Chapter LXXI.—Of the Marriage of the King’s Son, to Which the Multitudes Were In-
vited; And of the Order in Which Matthew Introduces that Section as Compared with Luke,
Who Gives Us a Somewhat Similar Narrative in Another Connection.
139. Matthew goes on as follows: “And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard
His parables, they perceived that He spake of them: and when they sought to lay hands on
Him, they feared the multitude, because they took Him for a prophet. 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;” and so on, down to the words, “For
many are called, but few are chosen.”1163 This parable concerning the guests who were invited
to the wedding is related only by Matthew. Luke also records something which resembles
it. But that is really a different passage, as the order itself sufficiently indicates, although
there is some similarity between the two.1164 The matters introduced, however, by Matthew
immediately after the parable concerning the vineyard, and the killing of the son of the head
of the house,—namely, the Jews’ perception that this whole discourse was directed against
them, and their beginning to contrive treacherous schemes against Him,—are attested
likewise by Mark and Luke, who also keep the same order in inserting them.1165 But after
this paragraph they proceed to another subject, and immediately subjoin a passage which
Matthew has also indeed introduced in due order, but only subsequently to this parable of
the marriage, which he alone has put on record here.
1163 Matt. xxi. 45-xxii. 14.
1164 Luke xiv. 16–24.
1165 Mark xii. 12; Luke xx. 19.
Of the Marriage of the King’s Son, to Which the Multitudes Were Invited; And of the Order in Which Matthew Introduces that Section as Compared with Luke, Who Gives Us a Somewhat Similar Narrative in Another Connection.
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Of the Marriage of the King’s Son, to Which the Multitudes Were Invited;…