"For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:14)

redleghunter

Thank You Jesus!
Supporter
Mar 18, 2014
38,116
34,054
Texas
✟176,076.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
In the parable of the Wedding Banquet, Jesus concludes in Matthew 22:14:

"For many are called, but few are chosen."

In a previous thread we spoke about the general call of the Gospel. Is Jesus in the parable of the Wedding Banquet making a distinction between those who are “invited” to hear the Gospel but “He who has ears, let him hear” (Matthew 13:43) are chosen?

Thoughts. Jesus clearly makes a distinction between those who are called and those who are chosen.
 

Hammster

Psalm 144:1
Christian Forums Staff
Site Advisor
Supporter
Apr 5, 2007
140,012
25,178
55
New Jerusalem
Visit site
✟1,718,526.00
Country
United States
Faith
Reformed
Marital Status
Married
I read that "many" is a semitic way of saying "all".

And I don't see what's the goal of the thread, a lot agree that not everybody who hears or is invited will be in the banquet, especially if you don't wear the "wedding clothes".
What do you think the point of using the word “chosen” was?
 
Upvote 0

GingerBeer

Cool and refreshing with a kick!
Mar 26, 2017
3,511
1,348
Australia
✟119,825.00
Country
Australia
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
In the parable of the Wedding Banquet, Jesus concludes in Matthew 22:14:

"For many are called, but few are chosen."

In a previous thread we spoke about the general call of the Gospel. Is Jesus in the parable of the Wedding Banquet making a distinction between those who are “invited” to hear the Gospel but “He who has ears, let him hear” (Matthew 13:43) are chosen?

Thoughts. Jesus clearly makes a distinction between those who are called and those who are chosen.
The story about the wedding feast implies that the guests first invited did not appreciate their invitation so random people were invited to fill up the wedding hall by the king's servants they were invited and they chose to come but even those who are chose to come needed to dress for the occasion so when one among their number was found who did not dress appropriately he was thrown out because he did not show the kind of respect that dressing up for the occasion implies. Hence many are called/invited and need to choose to accept the invitation and attend the feast dressed up for the occasion.
Matthew 22:2-14 "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.' 5 But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the thoroughfares, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.' 10 And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 "But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; 12 and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.' 14 For many are called, but few are chosen."
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Not David
Upvote 0

roman2819

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Nov 22, 2012
835
212
Singapore
✟208,448.00
Country
Singapore
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Not every word is intended to be taken factually, whether they are words from Bible or any books.

Also, during biblical times, they don't say they choose God or they accepted Him. Instead, they said God chose them - - it is a humble way of saying they believe. Back then, people were more subservient to God. And this was not exclusive to the Jews only, even the ancient Persians, babylonians, Greeks and Chinese worshipped divine elements.

Today, 2000 years later, things have changed. In an age of science and technology, people have less reverence for God. We say we choose God, but this would have sounded arrogant during biblical times.

Above is explained in my book, Understanding Prayer, Faith and God's Will.
 
Upvote 0

A.ModerateOne

Active Member
Supporter
Sep 24, 2018
191
129
79
Florida
✟33,541.00
Country
United States
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Republican
In the parable of the Wedding Banquet, Jesus concludes in Matthew 22:14:

"For many are called, but few are chosen."

In a previous thread we spoke about the general call of the Gospel. Is Jesus in the parable of the Wedding Banquet making a distinction between those who are “invited” to hear the Gospel but “He who has ears, let him hear” (Matthew 13:43) are chosen?

Thoughts. Jesus clearly makes a distinction between those who are called and those who are chosen.

Two passages seem to speak to this parable, as I understand it:

"The next sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy; and blaspheming, they contradicted what was spoken by Paul. Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, 'It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers." (Acts 13:44-48, NRSV)

The Jews rejected the Christ and the gospel. They turned to the Gentiles who in general were glad and praised the word; but of them, only as many as had been foreordained, destined, or chosen, became true believers.

"But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (Gal 3:25-27, NRSV)

That seems to fit the point about the wedding garment.
 
Upvote 0

inquiring mind

and a discerning heart
Supporter
Dec 31, 2016
7,222
3,311
U.S.
✟652,664.00
Country
United States
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
Not every word is intended to be taken factually, whether they are words from Bible or any books.

