Bible Strands
Matthew 22:3
He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus tells a parable about a king preparing a wedding banquet for his son. The narrative moment captures the king’s initial dispatch of servants to summon the guest list before the feast’s full details are delivered.
The words — ἀπέστειλεν (apesteilen) denotes the king’s active dispatching of his servants. κεκλημένους (keklēmenous) identifies the guests as those already designated for attendance.
The thread — The refusal to attend the king’s feast parallels the rejection of divine invitation in John 5:40. The open summons to the thirsty in Revelation 22:17 extends the same banquet motif to its eschatological conclusion.
Why it lands — The text records a direct refusal by the invited guests to respond to the king’s summons. It demands a reader acknowledge the consequences of rejecting an explicit, authoritative call.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
Cross-references
- Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.
- Luke 14:15 When one of those reclining with Him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is everyone who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
- John 5:40 yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.
- Psalms 81:10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth, and I will fill it.
- Hosea 11:7 My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them.
- Matthew 3:2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
- Romans 10:21 But as for Israel he says: “All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”
- 1 Samuel 9:13 As soon as you enter the city, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; after that, the guests will eat. Go up at once; you will find him.”
- Psalms 68:11 The Lord gives the command; a great company of women proclaim it:
- Proverbs 1:24 Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand,