Time after Pentecost · Year A
Proper 23
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).
From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.
Take it further
Commentary
Commentary on Matthew 22:1-14 Working Preacher
The Lutheran home commentary on the banquet, the refusals, and the wedding garment.
Matthew 22:1-14 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary on the standing invitation and the required garment.
Matthew 22 - The Parable of the Wedding Feast Enduring Word · David Guzik
A verse-by-verse evangelical study of the invitations, the gathering, and the guest without a garment.
Matthew 22 Commentary Precept Austin
An inductive study page gathering word studies and cross references on the chapter.
Matthew 22:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentaries gathered verse by verse on the wedding feast.
Matthew 22:1 Verse-by-Verse Commentary StudyLight
A large library of expositors stacked verse by verse for a further voice on the passage.
Background & Word Study
Matthew 22:1 Interlinear BibleHub
The Greek of the passage word by word with parsing and lexical helps.
Enter the Bible: Matthew Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's book introduction to Matthew for the setting of its kingdom parables.
Overview: Matthew 14-28 BibleProject
An animated overview of Matthew's second half and its Jerusalem controversies.
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 lectionary?
Proper 23 (Ordinary 28) in Year A of the Revised Common Lectionary, the Sunday whose date falls between October 9 and 15.
Prep at sermons.com
Ready to write?
- Full sermons on Matthew 22:1-14
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Trusted by pastors since 1995.
Free every Tuesday
Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox
The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.