Matthew 22:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Not only is it regrettable that they failed to respond, but it is far more tragic and foolish that they treated those who did come with such disdain, maltreating and even murdering them; this situation is much worse than the earlier one. Initially, they demanded fruit, and those who arrived were slain. Now, messengers from the very one they murdered come to invite them to a wedding celebration, and they likewise kill these messengers. What could be more heartless than this? The Apostle Paul rebuked them by stating: "they also killed the Lord Jesus and His prophets, and they cast us out" (1 Thess. 2:15). Furthermore, to preclude any assertions that they were rejecting God’s envoy, listen to what the inviters proclaim: The Father prepares a wedding feast and issues His call. What happens next?

The parable does not mention the servants murdering the bridegroom; rather, the king’s disdain for the wedding celebration was solely shown through the execution of his servants.

What utter disgrace! They not only refused to attend, but they also derided and murdered those who were dispatched to them. In the earlier parable, they took the lives of those who sought to gather the harvest, while in this one, they executed those who invited them to a wedding celebration. What could ever match such insanity? As the king exhibited ever more patience and compassion, they only grew more enraged and obstinate.

However, it is crucial to note that many not only deny the grace of the One who calls them but also actively persecute those who bear the message.

The Gospel narrates that the King, who is the Father, dispatched additional servants with the message, "Invite those who are summoned: my feast is prepared, my chosen guests are ready, all is set for the wedding banquet." However, they disregarded this call, returning to their own homes and attending to their personal interests. Furthermore, others mistreated the servants, causing harm and put them to death (Matthew 22:4-6). Here, the second group of servants mentioned by the Lord refers to His holy apostles. What does this banquet represent? It signifies the heavenly kingdom, which God has established since the creation of the world for those who willingly choose to partake in it.

The union of the glorious and beautiful Son of the King is described in the Gospels, particularly in Matthew 22:1-14, by the Bridegroom Himself, who shines with unparalleled goodness and is as pure and faultless as can be. In His very essence and through His own actions, He has accomplished all that is required for the Sacrament of Marriage.

Yet, the other Jewish leaders not only rejected Christ but also harmed His followers, the God-sent proclaimers of the Apostles. Some, like the first martyr Stephen and James, the brother of John, faced execution; others, including Peter, John, and various Apostles, suffered ridicule, beatings, and were pursued to death (Acts 7:59, Acts 12:2, Acts 4:5).

However, this was insufficient: among those summoned, some responded with greater folly and cruelty. The others seized the king's servants, treated them with contempt, and even took their lives. It is undeniable that these disrespectful subjects would have acted similarly towards the king's son had the king personally sent him to summon them to the banquet. Regardless, by insulting the king’s heralds, they inflicted the gravest insult upon the king himself. The elevated status of the king and the significant purpose of the celebration only heightened the offenders’ wrongdoing.

When the king summoned his guests, they chose not to attend. He then issued another invitation, informing them that all preparations were complete and they merely needed to join the banquet. Yet, they still did not respond; some turned to their fields, others engaged in business, while others insulted and killed the servants he had sent to them. God prepared His kingdom for those deemed worthy of entry, and He extended His invitation to the marriage feast of His Son first to the Jews, His chosen people. He reached out to them through the prophets, but they were unresponsive to His call and did not take the path that would lead to this feast. He sent John the Baptist to plead with them, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’ (Matthew 3:2). Yet, they still did not come. He called them in the name of His Son, saying, ‘Come unto Me, all of you!’ However, they dismissed Him as merely a servant of the king and resolved to eliminate Him through murder.

They rejected the invitation of the king, demonstrating their disdain for the one who had extended it. Engrossed in their own affairs and pursuits, they paid no heed to the king’s call. This illustrates how an attachment to material possessions can hinder one’s ability to address greater spiritual aspirations. The self-serving attitudes of the Jews, embodied by their leaders, prevented them from accepting the kingdom of Christ. However, what is even more foolish and grievous is that they treated those who did come very poorly, reproaching them and ultimately taking their lives. They stoned Stephen, executed James, and mistreated the apostles.