Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Matthew 22:2–3

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapterReport issue
More

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

2 selected · 44 available

Add or remove verses within this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

All 39 ranked passages are available for comparison.

From verse 2

  1. Matthew 13:24Rank 1 from verse 2
    Open

    24¶ Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

  2. Revelation 19:7–9Rank 2 from verse 2
    Open

    7Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

    8And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

    9And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

  3. Ephesians 5:24–32Rank 3 from verse 2
    Open

    24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

    25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

    26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

    27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

    28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

    29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

    30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

    31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

    32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

  4. 2 Corinthians 11:2Rank 4 from verse 2
    Open

    2For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

  5. Psalms 45:10–16Rank 5 from verse 2
    Open

    10Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house;

    11So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.

    12And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.

    13The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.

    14She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.

    15With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace.

    16Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.

  6. John 3:29–30Rank 6 from verse 2
    Open

    29He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

    30He must increase, but I must decrease.

  7. Luke 14:16–24Rank 7 from verse 2
    Open

    16Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

    17And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

    18And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

    19And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

    20And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

    21So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

    22And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

    23And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

    24For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

  8. Matthew 13:31–33Rank 8 from verse 2
    Open

    31¶ Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

    32Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

    33¶ Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

  9. Matthew 13:44–47Rank 9 from verse 2
    Open

    44¶ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

    45¶ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

    46Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

    47¶ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

  10. Matthew 22:2–14Rank 10 from verse 2
    Open

    2The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

    3And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

    4Again, 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.

    5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

    6And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

    7But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

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

    9Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

    10So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

    11¶ And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

    12And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

    13Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

    14For many are called, but few are chosen.

  11. Matthew 25:1–14Rank 11 from verse 2
    Open

    1THEN shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

    2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

    3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

    4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

    5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

    6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

    7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

    8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

    9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

    10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

    11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

    12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

    13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

    14¶ For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

From verse 3

  1. Revelation 22:17Rank 1 from verse 3
    Open

    17And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

  2. John 5:40Rank 2 from verse 3
    Open

    40And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

  3. Luke 14:15–17Rank 3 from verse 3
    Open

    15¶ And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

    16Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

    17And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

  4. Hosea 11:7Rank 4 from verse 3
    Open

    7And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.

  5. Matthew 3:2Rank 5 from verse 3
    Open

    2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

  6. Psalms 81:10–12Rank 6 from verse 3
    Open

    10I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

    11But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

    12So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.

  7. Romans 10:21Rank 7 from verse 3
    Open

    21But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

  8. 1 Samuel 9:13Rank 8 from verse 3
    Open

    13As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.

  9. Acts 13:45Rank 9 from verse 3
    Open

    45But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

  10. Hosea 11:2Rank 10 from verse 3
    Open

    2As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

  11. Isaiah 30:15Rank 11 from verse 3
    Open

    15For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

  12. Isaiah 55:1–2Rank 12 from verse 3
    Open

    1HO, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

    2Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

  13. Jeremiah 25:4Rank 13 from verse 3
    Open

    4And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.

  14. Jeremiah 35:15Rank 14 from verse 3
    Open

    15I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.

  15. Jeremiah 6:16–17Rank 15 from verse 3
    Open

    16Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

    17Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.

  16. Luke 13:34Rank 16 from verse 3
    Open

    34O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

  17. Luke 15:28Rank 17 from verse 3
    Open

    28And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

  18. Luke 19:27Rank 18 from verse 3
    Open

    27But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

  19. Luke 9:1–6Rank 19 from verse 3
    Open

    1THEN he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

    2And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

    3And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

    4And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.

    5And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

    6And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

  20. Mark 6:7–11Rank 20 from verse 3
    Open

    7¶ And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

    8And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:

    9But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.

    10And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.

    11And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

  21. Matthew 10:6–7Rank 21 from verse 3
    Open

    6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

    7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

  22. Matthew 23:37Rank 22 from verse 3
    Open

    37O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

  23. Proverbs 1:24–32Rank 23 from verse 3
    Open

    24¶ Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

    25But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

    26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

    27When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

    28Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

    29For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:

    30They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

    31Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

    32For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

  24. Proverbs 9:1–3Rank 24 from verse 3
    Open

    1WISDOM hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:

    2She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.

    3She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,

  25. Psalms 68:11Rank 25 from verse 3
    Open

    11The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

  26. Zephaniah 1:7Rank 26 from verse 3
    Open

    7Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God: for the day of the Lord is at hand: for the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.

  27. Hebrews 12:25Rank 27 from verse 3
    Open

    25See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

  28. Matthew 21:34Rank 28 from verse 3
    Open

    34And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 22:2

COMBINED MEANING

kingdom

↗

The rule, royal authority, government, realm, territory, subjects, or dominion of a king.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heaven

↗

Sense 1: The firmament or expanse above the earth, including the sky and the region of the sun, moon, stars, clouds, rain, and flying creatures. Sense 2: The realm above spoken of as God's throne and dwelling place, and as the place of angels, heavenly beings, and the righteous. Sense 3: By metonymy, God, heavenly authority or source, or those who dwell there.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

like

↗

Sense 1: Similar or of the same kind; in the same manner; likely. Sense 2: A like person or thing; an equal or counterpart. Sense 3: To please, choose, or regard with favour.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

certain

↗

1. A particular person, thing, place, time, amount, or number not named or not further specified; also some members or portion of a group. 2. Sure, settled, true, reliable, or known beyond doubt.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

king

↗

A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

made

↗

Formed, caused, prepared, appointed, or brought into a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

marriage

↗

Sense 1: The covenant union of a man and a woman as husband and wife. Sense 2: The celebration of that union.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

son

↗

1. A male child or descendant. 2. One belonging to, related to, or characterized by the person, people, place, condition, or quality named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 22:3

COMBINED MEANING

forth

↗

1. Outward, away, or forward from a place, person, possession, or former position. 2. In constructions of bearing or producing, into birth, growth, fruit, or another stated result. 3. With verbs such as put, stretch, spread, or reach, outward by extension or exertion. 4. In constructions of showing, speaking, issuing, or displaying, into view, expression, publication, or effect. 5. Onward from a stated time or point, as in from that time forth.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

call

↗

1. To name. 2. To summon or invite. 3. To proclaim or address. 4. To request.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wedding

↗

A marriage, nuptial ceremony, or the festivities and feast connected with it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · Matthew 22:1–10

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

22:1AND Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,

22:2The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

Selected passage

22:3And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

Selected passage

22:4Again, 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.

22:5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

22:6And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

22:7But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

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

22:9Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

22:10So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Ask a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.