Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 22

MATTHEW CHAPTER 22

Spake—by parables. See Barnes "Matthew 13:3".

The kingdom of heaven. (See Barnes on Matthew 3:2).

The phrase here means, "God deals with man in his kingdom, or in regard to the dispensation of the gospel, as a certain king did," and so on. This parable undoubtedly refers to the rejection of the Jews and to the calling of the Gentiles. The gospel, with all its privileges, was offered to the Jewish people; but through their wickedness and pride they rejected it, and all its blessings were offered to the Gentiles and accepted. This is the general truth. Many circumstances are included to fill out the narrative, which cannot be particularly explained.

A marriage for his son. Rather, a marriage feast, or a feast on the occasion of the marriage of his son. The king here doubtless represents God, providing for the salvation of the world.

And sent forth his servants. These represent the messengers that God has sent to invite men to his kingdom.

To call them that were bidden. That is, to give notice to those who had previously been invited, that the feast was ready. It appears that there were two invitations, one considerably before the time, so that they might have an opportunity to prepare for it, and the other to give notice of the precise time when they were expected.

The wedding. The marriage feast. The same word in the original as in Matthew 22:2.

They would not come. They might have come if they chose, but they would not. So all the difficulty that sinners ever face regarding salvation is in the will. It is a fixed determination not to come and be saved.

Other servants: who might press it on their attention. So God repeats his message to sinners, when they reject it.

My dinner. This word literally denotes the meal taken about noon. It is also taken for a meal in general. As marriages were, among eastern nations, in the evening, it refers here to a meal taken at that time.

Fatlings. This word does not refer to any particular species of animals. It denotes any fat animals. As oxen are also mentioned, however, it refers here probably to lambs, or calves (2 Samuel 6:13; 1 Chronicles 15:26).

But they made light of it. Treated it with contempt, as a thing of no consequence: an exact representation of the conduct of sinners in regard to the gospel.

One to his farm, etc. So people are engaged so much in their worldly employment, that they pretend they have no time to attend to religion. The world is, in their view, of more value than God.

Merchandise. Commerce; trading.