Verses 1-7
-
Again, Jesus gives a parable to the Pharisees. He talks about His kingdom as a wedding. The Jews were the first to be invited into the kingdom (the wedding), but they denied the invite, ignored God, and killed the messengers and prophets that God sent to them, over the course of Old Testament history.
-
Verse 7. Jesus finishes this portion of the parable by stating, prophetically, that the Jewish nation would be judged (this happened at the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70).
-
Verses 8-10
-
Therefore, God turns to the Gentiles rather than the Jews, and all kinds of people—multitudes of sinners, are invited into the relationship with God by His grace rather than their works.
-
Understand that all kinds of people—no matter how bad we might think they are—are invited into a relationship with God.
-
Verses 11-13
-
Lastly, in the wedding itself, and of the Gentiles who are invited, there are some that try to enter into a relationship with God and with other believers by pretending to be a believer.
-
Verse 12. Scripture tells us to put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14). Christ alone grant us access to God. Those who try to access God, without following the truth of Christ, are illegitimate and will be cast out of the kingdom.
-
Many people are in the church but do not truly know Christ. I wonder how people who do not know Christ are seen as believers. These will be found out in the end, and they will be condemned.
-
-
Verse 14
-
Jesus' final words are “For many are called, but few are chosen.” His point is that many people have been invited into a relationship with God and given the opportunity to be saved.
-
But few people are chosen for salvation because few people accept the invite and few people come to God through Christ.
-
Verse 5. Some people make fun of the gospel, some people are distracted with their earthly lives or their sins.
-
-
-
All in all, all people—no matter how sinful—are given the chance to come to God, but few are saved.
-
Those who are self-righteous, like the Pharisees, will not be saved, and those who try to come to God without faith in Christ also will not be saved.
-
Verses 15-22
-
Verse 16-19. The Pharisees speak some truth here, about Jesus, that He speaks the truth about God and is not ruled by humans. However, they spoke this out of wicked intent, and Jesus called them out on it, calling them hypocrites.
-
Like Jesus, if you discern that someone speaks or challenges you with wicked intent, point it out. Don't let people get away with speaking wickedly.
-
-
Verses 20-22. Jesus answer is simple. If currency is a design of man, it should not bother us that we pay it back to man.
-
Many Christians are denouncing the government and complaining about the government for requiring taxes.
-
Jesus is telling us not to worry or complain about taxes, blaming the government for our problems. But instead, pay your taxes, and give to God the obedience that you owe Him. Instead of focusing on the government is doing wrong, focus on what you're doing wrong, and make it right.
-
-
Verses 23-33
-
The Sadducees believed that there will be no physical resurrection of the dead; and they presented Jesus with a logical dilemma, concerning marriage, to try to prove Him wrong and themselves right.
-
But Jesus exposed them to a truth that they were not aware of, which is that there is no marriage in the life to come. Angels make no marriage, and so it will be for us in heaven.
-
As with the Sadducees, if your motive in challenging a teaching is try to prove someone else wrong and yourself right, you're acting out of pride, and you will be humbled. Don't act out of pride.
-
-
Also, Jesus shows that, since God is the God of the living, He would not call Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, unless they were living and not dead. Therefore this scripture (Exodus 3:6), although not explicit, has meaning that most overlook.
-
Understanding of the Word brings insight. Seek understanding (Proverbs 2:3)!
-
We learn that there are deeper meanings behind scripture—meanings that we're not aware of. Realize that are always times where you don't fully understand the complete meaning of certain Scriptures. Be humble and open to correction!
-
Verses 34-40
-
See Mark 12:28-34. Although the Pharisees intended to trap Jesus in His words, the specific man that asked Jesus this question was not entirely wrong in His motive. He wanted to test Jesus' wisdom to see how wise He was.
-
It is a trick-question to ask what the greatest commandment in the law is. Many people think that most important thing is to avoid sexual sin, or to avoid murder—to avoid the “big sins”. But this isn't the point.
-
The truth of utmost importance, on which all God's commandments hang, is to love God and love others. This commandment isn't found in the list of the ten commandments, but it's the one that encompasses them all.
-
Do everything out of sincere love for God and for others, and you will be doing what you must.
-
-
Verses 32-34. The scribe that challenged Jesus knew this too. It was typical for the Pharisees to ask Jesus questions that they themselves didn't even know the answers to. But this scribe knew the right answer. And when Jesus perceived that, He told him that he was close to being saved.
-
When you notice wisdom in another person, let them know. It's encouraging, and can help a person push forward into the wisdom they already have, to gain more.
-
-
Verses 41-46
-
Jesus closes out this conversation by asking them a question, rather than answering their questions.
-
Wise questions are an awesome way to teach wisdom to others. It is a valuable skill to be able to ask great questions; so learn to ask great questions!
-
-
The Pharisees believed that Scripture gave them reason to reject Jesus as Messiah and Lord, but Jesus showed them their ignorance.
-
David calls the Messiah his Lord, which means that Jesus is not merely the Son of David. Jesus was the Son of God. David himself knew this, when he prophesied of the coming of the Messiah (Psalm 2).
-
However, notice that Jesus was still in the lineage of David (Matthew 1:6-16).
-
-
Again, the Pharisees simply lacked knowledge and understanding.
-
So again, seek understanding, and consider the whole of Scripture! If you draw conclusions about one passage, without considering others, you understanding will be incomplete.
-
-
-
Verse 46. When you speak with great wisdom and understanding, you will know it because people will be silenced, and this will allow them to make a well-informed decision to believe or not to believe.
-
Seek wisdom and understanding also because it will held you to clear away other people's confusions and objections, to help them come to faith in the Word. This is greatly helpful!
-