Nazarene Commentary 2000©
21st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures©
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21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures©
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THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO:
QUESTIONS ANSWERED AND UNANSWERED
[“Trick Questions”]
(Key word: Marriage)
Matthew 22:1-6 – Parable of Invitation to a Marriage
|| Luke 14:16-22
MT22:1 Jesus continued to answer the priests, Scribes and Jewish elders with more parables, saying:
MT22:2 “The Realm of Heaven may be compared to a human king who prepared a wedding feast for his son.
| 1271 | Realm of Heaven may be compared to: Research Realm of Heaven and notes elsewhere. There is something about the
Church (the realm of profession; the Kingdom of Heaven). Of course, there are elements in the parable directed to the Jewish religious hierarchy. |
| 1272 | King: Yehowah, God of the Jews, the Father of Jesus Christ. |
| 1273 |
A wedding feast: Or, KJV: wedding; RSV: marriage feast; TCNT: banquet. Compare Revelation 19:9 and 2 Corinthians 11:2 (Ephesians 5:32). |
| 1274 | Son: ‘Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God,’ as Peter declares. |
MT22:3 Now the king sent out his slaves to call everyone invited to the wedding feast but they were unwilling to come.
| 1275 | Slaves: Some would include the ancient prophets here, however, it is more likely these slaves represented John and his disciples as well as those seventy Jesus sent out to invite Jews to the Realm of Heaven. |
| 1276 | Invited: The Greek word is KEKLEMENOUS (KEKLEMENOIS) and is either rendered by “invite” or “call.” Or, KNX: summons. Jesus said he came “only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Those invited here are those Jews in the nation of Israel who have the covenant promise of a “kingdom.” (Exodus 19:6) |
| 1277 | Unwilling to come: As a nation the Jews reject Jesus and the opportunity he offers. Compare what the prophet foretold – Isaiah 52:13-53:3. |
MT22:4 Again the king sent out more slaves, saying, ‘Tell everyone invited, “Look! I have prepared my supper. My bulls and fattened animals have been slaughtered. Everything is ready! Come to the wedding feast!”’
| 1278 | I have prepared my supper: Whether one viewed the entire outworking of God’s purpose involved in this preparation,
with the coming of Messiah “preparations” have reached a key phase now. |
MT22:5 But those [invited] were disinterested and went away, one person to a field, another person to the emporium.
| 1279 | Those [invited] were disinterested: Or, KJV: made light of it; KNX: paid no heed; LAM: sneered at it. |
| 1280 | To a field: Or, KJV: farm; MOF: estate; WEY: his home in the country. |
| 1281 | The emporium: The Greek is EMPORIAN. Or, KJV: merchandise; MOF: business; NW: commercial business. |
MT22:6 However, others grabbed the slaves of the king and after abusing them murdered them. | 1282 | Abusing them murdered them: Or, ASV: treated them shamefully and killed them; NEB: attacked them brutally; MON: maltreated. |
Matthew 22:7-10 – Invitations after City’s Destruction
|| Luke 14:23, 24
MT22:7 “Now the king became extremely angry. He sent off his armies and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.
| 1283 | Extremely angry: Or, KJV: wroth; KNX: fell into a rage; NEB: furious; RHM: provoked to anger. |
MT22:8 Then he told his slaves, ‘The wedding feast is prepared but those invited were unworthy.
| 1284 | Those invited were unworthy: Or, NEB: the guests I invited did not deserve the honour; PME: were not good enough for
it. |
MT22:9 So now be on your way onto the trade routes and invite everyone you meet to the
wedding feast.’
| 1285 | The trade routes: Or, KJV: highways; RHM: crossways of the roads; RSV: thoroughfares. |
| 1286 | Invite everyone: This is the second invitation. The first was one of natural birthright for the Jews who as a nation proved
unworthy. Now “everyone” (the Greek is HOSOUS; compare John 1:12, 13) is invited without a limit to the number of those called. |
MT22:10 Having left on the roads those slaves gathered together everyone they found, both wicked and good. And the wedding room was filled with all those reclining at the table.| 1287 | Gathered together everyone: The Greek is SYNEGAGOU. Or, TCNT: collected. |
| 1288 | Wicked and good: Or, KJV: bad and good; KNX: rogues and honest. Peoples with different kinds of pasts. |
| 1289 | Wedding room: Or, TCNT: bridal-hall. |
| 1290 | Filled with all: There will come a time after the Gospel Age when the room is full. |
Matthew 22:11-13 – King’s Inspection and Marriage Garments
MT22:11 “Now when the king arrived to view those reclining at the festival table he saw there a person
without a wedding garment.
