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Matthew 22

And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,

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.

Again, 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.

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

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

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

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

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

So 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.

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

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

Then 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.

For many are called, but few are chosen.

Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.

Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

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

When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

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

Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:

Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.

And last of all the woman died also.

Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.

Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

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

But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

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.

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

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

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

Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

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

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,

Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.

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

The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?

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

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

What does Matthew 22:44 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 22:44 quotes a conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees regarding the identity of the Messiah.

The verse itself is a reference to Psalm 110:1 and states, "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool." This verse is significant because it is Jesus quoting King David, acknowledging the Messiah as his Lord, and it speaks to the authority and divinity of the Messiah.

It implies a position of honor and power, suggesting that the Messiah is more than a mere descendant of David but is divine and will ultimately triumph over his enemies.

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Historical Context

Matthew 22:44 emerges in the context of a debate between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders. At the time of its writing, there was an expectation among Jews for a coming Messiah who was often thought to be a political or military leader.

The book of Matthew is a Gospel intended for a Jewish audience to understand Jesus' role as the prophesied Messiah. The reference Jesus makes to Psalm 110:1 would have been recognized by his listeners as a Messianic prophecy well known within Jewish tradition.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse is often interpreted as evidence of Jesus' divine sonship and his rightful place at the right hand of God, a position of authority.

This indicates a unique relationship between Jesus (referred to as "my Lord") and God the Father ("The LORD").

Some theologians see it as a revelation of the Trinity, with Jesus being distinct yet one with God. It's also seen as a promise of Jesus' second coming and the ultimate victory over sin and death.

Practical Applications

This verse can encourage believers in their faith, emphasizing the ultimate victory of good over evil.

It can motivate Christians to maintain faith and perseverance, knowing that Jesus is in a position of power.

It reminds believers of the importance of acknowledging Jesus' authority in their lives and can serve as a call to spread the Christian faith and witness about the Messiah's victory to others.

Cross-References

Psalm 110:1: "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."
Hebrews 1:3: "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high."
1 Corinthians 15:25: "For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet."

Language Study

The key words in the original language are "LORD" (Hebrew: YHWH, transliterated Yahweh, the personal name of God), "my Lord" (Hebrew: 'Adon', a title used for God or a person of high rank), "Sit" (Hebrew: yashab, meaning to dwell, sit down, remain, stay), and "footstool" (Hebrew: hadom, a place to rest one's feet, signifying subjugation).

The original Hebrew text emphasizes the authority and eternality of the Messiah.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, being seated at the right hand of a king symbolized power and prestige.

In religious contexts, similar motifs are found wherein gods are depicted as having divine councils or assemblies, with lesser deities or figures sitting at their right hand.

However, the notion here is distinct because it involves the one true God and His Messiah.

Scientific Perspectives

This verse does not directly intersect with scientific perspectives as it deals with theological and eschatological themes rather than empirical claims.

The concepts of authority, victory over enemies, and sitting at the right hand are metaphorical and relate to spiritual beliefs rather than testable scientific hypotheses.

Commentaries

Expert commentaries on this verse note its significance in Christological debates, the understanding of the nature and person of Christ within Christian theology.

Many see it as pivotal for understanding Jesus' messianic claims and how the early church perceived Him as both Messiah and divine.

Commentators like Matthew Henry note the sovereignty attributed to Christ in this declaration, while others discuss the implications it has on the understanding of the nature of the Godhead and the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy.

Matthew 22

Matthew 22

What does Matthew 22:44 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 22:44 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?