Matthew 22:8

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 22:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they that were bidden were not worthy.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they that were bidden were not worthy.
Matthew 22:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they that were bidden were not worthy.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then saith he to his servants, etc.] That were preserved from their rage and malice, and outlived their implacable enemies, and saw their utter ruin and destruction: the wedding is ready; meaning not the marriage contract, which was secretly performed in eternity; or the calling of God’s elect among the Jews, and their open espousal to Christ, which for the present was now over; but the marriage feast, or the Gospel dispensation, which was ushered in, and the ministry of it, to which nothing was wanting; all the promises, prophecies, types, and shadows, of the former dispensation, were now accomplished; the Lamb of God was slain, and all things to be done by him, were now finished; the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy--for how should those be deemed worthy to sit down at His table who had affronted Him by their treatment of His gracious invitation?”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Go into the highways - The word properly signifies, the by - ways, or turnings of the road. Matthew 22:10”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“22:8 Those who reject God’s invitation aren’t worthy to enter his Kingdom (cp. 3:8; 10:13, 37-38).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“The wedding: Mat 22:4 but: Mat 10:11-13, Mat 10:37, Mat 10:38; Luk 20:35, Luk 21:36; Act 13:46; Th2 1:5; Rev 3:4, Rev 22:14 Matthew 22:9”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification