Matthew 22:1-21 ▼

1 And Jesus resuming his discourse spake unto them again in parables,

2 saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king, who made a wedding- feast for his son;

3 and sent his servants to call those that were invited to the wedding: and they would not come.

4 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.

5 But they slighted him, and went away, one to his field and another to his merchandize:

6 and others seized his servants, and shamefully abused them, and slew them.

7 And when the king heard of it, he was highly provoked, and sent his troops, and destroyed those murderers, and burnt their city.

8 Then saith he to his servants, The feast is ready, but they that were invited were not worthy of it:

9 go therefore into the public streets, and as many as ye meet with invite to the wedding.

10 And those servants went out into the high -ways, and brought in all they met with, both bad and good: and the wedding was filled with guests.

11 But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man that had not put on a wedding-garment, and saith to him,

12 Friend, how camest thou in here without a wedding-garment? and he was struck speechless.

13 Then said the king to his attendants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him up, and throw him out into the darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of the teeth:

14 for there are many called, but few approved.

15 Then the pharisees went and consulted how they might insnare Him in his discourse.

16 And they send to Him their disciples along with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art a man of truth, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest for any man; for thou regardest not the person of men: Tell us therefore what thou thinkest,

17 Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar, or not?

18 But Jesus knew their malice, and said, Why do ye tempt me, ye hypocrites?

19 Shew me the tribute-money. And they brought Him a Roman Penny.

20 And He saith unto them, Whose image and inscription is this?

21 They answered, Cesar's. Then saith He unto them, Render therefore to Cesar the things that are Cesar's; and to God the things that are God's.