Pentecost Season · Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year A
Matthew 22:1-14 or Matthew 22:1-10
The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
October 11, 2026
Overview & Insights
“For many are invited, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14)
Two symbolic actions of Jesus—his entry as king into Jerusalem and his temple critique (21:1–22)—provoke a contest of authority with the chief priests and Jewish elders (21:23–27). Jesus refuses to answer their question about the source of his authority directly; instead, he tells three parables that provide an implicit claim of his messianic identity and implicate the Jewish leaders in their rejection of his identity and authority (21:28–22:14). In their rejection, Jesus contrasts them to those who have believed his message (and John’s): tax collectors and prostitutes (21:31–32; cf. 9:9–13) and people who produce fruit (21:43; cf. 3:8; 7:15–20; 12:33). It is at this point in Matthew’s story that the Jerusalem leaders begin the final plot to arrest and execute Jesus (21:46; see 26:3–4).
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Commentary
Commentary on Matthew 22:1-14 Working Preacher
A named seminary scholar's exegesis of this same Year A Gospel.
Matthew 22:1-14 Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary on the open invitation and the gathering of all.
Matthew 22 - The Parable of the Wedding Feast Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical study of the banquet and the missing garment.
Matthew 22 Commentary Precept Austin
An inductive study page with Greek word notes and cross references on the chapter.
Matthew 22:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentaries gathered verse by verse on the king's wedding feast.
The Twenty-Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year A) Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre
Brant Pitre reads the wedding feast alongside Isaiah's banquet on the mountain.
Sunday Connection, 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
Catholic background and reflection questions linking the day's readings to daily life.
Background & Word Study
Matthew 22 (Matthew Henry Complete) Bible Study Tools
Matthew Henry's full exposition of the chapter for a classic devotional reading.
Matthew 22:1 Interlinear BibleHub
The Greek word by word with parsing for the feast, the invitation, and the garment.
Enter the Bible: Matthew Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's book introduction to Matthew and the temple controversies.
Gospel of Matthew Overview BibleProject
An animated overview of Matthew's parables of the kingdom.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Why is the guest without a wedding garment thrown out?
After the first invited guests refuse and the king fills the hall from the streets, one guest lacks a wedding garment and is cast out (Matthew 22:11–14). The garment is usually read as the repentance and righteousness fitting for the kingdom: being present is not the same as being ready.
Where does this fall in the Catholic lectionary?
This is the Gospel for the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A (October 9 to 15). A shorter form, Matthew 22:1-10, may be read.
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