Read the Bible: Matthew 22

Parable of the wedding feast, the Pharisees conspire with the Herodians, a question about taxes, a ridiculous question about marriage in the resurrection, the greatest commandment and finally Jesus asks a question that shuts the room down.

Matthew 22

Again Jesus spoke to them by parables, and said,

2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king, who gave a wedding feast for his son,

3 And sent out his servants to call them that were invited to the wedding: but they would not come.

4 He sent out other servants, saying ‘Tell those who are invited “Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready: come to the marriage feast.”’

5 But they no attention and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise.

6 The others took his servants, and treated them badly, and killed them.

7 When the king heard of it he was very angry: and he sent his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.

8 Then he said to his servants ‘The wedding feast is ready, but the ones invited were not worthy.

9 So go into the highways, and invite as many as you can find to the marriage feast.’

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

11 When the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment:

12 And he said to him ‘Friend, how did you come in here not wearing a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless.

13 Then the king said 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.’

14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”

15 Then the Pharisees went and planned how they might entrap him by his words.

16 They sent to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying “Master, we know that you are truthful, and teach the way of God in truth, for you do not care what men think nor are you swayed by their opinions. 

17 Tell us then what you think;  Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said “Why tempt me, you hypocrites?

19 Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a penny.

20 He asked them “Whose image and inscription is this?” 

21 They said to him “Caesar’s.” Then he said “Give to Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”

22 When they had heard these words they were amazed, and left him, and went their way.

23 The same day the Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him

24 “Master, Moses said that If a man die having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise offspring for his brother.

25 Now there were with us seven brothers: and the first, when he had married a wife, died, and, having no offspring, left his wife to his brother.

26 The same with the second, and the third, and so to all seven.

27 Last of all the woman died also.

28 Therefore in the resurrection, whose wife shall she be of the seven? For they all married her.”

29 Jesus answered and said to them “You are wrong, not understanding the scriptures nor the power of God.

30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken to you by God? 

32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?’ God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

33 And when the crowd heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they gathered together.

35 Then one of them, who was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

36 “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?”

37 Jesus said to him “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

38 This is the greatest and most important commandment.

39 And the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,

42 “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said “The son of David.”

43 He said to them “How then does David in spirit call him Lord, saying,

44 ‘The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool?’

45 If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”

46 No one was able to answer him a word, and from that day forth no one dared ask him any more questions. 

See also: Matthew 22 in ESV, HCSB, NASB and NIV via Bible Gateway.

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