Matthew 22:8
New International Version
“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come.

New Living Translation
And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor.

English Standard Version
Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy.

Berean Standard Bible
Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited were not worthy.

Berean Literal Bible
Then he says to his servants, 'Indeed the wedding feast is ready, but those having been invited were not worthy.

King James Bible
Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

New King James Version
Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.

New American Standard Bible
Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.

NASB 1995
“Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.

NASB 1977
“Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were called were not worthy.

Amplified Bible
Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding [feast] is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.

Christian Standard Bible
“Then he told his servants, ‘The banquet is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“Then he told his slaves, The banquet is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.

American Standard Version
Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they that were bidden were not worthy.

Contemporary English Version
Then he said to the servants, "It is time for the wedding banquet, and the invited guests don't deserve to come.

English Revised Version
Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they that were bidden were not worthy.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Then the king said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited don't deserve the honor.

Good News Translation
Then he called his servants and said to them, 'My wedding feast is ready, but the people I invited did not deserve it.

International Standard Version
"Then he told his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.

Majority Standard Bible
Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited were not worthy.

NET Bible
Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but the ones who had been invited were not worthy.

New Heart English Bible
"Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited weren't worthy.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then he saith to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they who were invited were not worthy.

Weymouth New Testament
Then he said to his servants, "'The wedding banquet is ready, but those who were invited were unworthy of it.

World English Bible
“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited weren’t worthy.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
then he says to his servants, The wedding feast indeed is ready, and those called were not worthy,

Berean Literal Bible
Then he says to his servants, 'Indeed the wedding feast is ready, but those having been invited were not worthy.

Young's Literal Translation
then saith he to his servants, The marriage-feast indeed is ready, and those called were not worthy,

Smith's Literal Translation
Then says he to his servants, Truly the nuptial feast is prepared, and those called were not worthy.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then he saith to his servants: The marriage indeed is ready; but they that were invited were not worthy.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then he said to his servants: ‘The wedding, indeed, has been prepared. But those who were invited were not worthy.

New American Bible
Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come.

New Revised Standard Version
Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then he said to his servants, Now the marriage-feast is ready, and those who were invited were unworthy.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready, and those who were invited were not worthy.'
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then he said to his servants: The marriage feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.

Godbey New Testament
Then he says to his servants, The wedding is ready, but those having been invited were not worthy.

Haweis New Testament
Then he said to his servants, The wedding entertainment indeed is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy:

Mace New Testament
then he said to his servants, the feast is ready, but they who were invited were very unworthy.

Weymouth New Testament
Then he said to his servants, "'The wedding banquet is ready, but those who were invited were unworthy of it.

Worrell New Testament
Then he says to his servants, 'The marriage feast, indeed is ready; but those who had been invited were not worthy;

Worsley New Testament
Then saith he to his servants, The feast is ready, but they that were invited were not worthy of it:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Banquet
7The king was enraged, and he sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city. 8Then he said to his servants, The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited were not worthy. 9Go therefore to the crossroads and invite to the banquet as many as you can find.’…

Cross References
Luke 14:21-24
The servant returned and reported all this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ / ‘Sir,’ the servant replied, ‘what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.’ / So the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. ...

Revelation 19:7-9
Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. / She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints. / 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.

Romans 11:20-22
That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. / For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will certainly not spare you either. / Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

Acts 13:46
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.

John 1:11-12
He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. / But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—

Romans 9:30-33
What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; / but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. / Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, ...

Isaiah 65:1-2
“I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. To a nation that did not call My name, I said, ‘Here I am! Here I am!’ / All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations,

Matthew 21:43
Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

Acts 18:6
But when they opposed and insulted him, he shook out his garments and told them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

Hosea 2:23
And I will sow her as My own in the land, and I will have compassion on ‘No Compassion.’ I will say to those called ‘Not My People,’ ‘You are My people,’ and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”

Romans 10:19-21
I ask instead, did Israel not understand? First, Moses says: “I will make you jealous by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation without understanding.” / And Isaiah boldly says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me.” / But as for Israel he says: “All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

Luke 13:28-30
There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are thrown out. / People will come from east and west and north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God. / And indeed, some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.”

