Devine Scripture

Matthew 22:10

What does Matthew 22:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 22:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 22:10 means

The servants obey, going out to the highways and gathering everyone they encounter, both 'bad and good,' filling the wedding hall with guests. This aspect of the parable highlights the indiscriminate nature of God's gospel invitation, extending to all people, regardless of their moral or social standing. It underscores that initial entry into the kingdom is by grace, through invitation, not by a person's inherent merit. The wedding being 'filled with guests' emphasizes the fulfillment of God's purpose, even through unexpected means.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was filled with guests.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was filled with guests.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And those servants went out into the streets, and got together all those whom they came across, bad and good: and the feast was full of guests.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And those servants, having gone forth to the ways, did gather all, as many as they found, both bad and good, and the marriage-feast apartment was filled with those reclining.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all that they found, both bad and good: and the marriage was filled with guests.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And those bondmen went out into the highways, and brought together all as many as they found, both evil and good; and the wedding feast was furnished with guests.

Context

This verse directly fulfills the king's command from the previous verse, showing the successful gathering of new guests. The inclusion of 'both bad and good' is critical, emphasizing the openness of the kingdom invitation to all, regardless of their past. This sets up the forthcoming scrutiny of the guests, revealing that while the invitation is broad, there are still expectations for those who accept it.

v.9Go ye therefore unto the partings of the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage feast.

v.10This passage

v.11But when the king came in to behold the guests, he saw there a man who had not on a wedding-garment:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 13:38

    and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one;

  • Revelation 2:14

    But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.

  • Revelation 2:20

    But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

  • Matthew 13:47

    Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

  • 1 Corinthians 6:9

    Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men,

  • Revelation 5:9

    And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,

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