Matthew 22:1-21 ▼

1 And Jesus answering, again spoke to them in allegories, saying,

2 “The kingdom of the heavens was likened to a man, a king, who made wedding feasts for his son,

3 and he sent forth his servants to call those having been called to the wedding feasts, and they were not willing to come.

4 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;

5 and they, having disregarded [it], went away, one to his own field, and the other to his merchandise;

6 and the rest, having laid hold on his servants, mistreated and slew [them].

7 And the king having heard, was angry, and having sent forth his soldiers, he destroyed those murderers, and their city he set on fire;

8 then he says to his servants, The wedding feast indeed is ready, and those called were not worthy,

9 be going, then, on to the cross-ways, and as many as you may find, call to the wedding feasts.

10 And those servants, having gone forth to the ways, gathered all, as many as they found, both bad and good, and the wedding was filled with those reclining.

11 And the king having come in to view those reclining, saw there a man not clothed with wedding clothes,

12 and he says to him, Friend, how did you come in here, not having wedding clothes? And he was speechless.

13 Then the king said to the servants, Having bound his feet and hands, take him up and cast forth into the outer darkness, there will be the weeping and the gnashing of the teeth;

14 for many are called, and few chosen.”

15 Then the Pharisees having gone, took counsel how they might ensnare Him in words,

16 and they send to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we have known that You are true, and the way of God in truth You teach, and You are not caring for anyone, for You do not look to the face of men;

17 tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?”

18 And Jesus having known their wickedness, said, “Why do you tempt Me, hypocrites?

19 Show Me the tribute-coin.” And they brought to Him a denarius;

20 and He says to them, “Whose [is] this image and the inscription?”

21 They say to Him, “Caesar’s”; then He says to them, “Render therefore the things of Caesar to Caesar, and the things of God to God”;