Matthew 22:4
New International Version
“Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

New Living Translation
“So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’

English Standard Version
Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’

Berean Standard Bible
Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

Berean Literal Bible
Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Say to those having been invited, "Behold, I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and the fatlings have been killed, and all things are ready; come to the wedding feast."'

King James Bible
Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

New King James Version
Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.” ’

New American Standard Bible
Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened cattle are all butchered and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast!”’

NASB 1995
“Again he sent out other slaves saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast."’

NASB 1977
“Again he sent out other slaves saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast.”’

Legacy Standard Bible
Again he sent out other slaves saying, ‘Tell those who have been called, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast.”’

Amplified Bible
Then he sent out some other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Look, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fattened calves are butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast.”’

Christian Standard Bible
Again, he sent out other servants and said, ‘Tell those who are invited: See, I’ve prepared my dinner; my oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Again, he sent out other slaves, and said, Tell those who are invited: Look, I’ve prepared my dinner; my oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

American Standard Version
Again he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them that are bidden, Behold, I have made ready my dinner; my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come to the marriage feast.

Contemporary English Version
He sent other servants to say to the guests, "The banquet is ready! My cattle and prize calves have all been prepared. Everything is ready. Come to the banquet!"

English Revised Version
Again he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them that are bidden, Behold, I have made ready my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come to the marriage feast.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He sent other servants to tell the people who had been invited, 'I've prepared dinner. My bulls and fattened calves have been butchered. Everything is ready. Come to the wedding!'

Good News Translation
So he sent other servants with this message for the guests: 'My feast is ready now; my steers and prize calves have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast!'

International Standard Version
So he sent other servants after saying, 'Tell those who have been invited, "Look! I've prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened calves have been slaughtered. Everything is ready. Come to the wedding!"'

Majority Standard Bible
Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

NET Bible
Again he sent other slaves, saying, 'Tell those who have been invited, "Look! The feast I have prepared for you is ready. My oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet."'

New Heart English Bible
Again he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "Look, I have made ready my dinner. My cattle and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the marriage feast."'

Webster's Bible Translation
Again, he sent other servants, saying, Tell them who are invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come to the marriage.

Weymouth New Testament
"Again he sent other servants with a message to those who were invited. "'My breakfast is now ready," he said, 'my bullocks and fat cattle are killed, and every preparation is made: come to the wedding.'

World English Bible
Again he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner. My cattle and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding feast!”’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Again he sent forth other servants, saying, Say to those who have been called: Behold, I prepared my early meal, my oxen and the fatlings have been killed, and all things [are] ready, come to the wedding feasts;

Berean Literal Bible
Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Say to those having been invited, "Behold, I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and the fatlings have been killed, and all things are ready; come to the wedding feast."'

Young's Literal Translation
Again he sent forth other servants, saying, Say to those who have been called: Lo, my dinner I prepared, my oxen and the fatlings have been killed, and all things are ready, come ye to the marriage-feasts;

Smith's Literal Translation
And again, he sent other servants, saying, Say to the called: Behold, I have prepared my supper; my bulls and stall-fed killed, and all prepared: come to the nuptials.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that were invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my beeves and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come ye to the marriage.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Again, he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell the invited: Behold, I have prepared my meal. My bulls and fatlings have been killed, and all is ready. Come to the wedding.’

New American Bible
A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.” ’

New Revised Standard Version
Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Again he sent other servants and said, Tell those who are invited, Behold my supper is ready, and my oxen and fatlings are killed, and everything is prepared; come to the marriage- feast.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Again he sent other servants, and he said, “Tell those invited, 'Behold, my banquet is ready, and my oxen and my fatlings are killed, everything is prepared; come to the wedding feast.' “
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Again, he sent other servants, saying, Tell those who have been invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come to the marriage feast.

Godbey New Testament
And again he sent other servants, saying; Speak to those who have been called, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatling are slain, and all things are ready: come to the marriage.

Haweis New Testament
Again he sent other servants, saying, Tell those who have been invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and the fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come unto the marriage-feast.

