2025 Study of Matthew’s Gospel

THE PARABLE OF THE WEDDING BANQUET

Matthew 22:1-22

Key Verse: 22:1-2

1. Read verses 1-2. According to this parable, what is the kingdom of heaven like? Who do the king and the son represent? Why did God prepare the wedding banquet for his son (Rev 19:6 and 7)?
2. Read verses 3-7. Who do the invited guests and the king’s servants represent? What was their first response to the king’s invitation? How did the king react to the refusal, and what does this teach us about God (Deut 7:6-8)? How did the invited guests respond to the king’s second invitation, and what does this tell us about sinful man? What did the king do?
3. Read verses 8-10. How did the king fill the wedding hall? Who do these guests represent? What does the king’s decision tell us about God’s salvation work (Rom 11:11)? What does this reveal about God's grace and the nature of the church?
4. Read verses 11-14. What do wedding clothes symbolize (Rev 3:5; Rom 13:14; Isa 61:10)? Who does the man without wedding clothes represent? What happened to the man without wedding clothes? How can we prepare wedding clothes for the heavenly banquet? What does verse 14 mean?
5. Read verses 15-22. How did the Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus? How did Jesus answer? What does this teach us about our responsibility to our nation and God? Think about responsibility and commitment as a dual citizen of this world and the kingdom of heaven.