| 1291 | When the king arrived: This is the Parousia and the parousia-judgment. Note the “arrival” of the
Most High in Daniel 7:22. Compare related parables at Matthew 24:44-25:46. Consider Daniel 12:1, 2; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 John 2:28; 1 John 4:17. |
| 1292 | To view: Or, MON: to inspect. |
| 1293 | Without a wedding
garment: See Revelation 19:8. Like all weddings the invited guests dress appropriately to the occasion. This person dresses in such a way to make it obvious he is out of place at these festivities. Our dress often reveals something about us and our attitudes. |
MT22:12 The king said to this person, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ But, the person could not answer.
| 1294 | Friend: Or, NW: Fellow. |
| 1295 | The person could not answer: Or, KJV: speechless; RHM: put to silence; KNX: made no reply; MON: lips were sealed. |
MT22:13 Then
the king said to the servants, ‘Bind both hands and feet and cast this person into the darkness outside. There will be lamentation and grinding of teeth.’| 1296 | Servants: The Greek is DIAKONOIS and is often rendered “minister.” It is possible these are the “angels” of Matthew 13:41 and Matthew 25:31. Compare Hebrews 1:14. |
| 1297 | The darkness outside: Compare notes on Matthew 8:12, Matthew 13:42, Matthew 24:51, Matthew 25:30. |
Matthew 22:14 – Many Invited – Few Chosen
MT22:14 “For many are invited but few chosen.” | 1298 | Many are invited: The Greek is KLETOI and is rendered by either “invited” or “called.” We can say with a surety that this “many” includes millions of Jews who as a nation had the promise of Exodus 19:6. |
| 1299 | Few chosen: The Greek is EKLEKTOI from which comes “elected.” The phrase may be: “many called but few elected.” Research the word chosen as a common term used for disciples of the Nazarene. Compare Revelation 17:14. See notes on Matthew 7:14 and read Luke 13:23. It is one thing to be “invited” and it is another to be finally “chosen.” As Jesus’ parable at Matthew 13:3-9 shows there are many who hear the invitation but do not last. Compare 1 John 2:19. |
Matthew 22:15-22 – Caesar’s Things and God’s Things
|| Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26
MT22:15 Now then the Pharisees departed and took counsel so that they might entrap Jesus in what he said.
MT22:16 So they sent off their disciples along with Herodians
and asked Jesus: “Teacher, we know you are truthful
and you teach the way of The God in truth. You are not influenced by anyone
for you do not judge by the human appearance.
| 1300 | Herodians: This is an interesting “trap” because the Herodians were opposed to the Pharisees politically.
The Pharisees do not want Jesus to know they have sent them (Mark 3:6). |
| 1301 | We know you are truthful:
This is real two-faced hypocrisy. |
| 1302 | Not influenced by anyone: Or, KNX: holdest no one in awe;
MON: not afraid of anyone; GDSP: (teach) regardless of the consequences. |
| 1303 | Do not judge by the human
appearance: Or, RHM: thou lookest not unto the face of men; BER: you court no one’s favor; GDSP: you are impartial. |
MT22:17 So, tell us your view:
Is it lawful to pay tax to Caesar
or not?”
| 1304 | Tell us your view: Or, NEB: give us your ruling on this; GDSP: give us your opinion. |
| 1305 | Pay tax to Caesar: A sensitive issue with these political moderates. Or, KJV: tribute; RIEU: capitation tax; NW: head tax. |
MT22:18 But Jesus, realizing their wicked [motives],
asked them,
“Hypocrites, why do you test me?
| 1306 | Realizing their wicked [motives]: Or, RSV: aware of their malice; RIEU: knew their evil ways. |
MT22:19 Show me the tax coin.”
