Matthew 22:1-22

Jesus told another parable similar to that of the parable of the vineyard in chapter 21. In this parable, a wedding feast was coming up and the king sent out his servants to call the invited to come, but no one came. Again, he sent out his servants to tell the people to come, but this time some of the people just ignored them while others actually killed the messengers. The king's response was to have them killed and their cities burned. He then had more servants go out and find whoever they could to come to the wedding. When the seats had been filled, the king looked at his guests and saw that there was one who was not wearing the proper wedding clothes. He had this man bound up and thrown out.

Once again, the ones who were originally invited represented the Jewish people. God gave them a chance to share in the party, but they didn't seem to want any part and even violently opposed coming in some cases. The party was then opened up to any who would come - that's the Gentiles. The one who did not have the right clothes represents those who represent themselves as Christians, but have not clothed themselves with Christ's righteousness.

It's strange to think that anyone would be so against going to a wedding feast, but that is precisely how some people react to the gospel message. For whatever reason, the good news of Christ doesn't appeal to them and some can get downright combative when approached about it. Others hear and come, but do not fully devote themselves to following Christ.


A group of the Pharisee's followers were sent to Jesus with some people who were devoted to Herod to ask Him if it was right to pay taxes to Caesar. They thought they had laid out a clever trap where He would not be able to answer without angering one group or the other, but Jesus was not so easily tricked. After pointing out whose image was on the coin used to pay the tax (Caesar's), He said to give to Caesar that which is Caesar's and to God that which is God's.

It is our duty as Christians to obey the laws of whatever government we find ourselves living under insofar as those laws do not contradict the laws of God. We cannot use our duty to God to shirk responsibilities like paying taxes.