Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 22:14

"For many are called, but few chosen." — Matthew 22:14 (ASV)

Jesus concludes with a pithy statement explaining the parable. Many are invited; but some refuse to come, and others who do come refuse to submit to the norms of the kingdom and are therefore rejected. Those who remain are called “chosen” (GK 1723), a word implicitly denying that the reversals in the parable in any way catch God unawares or remove sovereign grace from his control. At the same time it is clear from all three parables (21:28–22:14) that not the beginning but the end is crucial.