Thematic Bible: The parable of the marriage banquet (in jerusalem)


Thematic Bible



upon which Jesus said, a certain man made a great entertainment; where many were invited. at supper-time he sent his servant to tell the guests to come, because every thing was ready. but they were all of a mind in making some excuse: the first said to him, I have bought a piece of ground, which I must needs go and see: therefore pray excuse me. read more.
another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, which I am going to prove: I beg you to excuse me. another said, I have married a wife: 'tis therefore impossible for me to come. so the servant return'd, and related the whole matter to his master, who in resentment said to his servant, go immediately into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring hither the poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind. at length the servant said, sir, your orders have been executed, and still there is room. the master reply'd, go then to the high-ways and by-paths, and compel them to come in, that my house may be full. for I tell you that not one of those, who were invited, shall taste of my supper.

And Jesus continued to speak to them in parables, and said, the kingdom of the Messiah is such, as when a certain king made a wedding-feast for his son. he sent out his servants to call those that were invited to the wedding: but they would not come. read more.
then he sent out other servants, saying, tell those who are invited, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and every thing is ready: come to the entertainment. but instead of showing any regard, they went their ways, one to his farm, another to his traffick. others seiz'd his servants, outrageously abused them, and slew them. when the king was informed of this, he was greatly incensed, and having order'd his forces to march, he put those murderers to death, and laid their city in ashes. then he said to his servants, the feast is ready, but they who were invited were very unworthy. go therefore into the high streets, and as many as ye find, invite to the marriage: accordingly they went about the streets, and assembled all they met indifferently, both good and bad: so that the hall was furnished with guests. but upon the king's coming in to see the guests, he observ'd one there without a wedding garment: and he said to him, friend, how came you in hither, without a wedding garment? and he was speechless. then said the king to the servants, bind him hand and foot, take him away, and turn him out in the dark: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. thus many are called, but few are converted.