Devine Scripture

Matthew 22:8

What does Matthew 22:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 22:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 22:8 means

After the judgment on the rebellious guests, the king declares that the wedding feast is still ready, but those who were initially invited were found 'not worthy,' having forfeited their place through their rejection and violence. This signifies that God's plan for the kingdom feast will not be thwarted by human unbelief. The phrase 'not worthy' emphasizes their culpable unfitness, not based on inherent inability, but on their deliberate, obstinate refusal to accept the generous invitation, paving the way for a broader invitation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they that were bidden were not worthy.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they that were bidden were not worthy.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then he said to his servants, The feast is ready but the guests were not good enough.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

then saith he to his servants, The marriage-feast indeed is ready, and those called were not worthy,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Then he saith to his servants: The marriage indeed is ready; but they that were invited were not worthy.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Then he says to his bondmen, The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy;

Context

This verse marks a transition in the parable, following the king's judgment. It reinforces the king's unwavering intention to proceed with the feast, even if the original guests are no longer welcome. This declaration of unworthiness sets the immediate context for the subsequent, expanded invitation to new guests, demonstrating God’s relentless pursuit of those who will accept His grace.

v.7But the king was wroth; and he sent his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.

v.8This passage

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

Cross references

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

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:5

    which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God; to the end that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

  • Revelation 22:14

    Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.

  • Acts 13:46

    And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

  • Luke 20:35

    but they that are accounted worthy to attain to that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

  • Matthew 10:11

    And into whatsoever city or village ye shall enter, search out who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go forth.

  • Matthew 10:37

    He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

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