Also, during biblical times, they don't say they choose God or they accepted Him. Instead, they said God chose them - - it is a humble way of saying they believe. Back then, people were more subservient to God. And this was not exclusive to the Jews only, even the ancient Persians, babylonians, Greeks and Chinese worshipped divine elements.

Today, 2000 years later, things have changed. In an age of science and technology, people have less reverence for God. We say we choose God, but this would have sounded arrogant during biblical times.

Above is explained in my book, Understanding Prayer, Faith and God's Will.
I’m not sure what you mean by this statement, “Not every word is intended to be taken factually, whether they are words from Bible ...” Exactly what parts of God’s communication to us through the Bible do you not consider factual, or not effective in the lives of those who trust in it? The Bible has undergone all forms of scrutiny, contains many fulfilled prophecies that attest to its accuracy, has transformed untold numbers of lives, and countless numbers of people have also recognized God’s communication to them through it... can you say the same of your book?
 
Upvote 0

com7fy8

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2013
13,648
6,107
Massachusetts
✟583,317.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Jesus says,

"'Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.'" (Matthew 11:28-29)

Here, Jesus calles to "all". Jesus has hope for any and all people to have His rest for our souls.

But, then Jesus says, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me". This yoke is personal, having us together with Jesus Himself, and submitting to all He has us doing in this yoke. And He says, "learn from Me". So, in personal sharing with Jesus we learn from Him.

So, "all" who are laboring and burdened are called to this, but not all obey; not all personally submit to God Himself; I understand this means we need to be quiet, so we can sense and submit to how God corrects us, tunes us in His love, and personally guides us in His own peace; God is quiet in His kind and sensitive love and affection; so we discover Him and share with Him and submit to Him, in His gentle and quiet love and personal and creative guiding in us > we learn this as we grow in Jesus and trust God to do in us all He means by His word.

So . . . I would say the ones who trust Jesus and obey Him are the ones meant by "chosen". And we have "rest for your souls", in submission to how Jesus rules us in God's peace >

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

We need to be constantly sensing for and attentive to how God is personally ruling us with His own peace in our "hearts". This is not only God telling us what to get our own selves to do, then!! But our Creator in us is personally ruling us, making us creative in how we see things and what we do to love each and every person.

We are "called in one body" to be so personally . . . in our "hearts" . . . ruled by God's own peace. So, I would say the "chosen" are submitting to how our Heavenly Father personally rules us in His own peace being shared with us. We discover how He has us seeing things in this peace; we get vision of His will for us, today, in this peace; we are personally guided according to all God knows is going on in other people and everything around us > and in this peace He is timing our activities to fit with all He has planned for us, today > our Heavenly Secretary has all our love appointments set up, for us to discover while trusting and obeying Jesus in His peace.
 
  • Winner
Reactions: Carl Emerson
Upvote 0

A.ModerateOne

Active Member
Supporter
Sep 24, 2018
191
129
79
Florida
✟33,541.00
Country
United States
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Republican
Jesus says,

"'Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.'" (Matthew 11:28-29)

Here, Jesus calles to "all". Jesus has hope for any and all people to have His rest for our souls.

Who are those who labor and are heavy laden over their sin? Is it not those who are chosen, those who have been convicted of their sin by the Holy Spirit? I would have included the preceding v27 on this.

"All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." (Matt 11:27, NRSV)
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Hawkins

Member
Supporter
Apr 27, 2005
2,559
394
Canada
✟235,114.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
"For many are called, but few are chosen."

Ancient Jews used to write in the perspective of God's absolute sovereignty. Chosen thus means "God already knew who they are even before the creation". All are given the chance as provided by a covenant granted to each single human. Those abide by the covenant will be saved by God in the sense that God already know who he is from the very beginning.

Planet earth is a process allowing open witnessing, it's for everyone to be displayed openly as who he is. This process is required by a legal system (of heaven and God), it's nothing to do with God's foreknowledge and power. God knows in advance who everyone is. However it's not legitimate for God to save those He knew without them being openly demonstrated as the righteous (by a standard specified in a covenant).
 
Upvote 0

Carl Emerson

Well-Known Member
Dec 18, 2017
14,667
9,977
78
Auckland
✟376,544.00
Country
New Zealand
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
"But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (Gal 3:25-27, NRSV)

That seems to fit the point about the wedding garment.

Yes... this is an interesting possibility and might even link to the Holy Spirit coming upon believers at the time of the baptism of the Spirit as they became clothed in His power.
 
Upvote 0

redleghunter

Thank You Jesus!
Supporter
Mar 18, 2014
38,116
34,054
Texas
✟176,076.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
The story about the wedding feast implies that the guests first invited did not appreciate their invitation so random people were invited to fill up the wedding hall by the king's servants they were invited and they chose to come but even those who are chose to come needed to dress for the occasion so when one among their number was found who did not dress appropriately he was thrown out because he did not show the kind of respect that dressing up for the occasion implies. Hence many are called/invited and need to choose to accept the invitation and attend the feast dressed up for the occasion.
Matthew 22:2-14 "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.' 5 But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the thoroughfares, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.' 10 And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 "But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; 12 and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.' 14 For many are called, but few are chosen."
Yet one who was invited and at the feast was not chosen.
 
Upvote 0

redleghunter

Thank You Jesus!
Supporter
Mar 18, 2014
38,116
34,054
Texas
✟176,076.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Jesus says,

"'Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.'" (Matthew 11:28-29)

Here, Jesus calles to "all". Jesus has hope for any and all people to have His rest for our souls.

But, then Jesus says, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me". This yoke is personal, having us together with Jesus Himself, and submitting to all He has us doing in this yoke. And He says, "learn from Me". So, in personal sharing with Jesus we learn from Him.

So, "all" who are laboring and burdened are called to this, but not all obey; not all personally submit to God Himself; I understand this means we need to be quiet, so we can sense and submit to how God corrects us, tunes us in His love, and personally guides us in His own peace; God is quiet in His kind and sensitive love and affection; so we discover Him and share with Him and submit to Him, in His gentle and quiet love and personal and creative guiding in us > we learn this as we grow in Jesus and trust God to do in us all He means by His word.

So . . . I would say the ones who trust Jesus and obey Him are the ones meant by "chosen". And we have "rest for your souls", in submission to how Jesus rules us in God's peace >

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

We need to be constantly sensing for and attentive to how God is personally ruling us with His own peace in our "hearts". This is not only God telling us what to get our own selves to do, then!! But our Creator in us is personally ruling us, making us creative in how we see things and what we do to love each and every person.

We are "called in one body" to be so personally . . . in our "hearts" . . . ruled by God's own peace. So, I would say the "chosen" are submitting to how our Heavenly Father personally rules us in His own peace being shared with us. We discover how He has us seeing things in this peace; we get vision of His will for us, today, in this peace; we are personally guided according to all God knows is going on in other people and everything around us > and in this peace He is timing our activities to fit with all He has planned for us, today > our Heavenly Secretary has all our love appointments set up, for us to discover while trusting and obeying Jesus in His peace.
It is our action which leads God to choose us?
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

redleghunter

Thank You Jesus!
Supporter
Mar 18, 2014
38,116
34,054
Texas
✟176,076.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Ancient Jews used to write in the perspective of God's absolute sovereignty. Chosen thus means "God already knew who they are even before the creation". All are given the chance as provided by a covenant granted to each single human. Those abide by the covenant will be saved by God in the sense that God already know who he is from the very beginning.

Planet earth is a process allowing open witnessing, it's for everyone to be displayed openly as who he is. This process is required by a legal system (of heaven and God), it's nothing to do with God's foreknowledge and power. God knows in advance who everyone is. However it's not legitimate for God to save those He knew without them being openly demonstrated as the righteous (by a standard specified in a covenant).
God sees the future on who will accept Him and then chooses them?
 
Upvote 0

Carl Emerson

Well-Known Member
Dec 18, 2017
14,667
9,977
78
Auckland
✟376,544.00
Country
New Zealand
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
The garment given the chosen?

Yes... Can we agree on what he had missing to be treated as he was...

What was the garment?

Being clothed with Christ himself?

Being clothed in His righteousness?

Being Baptised in the Holy Spirit?

All of the above?
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

redleghunter

Thank You Jesus!
Supporter
Mar 18, 2014
38,116
34,054
Texas
✟176,076.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Yes... Can we agree on what he had missing to be treated as he was...

What was the garment?

Being clothed with Christ himself?

Being clothed in His righteousness?

Being Baptised in the Holy Spirit?

All of the above?
Yes I would think being clothed in Christ’s Righteousness.

Still leaves the question of being chosen.
 
Upvote 0