‏ Matthew 22

1Once more Jesus answered them in parables. 2"The kingdom of heaven," he said, "may be compared to a king who made a wedding-feast for his son. 3"He sent out his slaves to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they did not want to come. 4"Again he sent out other slaves. ‘Tell the invited guests,’ he said, ’that my luncheon is now ready; my oxen and fat cattle are killed; everything is ready; come to the wedding-feast.’ 5"They, however, paid no attention, but went off, one to his own farm, another to his business; 6"while the rest seized his slaves and maltreated and murdered them. 7"Then the king’s wrath was roused, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8"Then he said to his slaves, "‘The wedding-feast indeed is ready, but the invited guests were not worthy. 9"‘So go out into the partings of the highways, and summon everybody you find there to the wedding-feast.’ 10"So those slaves went out into the roads, and gathered together all whom they found, good or bad, and the banquet-hall was filled with the guests. 11"Then the king came in to inspect his guests, and he discovered there a man who had not put on a wedding-garment. He said to him, 12"‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding-garment?’ "The man was speechless. 13"‘Bind him hand and foot, ‘said the king to his officers, ‘and cast him into the outer darkness; there will be the wailing and the gnashing of teeth.’ 14"For there are many called, but few are chosen."

15Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might ensnare him during conversation. 16So they sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know that you are honest, and that you are teaching the way of God in sincerity; and are not afraid of any one, for you do not court men’s favor. 17"Give us your advice, then. Is it allowable to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" 18And Jesus, because he knew their malice, said. 19"Hypocrites! Why are you tempting me? Show me the tribute money." So they brought him a shilling. 20"Whose likeness and inscription is this?" he asked. 21"Caesar’s," they answered. Then he said to them, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s." 22When they heard this they were astonished, and left him and went away.

23That very day there came to him some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection. and they questioned him. 24"Master," they said, "Moses taught that if a man dies without issue, his brother is to marry the widow, and raise up a family for his brother. 25"Now there were of our number seven brothers; and the first married and died. As he had no children, he left his wife to his brother; 26"In the same way the second also died, and the third, unto the seventh. 27"Last of all the woman died. 28"In the resurrection, then, whose wife will she be? They all had her." 29In answer Jesus said. "You err because you do not know the Scriptures, nor the power of God. 30"For in the resurrection men do not marry, nor are women given in marriage, but they are like angels in heaven. 31"But concerning the resurrection of the dead, did you never read what was spoken to you by God, 32"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." 33And when the crowds heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.

34As soon as the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered themselves together, 35and one of them, a lawyer, tested him by asking a question. 36"Master, which is the great commandment in the law?" 37Jesus answered, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38"This is the great and first commandment. 39"The second, which is like it, is this, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40"On those two commandments hang the whole law and the prophets."

41Now while the Pharisees were together, Jesus put this question to them. 42"What is your opinion concerning the Christ? Whose Son is he?" "David’s," they answered. 43"How then, "he said, "does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying, 44"The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand Until I put thine enemies beneath thy feet? 45"If David calls him Lord, how can he be his Son?" 46No one could answer him a word, nor did any one dare from that day to ask him another question.