What if your son or daughter were getting married, and no one wanted to come? What if you sent out invitations to the rehearsal dinner, and no one sent an RSVP? What would happen?
In Matthew 22:1-14, Jesus describes these conditions in the parable of the wedding banquet. He relates the kingdom of God to an allegorical depiction of a wedding banquet for which a king sends out customary invitations. In a culture where most people did not read, few formal written invitations were sent. Instead, a band of servants usually scattered to invite people to the “party of the century.” A party thrown by a king would be outstanding.
According to some Jewish traditions, the wedding feast lasted a full week or two. Guests planned to stay for a while. In Jesus’ parable, since the wedding is for the king’s son, not everyone is invited to the festivities; but those who are invited receive royal treatment.
The first invitation prepares people for the arrangements (22:1-3). This formal announcement gave people time to make plans. A second invitation followed soon thereafter so people could know when the festivities began. With no refrigeration, people needed to drop everything at once to enjoy the slaughtered bull, sheep, and other delicacies (Scott, Hear then the Parable, 169).
When the servants arrive for the customary second invitation, the response is naturally surprising (22:4). People have had time to clear their schedules, but they still give excuses. Another group follows to issue more invitations. Their listeners give all sorts of excuses why they refuse to come, and they kill the servants. Everyone listening to Jesus’ story knew who he was talking about. He was describing the reaction of Jewish leaders to himself. God sent out invitations to the banquet. People refused to come, offering various excuses, and then they killed off the messengers—the prophets—thinking that would prevent people from coming to the party.
In the parable, the people’s reaction makes the king more eager to invite others to the banquet. To paraphrase, he says, “If I cannot get the wealthy and the connected to come to my party, I will just make sure someone shows up.” He sends more messengers to the poor sections of the country and says, “We have a seat for you.”
Jesus explained that God involves people in his kingdom in a similar way. Using the same imagery employed when he forgave sins (9:15), Jesus said the kingdom is like a wedding for God’s Son. God has invited people to join him at the wedding feast of his Son Jesus Christ. Who would refuse an invitation like that? Surprisingly, the first ones invited did. God sent his servants to ask even more to come. By implication, Jewish people were the first two groups to receive invitations and Gentiles the third. Another surprise awaited. Jesus indicated that accepting an invitation, knowing the groom as a “friend” (22:12-13), and attending the wedding are not enough. One must be clothed correctly, or prepared through one’s obedient living, in order to enter the feast (Garland, Reading Matthew, 225).
