Matthew – Chapter 22

New Testament46 Verses

Chapter Summary

Matthew 22 opens with the words: "And Jesus answering, spoke again in parables to them, saying:" The chapter centers on David, Abraham and Isaac. Across its 46 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's kingdom and kingship. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And Jesus answering, spoke again in parables to them, saying:

2The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king who made a marriage for his son.

3And he sent his servants to call them that were invited to the marriage: and they would not come.

4Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that were invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my beeves and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come ye to the marriage.

5But they neglected and went their ways, one to his farm and another to his merchandise.

6And the rest laid hands on his servants and, having treated them contumeliously, put them to death.

7But when the king had heard of it, he was angry: and sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers and burnt their city.

8Then he saith to his servants: The marriage indeed is ready; but they that were invited were not worthy.

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

10And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all that they found, both bad and good: and the marriage was filled with guests.

11And the king went in to see the guests: and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment.

12And he saith to him: Friend, how camest thou in hither not having on a wedding garment? But he was silent.

13Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

14For many are called, but few are chosen.

15Then the Pharisees going, consulted among themselves how to insnare him in his speech.

16And they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying: Master, we know that thou art a true speaker and teachest the way of God in truth. Neither carest thou for any man: for thou dost not regard the person of men.

17Tell us therefore what dost thou think? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

18But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said: Why do you tempt me, ye hypocrites?

19Shew me the coin of the tribute. And they offered him a penny.

20And Jesus saith to them: Whose image and inscription is this?

21They say to him: Caesar's. Then he saith to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God, the things that are God's.

22And hearing this, they wondered and, leaving him, went their ways.

23That day there came to him the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection; and asked him,

24Saying: Master, Moses said: If a man die having no son, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up issue to his brother.

25Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first having married a wife, died; and not having issue, left his wife to his brother.

26In like manner the second and the third and so on, to the seventh.

27And last of all the woman died also.

28At the resurrection therefore, whose wife of the seven shall she be? For they all had her.

29And Jesus answering, said to them: You err, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.

30For in the resurrection they shall neither marry nor be married, but shall be as the angels of God in heaven.

31And concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken by God, saying to you:

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

33And the multitudes hearing it were in admiration at his doctrine.

34But the Pharisees, hearing that he had silenced the Sadducees, came together.

35And one of them, a doctor of the law, asked him, tempting him:

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

37Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind.

38This is the greatest and the first commandment.

39And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets.

41And the Pharisees being gathered together, Jesus asked them,

42Saying: What think you of Christ? Whose son is he? They say to him: David's.

43He saith to them: How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying:

44The Lord said to my Lord: Sit on my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool?

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

46And no man was able to answer him a word: neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

Important Verses in Matthew 22

The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king who made a marriage for his son.

Matthew 22:2

I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.

Matthew 22:32

Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind.

Matthew 22:37

He saith to them: How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying:

Matthew 22:43

Historical Context

Matthew addresses jewish Christians, shown that Jesus fulfills the Scriptures of Israel within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 22 of 28 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a legal and cultic instruction given to Israel regarding worship, holiness, and daily life with 46 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on David, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The passage starts with these words: "And Jesus answering, spoke again in parables to them, saying:" It concludes: "And no man was able to answer him a word: neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. " Read against its original backdrop, Matthew wrote for Jewish Christians, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets—the Son of David, the new Moses who delivers the Sermon on the Mount. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition

When It Was Written

About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians

Catholic Commentary

This chapter presents divine statutes and cultic norms that shaped Israel's worship and moral life. A pivotal line is verse 2: "The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king who made a marriage for his son." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Matthew 22 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Matthew shows Christ as the new Moses and true Israel (CIC 577). St. Thomas Aquinas and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 2215).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Matthew 22 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • The resurrection of Christ is the foundation of our faith and the promise of our own resurrection.

People in This Chapter

David3 mentionsAbraham1 mentionIsaac1 mentionJacob1 mentionMoses1 mention

Reflection for Today

Matthew Chapter 22 belongs to the New Testament and forms part of the Catholic canon proclaimed in the liturgy of the Word.

Through typology, the Church often reads Old Testament passages as preparing for Christ, while New Testament passages reveal Him explicitly. Matthew shows Christ as the new Moses and true Israel (CIC 577). Here the believer is invited to ponder worship as the heart of the Christian life.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 113) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Matthew Chapter 22 about?

Matthew 22 contains 46 verses. It opens with "And Jesus answering, spoke again in parables to them, saying:" and closes with "And no man was able to answer him a word: neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. ". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in Matthew 22?

One of the most significant verses is verse 2: "The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king who made a marriage for his son." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Matthew Chapter 22?

This chapter mentions David, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses.

Who wrote Matthew and when?

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition. About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

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