Thematic Bible
Matthew 22:1 (show verse)
Once more Jesus answered them in parables.
Matthew 22:2 (show verse)
"The kingdom of heaven," he said, "may be compared to a king who made a wedding-feast for his son.
Matthew 22:3 (show verse)
"He sent out his slaves to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they did not want to come.
Matthew 22:4 (show verse)
"Again he sent out other slaves. 'Tell the invited guests,' he said, 'that my luncheon is now ready; my oxen and fat cattle are killed; everything is ready; come to the wedding-feast.'
Matthew 22:5 (show verse)
"They, however, paid no attention, but went off, one to his own farm, another to his business;
Matthew 22:6 (show verse)
"while the rest seized his slaves and maltreated and murdered them.
Matthew 22:7 (show verse)
"Then the king's wrath was roused, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
Matthew 22:8 (show verse)
"Then he said to his slaves, "'The wedding-feast indeed is ready, but the invited guests were not worthy.
Matthew 22:9 (show verse)
"'So go out into the partings of the highways, and summon everybody you find there to the wedding-feast.'
Matthew 22:10 (show verse)
"So those slaves went out into the roads, and gathered together all whom they found, good or bad, and the banquet-hall was filled with the guests.
Matthew 22:11 (show verse)
"Then the king came in to inspect his guests, and he discovered there a man who had not put on a wedding-garment. He said to him,
Matthew 22:12 (show verse)
"'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding-garment?' "The man was speechless.
Matthew 22:13 (show verse)
"'Bind him hand and foot, 'said the king to his officers, 'and cast him into the outer darkness; there will be the wailing and the gnashing of teeth.'
Matthew 22:14 (show verse)
"For there are many called, but few are chosen."
Matthew 22:15 (show verse)
Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might ensnare him during conversation.
Matthew 22:16 (show verse)
So they sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know that you are honest, and that you are teaching the way of God in sincerity; and are not afraid of any one, for you do not court men's favor.
Matthew 22:17 (show verse)
"Give us your advice, then. Is it allowable to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"
Matthew 22:18 (show verse)
And Jesus, because he knew their malice, said:
Matthew 22:19 (show verse)
"Hypocrites! Why are you tempting me? Show me the tribute money." So they brought him a shilling.
Matthew 22:20 (show verse)
"Whose likeness and inscription is this?" he asked.
Matthew 22:21 (show verse)
"Caesar's," they answered. Then he said to them, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's."
Matthew 22:22 (show verse)
When they heard this they were astonished, and left him and went away.
Matthew 22:23 (show verse)
That very day there came to him some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection. and they questioned him.
Matthew 22:24 (show verse)
"Master," they said, "Moses taught that if a man dies without issue, his brother is to marry the widow, and raise up a family for his brother.
Matthew 22:25 (show verse)
"Now there were of our number seven brothers; and the first married and died. As he had no children, he left his wife to his brother;
Matthew 22:26 (show verse)
"In the same way the second also died, and the third, unto the seventh.
Matthew 22:27 (show verse)
"Last of all the woman died.
Matthew 22:28 (show verse)
"In the resurrection, then, whose wife will she be? They all had her."
Matthew 22:29 (show verse)
In answer Jesus said: "You err because you do not know the Scriptures, nor the power of God.
Matthew 22:30 (show verse)
"For in the resurrection men do not marry, nor are women given in marriage, but they are like angels in heaven.
Matthew 22:31 (show verse)
"But concerning the resurrection of the dead, did you never read what was spoken to you by God,
Matthew 22:32 (show verse)
"I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."
Matthew 22:33 (show verse)
And when the crowds heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.
Matthew 22:34 (show verse)
As soon as the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered themselves together,
Matthew 22:35 (show verse)
and one of them, a lawyer, tested him by asking a question.
Matthew 22:36 (show verse)
"Master, which is the great commandment in the law?"
Matthew 22:37 (show verse)
Jesus answered, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Matthew 22:38 (show verse)
"This is the great and first commandment.
Matthew 22:39 (show verse)
"The second, which is like it, is this, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Matthew 22:40 (show verse)
"On those two commandments hang the whole law and the prophets."
Matthew 22:41 (show verse)
Now while the Pharisees were together, Jesus put this question to them.
Matthew 22:42 (show verse)
"What is your opinion concerning the Christ? Whose Son is he?" "David's," they answered.
Matthew 22:43 (show verse)
"How then, "he said, "does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying,
Matthew 22:44 (show verse)
"The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand Until I put thine enemies beneath thy feet?
Matthew 22:45 (show verse)
"If David calls him Lord, how can he be his Son?"
Matthew 22:46 (show verse)
No one could answer him a word, nor did any one dare from that day to ask him another question.