Mace New Testament
then he sent out other servants, saying, tell those who are invited, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and every thing is ready: come to the entertainment.

Weymouth New Testament
"Again he sent other servants with a message to those who were invited. "'My breakfast is now ready," he said, 'my bullocks and fat cattle are killed, and every preparation is made: come to the wedding.'

Worrell New Testament
"Again he sent forth other servants, saying, 'Say to those who have been invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and fatlings have been slain, and all things are ready: come to the marriage feast.'

Worsley New Testament
Then he sent other servants, saying, Tell them that are invited, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come to the wedding.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Banquet
3He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come. 4Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ 5But they paid no attention and went away, one to his field, another to his business.…

Cross References
Luke 14:16-24
But Jesus replied, “A certain man prepared a great banquet and invited many guests. / When it was time for the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ / But one after another they all began to make excuses. The first one said, ‘I have bought a field, and I need to go see it. Please excuse me.’ ...

Revelation 19:7-9
Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. / She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints. / Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

Isaiah 25:6
On this mountain the LORD of Hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all the peoples, a feast of aged wine, of choice meat, of finely aged wine.

Proverbs 9:1-5
Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars. / She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. / She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city. ...

Luke 15:23-24
Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate. / For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.

John 6:50-51
This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die. / I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh.”

Isaiah 55:1-3
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. / Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.

Psalm 23:5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

John 2:1-11
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, / and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. / When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.” ...

Isaiah 65:13-14
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: “My servants will eat, but you will go hungry; My servants will drink, but you will go thirsty; My servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame. / My servants will shout for joy with a glad heart, but you will cry out with a heavy heart and wail with a broken spirit.

Matthew 8:11
I say to you that many will come from the east and the west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

John 4:10
Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. / Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old bread, leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth.

Isaiah 61:10
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Zephaniah 1:7
Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD, for the Day of the LORD is near. Indeed, the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has consecrated His guests.


Treasury of Scripture

Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatted calves are killed, and all things are ready: come to the marriage.

other.

Luke 10:1-16
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come…

Luke 24:46,47
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: …

Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Behold.

Proverbs 9:1,2
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: …

Song of Solomon 5:1
I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

John 6:50-57
This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die…

and all.

Matthew 22:8
Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

Nehemiah 9:17
And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.

Psalm 86:5
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

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Matthew 22
1. The parable of the marriage of the king's son.
9. The vocation of the Gentiles.
12. The punishment of him who lacked a wedding garment.
15. Tribute ought to be paid to Caesar.
23. Jesus confutes the Sadducees for the resurrection;
34. answers which is the first and great commandment;
41. and puzzles the Pharisees by a question about the Messiah.














Again, he sent other servants
This phrase emphasizes the persistence and patience of the king, representing God’s relentless pursuit of humanity. The Greek word for "again" (πάλιν, palin) suggests a repeated action, highlighting God's enduring grace and mercy. Historically, this reflects the continued sending of prophets and messengers throughout the Old Testament, urging Israel to return to God. The "servants" symbolize the prophets and, by extension, the apostles and early Christian missionaries who were sent to proclaim the Gospel.

and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited
The invitation is a metaphor for the call to salvation. The Greek word for "invited" (κεκλημένους, keklēmenous) is derived from the root "kaleō," meaning to call or summon. This reflects the divine initiative in salvation, where God calls individuals to partake in His kingdom. Historically, this invitation was first extended to the Jewish people, God's chosen nation, who were the initial recipients of His covenant promises.

that I have prepared my banquet
The "banquet" symbolizes the Messianic feast, a common Jewish eschatological image representing the blessings and fellowship in God's kingdom. The preparation indicates the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. The Greek word for "prepared" (ἡτοίμακα, hētoimaka) suggests a completed action, underscoring the readiness and sufficiency of God's provision for salvation.

My oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered
This phrase signifies the abundance and richness of God's provision. The "oxen and fattened cattle" represent the best and most valuable offerings, indicating the lavishness of God's grace. In a historical context, such a feast would be a grand and rare occasion, symbolizing the ultimate celebration in God's kingdom. The slaughtering of these animals points to the sacrificial system, fulfilled in Christ's ultimate sacrifice.

and everything is ready
This declaration underscores the completeness and immediacy of God's invitation. The Greek word for "ready" (ἕτοιμα, hetoima) conveys a sense of preparedness and urgency. In the scriptural context, it reflects the readiness of the kingdom of God, inaugurated by Christ's first coming and awaiting its consummation at His return.

Come to the wedding banquet.’
The invitation to "come" is a call to action, urging a response to God's gracious offer. The "wedding banquet" is a metaphor for the joyous union between Christ and His Church, often depicted as a bride in the New Testament. This imagery draws from Jewish wedding customs, where a wedding feast was a time of great joy and celebration. Theologically, it points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises and the eternal fellowship believers will enjoy with Him.

(4) My dinner.--The Greek word points to a morning meal, as contrasted with the "supper," or evening meal; but, like all such words, (as, e.g., our own dinner), was applied, as time passed on, to meals at very different hours. In Homer it is used of food taken at sunrise; in later authors, of the repast of noon.

My oxen and my fatlings are killed.--The words point, under an imagery which Isaiah had already used (25:6), to the spiritual blessings of peace and joy which Christ came to offer. In the "fatlings" we have nearly the same word as in the "fatted calf" of Luke 15:30.

Verse 4. - Other servants. The apostles and their immediate followers after the death and resurrection of Christ, and the effusion of the Holy Ghost. A fresh call was mercifully given with new graces and new degrees of revelation. My dinner (τὸ ἄριστόν μου). This is the lighter midday meal, which was the commencement of the festivities, and was followed by the supper (δεῖπνον) in the evening. Are killed. The great Sacrifice has been offered, the Victim slain (John 6:51-59), the Holy Spirit has made all things ready. Here are grace, health, abundance, to be had for acceptance. We may compare the invitation of Wisdom in the Old Testament (Proverbs 9:1, etc.) with this of Christ. In Jewish minds the blessings of Messiah's kingdom are constantly connected with the idea of a sumptuous feast, as in Luke 14:15; and our Lord himself uses the same image (Matthew 8:11; Luke 22:30).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Again,
Πάλιν (Palin)
Adverb
Strong's 3825: Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand.

he sent
ἀπέστειλεν (apesteilen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 649: From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively.

other
ἄλλους (allous)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 243: Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. Different.

servants
δούλους (doulous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1401: (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.

[and] said,
λέγων (legōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

‘Tell
Εἴπατε (Eipate)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

those who
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

have been invited
κεκλημένοις (keklēmenois)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2564: (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.

that
Ἰδοὺ (Idou)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2400: See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!

I have prepared
ἡτοίμακα (hētoimaka)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2090: To make ready, prepare. From hetoimos; to prepare.

my
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

dinner.
ἄριστόν (ariston)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 712: Breakfast or a mid-day meal. Apparently neuter of a superlative from the same as arrhen; the best meal ('early'), i.e. Luncheon.

My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

oxen
ταῦροί (tauroi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5022: A bull, an ox. Apparently a primary word; a bullock.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

fatlings
σιτιστὰ (sitista)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4619: Fattened; subst: a fatling, cattle. From a derivative of sitos; grained, i.e. Fatted.

have been killed,
τεθυμένα (tethymena)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2380: A primary verb; properly, to rush, i.e. to sacrifice; by extension to immolate.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

everything [is]
πάντα (panta)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

ready.
ἕτοιμα (hetoima)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2092: Ready, prepared. From an old noun heteos; adjusted, i.e. Ready.

Come
δεῦτε (deute)
Verb - Imperative - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1205: Come hither, come, hither, an exclamatory word. From deuro and an imperative form of eimi; come hither!

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

wedding banquet.’
γάμους (gamous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1062: A marriage, wedding, wedding-ceremony; plur: a wedding-feast. Of uncertain affinity; nuptials.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 22:4 Again he sent out other servants saying (Matt. Mat Mt)
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