V1           Jesus continues to use parables, to sift and challenge His hearers.

V2-4        The invitation to the banquet is repeated, a picture of the Lord’s patience. There is no charge, and the promise of great blessing.

V5           Those invited “paid no attention,” of ‘made light’ of the invitation, and, by implication, of Christ's things. They prefer material possessions, and go ‘their way.’ These are the people of the kingdom, the king’s subjects. Their refusal to come is therefore more serious, akin to rebellion; and hence the king sends his armies to destroy these who murdered his messengers.

V6           Others are antagonistic towards God’s servants; many mock the things of Christ, and mistreat those who follow Him.

V7                Judgment falls on those who refuse to believe, see 21.41, 43; ultimately, they are the losers.

V8-10      All are invited, “both good and bad.”

V11-14    One man is missing his “wedding clothes,” speaking of the righteousness of Christ, by which we are acceptable in the sight of God. Some do not understand the invitation; they think they are accepted when they are not.

                God calls many out of the world to His feast; but few, those chosen, respond in true faith.

V15         The religious leaders, conscious of the Lord’s searing words against them, return to the attack. But the Lord uses each question, whether genuine or trick, to challenge them afresh. Such attacks on the Son of Man are futile, for Christ can never be defeated. Their intention is to trap Jesus in His words.

V16-17    The religious leaders addressed Jesus as “Teacher,” not “Lord,” v24, 36.

V18-21    Jesus also addresses them differently; “hypocrites.” He never uses this with His disciples.

V22         The Pharisees are silenced, and the people are amazed.

V23-28    The Sadducees’ question, from a desire to bring Jesus down, rather than a desire to learn truth. They invent a ludicrous situation, mocking the resurrection, in which they refuse to believe.

V29         Their problem; they are ignorant of the Scriptures and the power of God. The Scriptures teach about both marriage and resurrection. The power of God is the power of resurrection.

V30         Marriage is something for this life; there is something better in the resurrection, although Jesus does not explain further.

V31-32    God has already spoken about the resurrection, saying to Moses, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” The Scripture is clear, for God is interested in life.

V33         The people are again astonished, and this time the Sadducees are silenced.

V34-36    The word translated “silenced,” may also be ‘gagged,’ or ‘muzzled.’ The Pharisees were doubtless pleased that the Sadducees had been defeated over the issue of the resurrection.

Having witnessed the previous answers, a Pharisee, an “expert in the law,” brings a third question to Jesus. This question seems not to have the malice attached to the previous ones.

V37-40    The greatest commandments, and no Jew would disagree here. Jesus proves Himself a genuinely orthodox Jew, perhaps the only one! Those religious leaders He addressed certainly held views outside of OT truth.

                The fact that all the OT teaching “hangs” on the two great commandments implies that all OT teaching is true, and that none can be omitted.

V41-45    Jesus’ question of Ps 110. The reality is that He must be seen as both God and man, Rom 1.3-4. David’s son is also David’s Lord.

V46         No-one dare ask Jesus further questions, compare 2 Sam 10.19; the folly of man being set against God. Here the Lord is seen to be victorious, although some admit defeat only grudgingly, and will not repent and believe.

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