Matthew 22:4
What does Matthew 22:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 22:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 22:4 means
Demonstrating remarkable patience and generosity, the king sends yet another group of servants, urging the invited guests with renewed assurances that everything is prepared—the finest provisions, 'oxen and fatlings,' are ready. This emphasizes the abundance and completeness of God's provision for salvation and communion. It underscores divine grace, offering a second, more urgent appeal, highlighting the immense effort and cost God undertakes to prepare for His people. The phrase 'all things are ready' conveys a sense of divine urgency.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Again he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them that are bidden, Behold, I have made ready my dinner; my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come to the marriage feast.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Again he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them that are bidden, Behold, I have made ready my dinner; my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come to the marriage feast.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Again he sent out other servants, with orders to say to the guests, See, I have made ready my feast: my oxen and my fat beasts have been put to death, and all things are ready: come to the feast.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Again he sent forth other servants, saying, Say to those who have been called: Lo, my dinner I prepared, my oxen and the fatlings have been killed, and all things <FI>are<Fi> ready, come ye to the marriage-feasts;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that were invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my beeves and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come ye to the marriage.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Again he sent other bondmen, saying, Say to the persons invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fatted beasts are killed, and all things ready; come to the wedding feast.
Context
This verse shows the king's persistent graciousness in the face of the first refusal. It escalates the invitation with more details about the lavish preparations, emphasizing the king's earnest desire for the guests to attend. This repeated invitation heightens the culpability of those who will continue to refuse, making their subsequent actions even more egregious.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nehemiah 9:17
and refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and forsookest them not.
- Matthew 22:8
Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they that were bidden were not worthy.
- John 6:50
This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
- Acts 11:19
They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews.
- Psalms 86:5
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness unto all them that call upon thee.
- Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
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