Matthew 22:14

Jesus concluded the parable with a pithy statement that explained it (cf. Matthew 18:7). Not all whom God has invited to the kingdom will participate in it. Only those who respond to God’s call and prepare themselves by trusting in Jesus will.

"Finally, the parable teaches that a general call does not constitute or guarantee election (verse fourteen). The Israelites took great pride in the fact that they as a nation possessed the kingdom promises. But this of itself did not mean each Jew was elected to it. Entrance was an individual responsibility, and that is what Christ is emphasizing in the last portion of the parable." [Note: Toussaint, Behold the . . ., p. 256.]

"Ironically, the ’chosen people’ show in their refusal of the invitation that they are not all among the ’elect’ but only among the ’called.’" [Note: Hagner, Matthew 14-28, p. 632.]

"While the invitation is broad, those actually chosen for blessing are few." [Note: Walvoord, Matthew: . . ., p. 165.]

The point of these three parables is quite clear. God would judge Israel’s leaders because they had rejected Jesus, their Messiah. He would postpone the kingdom and allow anyone to enter it, not just the Jews as many of the Jews thought. [Note: See Toussaint and Quine, pp. 140-41.] The prophets had predicted that Gentiles would participate in the kingdom; this was not new revelation. However the Jews, because of national pride, had come to believe that being a Jew was all the qualification one needed to enter the kingdom. Jesus taught them that receiving God’s gracious invitation and preparing oneself by trusting in Him was the essential requirement for participation.