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Call & Response

The Wedding Banquet

Too long, please open your Bible Matthew 22: 1-14

Narrative Context

This parable is the third of a triad of parables that Jesus told in response to the challenge on His authority by Jewish leaders.

Relationship with other texts

We see the Day of the Lord being referred to in the Prophets, using the imagery of a banquet to describe a future time of both judgment and restoration.

The LORD of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain; A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow, And refined, aged wine. Isaiah 25:6
Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is near, For the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated His guests. Zephaniah 1:7

Cultural Context

In Jesus’ time, feast (which could also be weddings) invitations were quite different from modern-day practices but shared some similarities with the Parable of the Wedding Banquet and Parable of the Feast. Weddings were major social events in Jewish society, often involving the whole community, and invitations followed a two-step process. An example is found in Esther (5:8, 6:14).

Here’s how it generally worked and how it relates to the parable:

  1. Initial Invitation and RSVPs: In ancient Jewish culture, a wedding was announced in advance, and guests were informed about the upcoming event. This initial invitation was not specific about the exact day and hour, as it depended on preparation times. Guests would typically respond by indicating their willingness to attend, much like RSVPing in today’s terms.
  2. Final Call When the Feast Was Ready: Once all preparations were complete and the feast was ready, servants were sent out to inform the guests that it was time to come. This is similar to the final invitation seen in the Parable of the Wedding Banquet, where a king sends servants to call the already-invited guests to the banquet when everything is ready.
  3. Expectation of Attendance and Honor: Accepting an invitation in that culture carried a strong expectation of attendance, as refusing could be seen as a grave insult or rejection of the host’s honor. This expectation amplifies the shock in the parable when invited guests refuse to come, offering excuses that would have been considered insulting.
  4. Extended Invitations to Outsiders: In the parable, when the initially invited guests refuse, the king extends the invitation to others, even to people from “the streets” land marginalized groups. This unexpected twist highlights the inclusive nature of God’s kingdom, as well as the idea that those who ignore God’s invitation may be replaced by others who are willing to accept it.
  5. Wedding Garments: In Matthew’s version of the parable, guests are expected to wear appropriate wedding attire. In some ancient Jewish customs, wedding garments might have been provided by the host, especially at royal or significant events. This detail further reinforces the idea that acceptance involves a transformation or preparedness to honor the occasion properly.

So, the wedding invitation process in Jesus' day shares a clear connection with the structure of the parable, underscoring the communal, reciprocal, and honor-based nature of such gatherings. Jesus uses these familiar customs to convey spiritual truths about the kingdom of God, emphasizing readiness, honor, and the inclusive nature of God’s invitation.

Outer darkness, weeping, gnashing of teeth

Ancient banquets were usually held at night in rooms, which were brilliantly lighted, and anybody who was excluded from the feast was said to be cast out of the lighted room into “the outer darkness” of the night.

The Feast

Too long, please open your Bible Luke 14: 15-24

Narrative Context

Luke has this parable as part of a collection of “feast” narratives and parables (vv 1-24). In fact, he sets the stage from Luke 13:22.

Feasting in Luke

Meals are major themes in Luke’s gospel. In fact, only two chapters make no reference or allusion at all to a meal or feast (chapters 3& 20). The rest of Luke's chapters contain either meal scenes, references to food, or parables involving feasts, reinforcing the themes of hospitality, inclusion, and God’s kingdom throughout the narrative. They also reflect a broader theme in Luke: that God’s grace and salvation are available to all, from the lowest in society to the most privileged, if they have open hearts.

Meaning of the parables

  • We have to be eager to bring more people in, because God is particular about it
  • There will be separation at the end
“Both parables teach that we cannot have the kingdom on our own terms. The invitation of grace brings with it demand. At stake is the issue of a person’s identity. It is not enough to wear the right label (“the invited one”); rather, the kingdom must shape identity so that one has a whole different set of concerns. The warning of Luke must be heard: the biggest obstacles to discipleship are possessions and family, but they are also the biggest opportunities for discipleship.”

Excerpt From Stories with Intent: A Comprehensive Guide to the Parables of Jesus Snodgrass, Klyne R.