They produced to Jesus a denarius.
MT22:20 So Jesus asked them,
“Whose image is this on the inscription?”
MT22:21 They responded: “Caesar’s.” Then Jesus told them,
“So, return to Caesar the things belonging to Caesar; and, [return to] The God the things belonging to The God.”
| 1307 | [Return to] The God the things belonging to The God: Or, RIEU: what is due God. What are these? Life. Worship. |
MT22:22 Hearing this they wondered and departing they went away.
Matthew 22:23-28 – Sadducees Question on the Resurrection
|| Mark 12:18-23; Luke 20:27-33
MT22:23 On that same day the Sadducees
approached Jesus. Not believing in the resurrection,
they asked Jesus,
| 1308 | Sadducees: See the notes on Matthew 3:7. |
| 1309 | Resurrection: The Greek is ANASTASEI means again + stand. A synonym for it is raised up. Research the word resurrection. For a thorough considering see Where are
the Dead? |
MT22:24 “Teacher, Moses said
that
if a man should die without children his brother should take in marriage his woman and raise up his brother’s seed.
[Deuteronomy 25:5]
| 1310 | Moses said: The Sadducees only accepted the five books of Moses as inspired of God. They allude to Deuteronomy 25:5.
Compare also Ruth 1:11; 3:13. This is called “brother-in-law marriage” and though it may seem quaint to a modern western world the need to preserve the family, tribe, and nation were obsessive to the Israelites. Jesus himself is the product of such a relationship (see the book of Ruth). |
| 1311 | Seed: The Greek is SPERMA. |
MT22:25 Now we had seven brothers and the first one died without children and so his woman
was released to his brother.
| 1312 | His woman: Or, “wife.” See notes elsewhere under wife. |
MT22:26 This happened also with the second, the third, and finally all seven brothers.
MT22:27 In the end the woman died.
MT22:28 Therefore, in the resurrection to which of the seven will the woman belong? For all seven had her.”
Matthew 22:29-33 – Resurrection Proof from Moses
|| Mark 12:24-27; Luke 20:34-40
MT22:29 Now Jesus answered them:
“Not knowing the Scriptures or the dynamism of The God, you are mistaken.
| 1313 | Not knowing the Scriptures: A powerful thing to say to Jewish scholars. It is proof what the others had said earlier
in verse 16. |
| 1314 | Dynamism: The Greek is DYNAMIN as is generally translated “power.” |
MT22:30 For in the resurrection men do not marry nor are women given in marriage but they are like the angels in heaven.
| 1315 | Men do not marry: “Men” are inferred by the phrase and context. |
| 1316 | Women given in marriage: “Women” are inferred by the phrase and context. |
| 1317 | They are like the angels in heaven: That is celibate spirits. Compare Galatians 3:28. |
MT22:31But concerning the subject of the resurrection of the dead did you never read what The God said to you:
MT22:32 ‘I am The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob’?
[Exodus 3:16]
He is not The God of the dead but of those alive.”
| 1318 | I am The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob: The quote is from Exodus 3:6 (Compare Exodus 6:3). There are far better
verses Jesus could quote to prove the resurrection in the Scriptures. However, the Sadducees only accepted the first five books of Moses. So this is an adept rabbinical move on the part of the Nazarene to find the resurrection in such a vague phrase. |
| 1319 | But of those alive: Or, Luke 20:38 adds, “… for they are all living to him.” The dead are unconscious
in sleep and reside within the memory of God (Job 14:12-14). From this standpoint dead Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob sleep within the Mind of God. |
MT22:33 Upon hearing this the crowds were astounded
at his teaching.
Matthew 22:34-40 – Which Is the Greatest Commandment?
|| Mark 12:28-31; Luke 10:25-28
MT22:34 Having heard that Jesus had hushed the Sadducees they gathered together as a body.
MT22:35 One of them educated in the Law tested Jesus,
MT22:36 “Teacher, which kind of commandment is the greatest in the Law?”
MT22:37 Now Jesus responded,
“‘You shall love YHWH
your God with your complete heart, your total person, and your whole mind.’
