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The Parables.
#14.
The Marriage of the King's Son (Matt. 22: 1-14).
pp. 52 - 59
On page 43 of Volume IV & V we gave the arrangement of the Parables occurring
in Matt. 16:-25:, but as some of our readers may be unacquainted with it, we will take
out the two corresponding members in order that the place of the parable we are to
consider may be seen:--
B | 20: 1-16. The Householder and Vineyard.--The call to the labourers:--
1. Early.
\
2. Third hour.
\ Many called,
3. Sixth and ninth hours. / but few chosen.
4. Eleventh hour.
/
* * * * * * *
B | 22: 1-14. The Marriage.--The call to the guests:--
1. Bid those who were bidden. \
2. Again tell them.
\ Many called,
3. Go therefore to highways.
/
but few chosen.
4. The wedding garment.
/
It will be seen that we have something of a parallel, yet a contrast, for instead of a
householder we have a certain king, and instead of labourers we have guests. The
concluding words of each parable, however, are the same in the A.V., "Many called, but
few chosen." The retention of these words, however, in Matt. 20: 16 is extremely
doubtful, and we may be on more certain ground if we say that the closing words of the
Parable of the Labourers are, "So the last shall be first, and the first last," while the
closing words of the Parable of the Marriage Feast are, "For many are called, but few are
chosen."
The parable, like those which have already been considered, was addressed to the
Pharisees (cf. 21: 45, and 22: 1). "Jesus answered, and spake unto them again by
parables." It will be noticed, by the use of the word "again," that in the Parables of the
Householder, the Wicked Husbandmen, and the Marriage Feast, there is an emphasis
upon the fact that an action was repeated.
20: 5.
"Again, he went out about the sixth and ninth hour," after having hired two
sets before.
21: 36.
"Again, he sent other servants, more than the first," after the first
messengers were beaten and killed.
22: 4.
"Again, he sent forth other servants," after the refusal to come to the feast.
This element of longsuffering and renewal of invitation is a feature that is essentially a
part of the parable. Let us first of all examine the figures used, and then attempt with the
knowledge gained to understand its import.