Isaiah 49:6
He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Matthew 8:11-12
I say to you that many will come from the east and the west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. / But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”


Treasury of Scripture

Then said he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

The wedding.

Matthew 22:4
Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

but.

Matthew 10:11-13,37,38
And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence…

Luke 20:35
But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

Luke 21:36
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

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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.














Then he said
This phrase indicates a continuation of a narrative, suggesting a direct command or instruction. In the context of the parable of the wedding banquet, it reflects the authority of the king, representing God, who communicates His will to His servants. The Greek word for "said" is "εἶπεν" (eipen), which is often used in the New Testament to denote a declaration of importance or a divine pronouncement. This highlights the seriousness and the divine authority behind the message being conveyed.

to his servants
The "servants" in this parable symbolize the prophets and messengers of God throughout history, including the apostles and early Christian evangelists. The Greek term "δοῦλοι" (douloi) implies a bond-servant, one who is committed to the will of their master. This reflects the role of God's messengers as those who are dedicated to carrying out His commands and spreading His message, regardless of personal cost or sacrifice.

The wedding banquet
The "wedding banquet" is a metaphor for the Kingdom of Heaven, a recurring theme in Jesus' parables. In ancient Jewish culture, a wedding feast was a grand celebration, often lasting several days, symbolizing joy, unity, and the fulfillment of promises. The Greek word "γάμος" (gamos) refers to both the marriage ceremony and the feast, emphasizing the communal and celebratory nature of God's invitation to eternal life and fellowship with Him.

is ready
This phrase signifies the preparedness and immediacy of God's Kingdom. The Greek word "ἕτοιμος" (hetoimos) means prepared or ready, indicating that everything necessary for the celebration has been completed. It underscores the urgency of responding to God's invitation, as the time for acceptance is now, and the opportunity is present.

but those I invited
The "invited" refers to the initial recipients of God's covenant promises, primarily the Jewish people. The Greek word "κεκλημένοι" (keklēmenoi) is derived from "καλέω" (kaleō), meaning to call or invite. This highlights the graciousness of God in extending His invitation to those He has chosen, yet it also sets the stage for the tragic reality of their rejection.

were not worthy
This phrase addresses the response of those who were initially invited. The Greek word "ἄξιοι" (axioi) means worthy or deserving. In the context of the parable, it reflects the idea that worthiness is not based on heritage or prior status but on the response to God's invitation. The rejection of the invitation by the original guests signifies a failure to recognize and accept the grace and opportunity offered by God, thus rendering them unworthy of the blessings of the Kingdom. This serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of responding to God's call with faith and obedience.

Verse 8. - Then saith he. This is supposed to take place after the destruction of the murderers and their city; and, indeed, the final rejection of the Jews and the substitution of the Gentiles were consummated by the overthrow of Jerusalem and the Hebrew polity. The wedding is ready. God's great design is not frustrated by the neglect of those first invited, only the guests are changed. Not worthy. Their unworthiness was proved by their rejection of the gracious call, as the worthiness of those subsequently called consisted in their acceptance thereof. The passage is well illustrated by the language of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:46, 47).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
τότε (tote)
Adverb
Strong's 5119: Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.

he said
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

to
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

servants,
δούλοις (doulois)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1401: (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.

‘The
(Ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

wedding banquet
γάμος (gamos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1062: A marriage, wedding, wedding-ceremony; plur: a wedding-feast. Of uncertain affinity; nuptials.

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

ready,
ἕτοιμός (hetoimos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2092: Ready, prepared. From an old noun heteos; adjusted, i.e. Ready.

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

those
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

I invited
κεκλημένοι (keklēmenoi)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2564: (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.

were
ἦσαν (ēsan)
Verb - Imperfect 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.

not
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

worthy.
ἄξιοι (axioi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 514: Worthy, worthy of, deserving, comparable, suitable. Probably from ago; deserving, comparable or suitable.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 22:8 Then he said to his servants 'The (Matt. Mat Mt)
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