[Deuteronomy 6:5]
| 1320 | You shall love YHWH: The quote is from Deuteronomy 6:5. In the Hebrew Text (as well as the earlier versions of the Jewish Greek Septuagint) the Tetragram YHWH occurred. Whether Jesus actually uttered the Divine Name is a subject of debate. It is likely that he did not but followed the Jewish custom of substituting ADONAI or “Lord.” |
| 1321 | Your complete heart, your total person, and your whole mind: Or, KJV: all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all they mind. Mark 12:30 adds, “… and with your whole strength.” |
MT22:38 This is the greatest and premier commandment.
MT22:39 A second [commandment] is similar,
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
[Leviticus 19:18]
| 1322 | You shall love your neighbor as yourself: The quote is from Leviticus 19:18. |
MT22:40 The entire Law, and the Prophets, hang on these two
commandments.”| 1323 | Hang on these two: Or, RHM: all the law is contained; WEY: summed up in these two. Paul virtually quotes the Nazarene at Romans 13:10 and Galatians 5:14. |
Matthew 22:41-46 – Jesus Asks a Trump Question
|| Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41-44
MT22:41 Now as the Pharisees were all together, Jesus inquired of them, asking:
MT22:42 “What is your opinion about
the Messiah? Whose son is he?”
They answered, “[Son] of David.”
| 1324 | Messiah: The English words Messiah and Christ mean the same thing. Messiah (the Anointed) is rooted in Hebrew, while
Christ (the Christened One) in Greek. The idea of a foretold coming one who will be anointed by Yehowah is based on Psalm 2:1, Isaiah 61:1, and Daniel 9:26. |
MT22:43 Jesus responded
to them,
“How then could David under inspiration call
Messiah ‘Master,’ when he says,
| 1325 | David under inspiration call Messiah ‘Master,’ when he says: Jesus is to quote one of the most quotable
verses in the Christian Bible: Psalm 110:1 (Acts 2:34, 35; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Hebrews 1:13; 10:12, 13; 1 Peter 3:22). It is also a text Jesus often combines with Daniel 7:13 in a conflate: ‘Son of Man at the right hand of God.’ By inspiration
David discerns the Messiah of Psalm 2:1 is his future “Lord” upon his resurrection from the dead. It is clear from Psalm 110:1 that Messiah (Jesus Christ) is not Yehowah. In the KJV there are two “Lords” one is in all caps. |
MT22:44 ‘YHWH
said to my Master, “Sit at My right hand until I put your enemies beneath your feet.”’ [Psalm 110:1]
| 1326 | YHWH: In Psalm 110:1, both in the Hebrew Text and in the Jewish Greek Septuagint the four letters of the Tetragram, which stand
for the Name of God, appear. See notes elsewhere on whether Jesus vocalized a Name the Jews were forbidden to pronounce. The fact the Jews never make an issue over this as a charge against Jesus (as in the case of the Sabbath) may indicate he followed their
tradition. |
| 1327 | Sit at My right hand: We have inspired quotations of Psalm 110:1 indicating Messiah
begins his rule upon his return to heaven (1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 1:19-22). The prophet Daniel foretold this ascension to a heavenly throne would occur during the period of Roman rule (Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:13). Jesus told his disciples and his religious
enemies that they would live to see his enthronement at the right hand of God (see the notes on Matthew 10:23, Matthew 16:28, Matthew 26:64). For details on Psalm 2:1-7 and Psalm 110:1 research these texts in Nazarene Apocalypse and NAZARENE PRINCIPLES within
Nazarene Commentary. |
| 1328 | Until: This time period stretches from the ascension of Jesus to heaven
(Daniel 7:13; John 6:62) until the end of his Thousand Year reign (1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Revelation 20:12-14). The view Jesus ‘waits to rule’ contradicts the above. Jesus ‘rules… waiting.’ |
MT22:45 So, if David calls
Messiah ‘Master’ how can
Messiah be his son?”
MT22:46 And none were able to answer the question of Jesus. From that day none dare test him any longer.
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Nazarene Commentary 2000©
Mark Heber Miller
©2000 All Rights Reserved
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