Matthew 22:14
New International Version
“For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

New Living Translation
“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

English Standard Version
For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Berean Standard Bible
For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Berean Literal Bible
For many are called, but few chosen."

King James Bible
For many are called, but few are chosen.

New King James Version
“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

New American Standard Bible
For many are called, but few are chosen.”

NASB 1995
“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

NASB 1977
“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Legacy Standard Bible
For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Amplified Bible
For many are called (invited, summoned), but few are chosen.”

Christian Standard Bible
“For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

American Standard Version
For many are called, but few chosen.

Contemporary English Version
Many are invited, but only a few are chosen.

English Revised Version
For many are called, but few chosen.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Therefore, many are invited, but few of those are chosen to stay."

Good News Translation
And Jesus concluded, "Many are invited, but few are chosen."

International Standard Version
because many are invited, but few are chosen."

Majority Standard Bible
For many are called, but few are chosen.”

NET Bible
For many are called, but few are chosen."

New Heart English Bible
For many are called, but few chosen."

Webster's Bible Translation
For many are called, but few are chosen.

Weymouth New Testament
"For there are many called, but few chosen."

World English Bible
For many are called, but few chosen.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for many are called, and few chosen.”

Berean Literal Bible
For many are called, but few chosen."

Young's Literal Translation
for many are called, and few chosen.'

Smith's Literal Translation
For many are called, and few chosen.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For many are called, but few are chosen.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For many are called, but few are chosen.’ ”

New American Bible
Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

New Revised Standard Version
For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For many are invited, and few are chosen.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“For the called are many and the chosen are few.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For many are called, but few chosen.

Godbey New Testament
For many are called, but few elected.

Haweis New Testament
For many are called, but few elect.

Mace New Testament
thus many are called, but few are converted.

Weymouth New Testament
"For there are many called, but few chosen."

Worrell New Testament
For many are called, but few chosen.'"

Worsley New Testament
for there are many called, but few approved.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Banquet
13Then the king told the servants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14For many are called, but few are chosen.” 15Then the Pharisees went out and conspired to trap Jesus in His words.…

Cross References
Romans 8:30
And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.

2 Peter 1:10
Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble,

Revelation 17:14
They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.”

1 Corinthians 1:26-29
Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. / But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, ...

Ephesians 1:4-5
For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love / He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will,

John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth. / To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 9:11-24
Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, / not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” / So it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” ...

2 Timothy 1:9
He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.

Revelation 19:9
Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

Isaiah 55:1-3
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. / Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.

Isaiah 45:22
Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.

Isaiah 65:12
I will destine you for the sword, and you will all kneel down to be slaughtered, because I called and you did not answer, I spoke and you did not listen; you did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.”

Isaiah 66:4
So I will choose their punishment and I will bring terror upon them, because I called and no one answered, I spoke and no one listened. But they did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.”

Proverbs 1:24-26
Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, / because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction, / in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you,


Treasury of Scripture

For many are called, but few are chosen.

Matthew 7:13,14
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: …

Matthew 20:16
So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Luke 13:23,24
Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, …

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Matthew 22
1. The parable of the marriage of the king's son.
9. The vocation of the Gentiles.
12. The punishment of him who lacked a wedding garment.
15. Tribute ought to be paid to Caesar.
23. Jesus confutes the Sadducees for the resurrection;
34. answers which is the first and great commandment;
41. and puzzles the Pharisees by a question about the Messiah.














For many are called
The Greek word for "called" is "κλητοί" (klētoi), which implies an invitation or summons. In the context of the parable of the wedding banquet, this calling represents the universal invitation of the Gospel to all humanity. Historically, this reflects the Jewish understanding of being God's chosen people, yet Jesus expands this to include Gentiles, emphasizing the inclusivity of God's kingdom. The call is extended to "many," indicating the vast reach of God's grace and the open invitation to partake in His salvation.

but few are chosen
The term "chosen" comes from the Greek "ἐκλεκτοί" (eklektoi), meaning selected or elected. This phrase highlights the distinction between those who merely hear the call and those who respond appropriately to it. In a conservative Christian perspective, this can be seen as a reflection on the sovereignty of God in salvation, where divine election plays a role. The historical context of this phrase can be linked to the remnant theology found in the Old Testament, where only a faithful few remain true to God's covenant. Scripturally, it challenges believers to examine their response to God's call, urging a life of faith and obedience that aligns with being among the "chosen."

(14) Many are called.--(See Note on Matthew 20:16.) The "calling" answers, both verbally and in substance, to the "bidding" or invitation of the parable. The "chosen" are those who both accept the invitation and comply with its condition; those who, in the one parable, work in the vineyard, and in the other, array themselves with the wedding garment of holiness. The "choice," as far as the parable is concerned, appears as dependent upon the answer given to the calling. The further truth of an election "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father" (1Peter 1:2) is not here within view, but it follows necessarily on the assumption of that foreknowledge. The "choice," which in the parable comes as the close of all, must be thought of as having been present to the mind of the All-knowing from all eternity. No one can fix time limits for the thoughts of God, and say that at such a time a purpose came into His mind as it comes into the minds of men. We are compelled in such matters to use anthropomorphic language, but we should remember, as we do so, its necessary limitations.

Verse 14. - Many are called...chosen. The rejected guest is a type of a numerous class (see Matthew 20:6). All the Jews had first been called; then all the Gentiles; many were they who obeyed not the call; and of those who did come in, many were not of the inner election, of those, that is, whose life and character were worthy of the Christian name, showing the graces of faith, holiness, and love. Applying the parable generally, Origen (ap. I. Williams) says, "If any one will observe the populous congregations, and inquire how many there are who live a better kind of life, and are being transformed in the renewing of their mind; and how many who are careless in their conversation and conformed to this world, he will perceive the use of this voice of our Saviour's, 'Many are called, but few chosen;' and in another place it has been said, 'Many will seek to enter in, and shall not be able' (Luke 13:24); and, 'Strive earnestly to enter in by the narrow gate; for few there be that find it' (Matthew 7:13, 14)."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γάρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

many
Πολλοὶ (Polloi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

are
εἰσιν (eisin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

called,
κλητοὶ (klētoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2822: From the same as klesis; invited, i.e. Appointed, or, a saint.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

few [are]
ὀλίγοι (oligoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3641: Puny; especially neuter somewhat.

chosen.”
ἐκλεκτοί (eklektoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1588: From eklegomai; select; by implication, favorite.


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Matthew 22:13
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