Devine Scripture

Matthew 22:9

What does Matthew 22:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 22:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 22:9 means

The king then instructs his servants to go to the 'partings of the highways' and invite 'as many as' they find to the marriage feast. This represents God's universal invitation to salvation, extended beyond the initial, privileged recipients (Israel) to all nations and peoples. The highways symbolize the open access to all individuals, irrespective of their former status or background. This expands the scope of God's grace, emphasizing that the kingdom is not exclusive but available to anyone willing to come.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Go then to the cross-roads, and get all those whom you see to come to the bride-feast.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

be going, then, on to the cross-ways, and as many as ye may find, call ye to the marriage-feasts.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Go ye therefore into the highways; and as many as you shall find, call to the marriage.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

go therefore into the thoroughfares of the highways, and as many as ye shall find invite to the wedding feast.

Context

This verse immediately follows the king's declaration that the original guests were unworthy and represents a crucial shift in the parable. It dramatically broadens the scope of the invitation, moving from an exclusive group to 'as many as ye shall find.' This sets the stage for the gathering of a diverse assembly of guests, transforming the exclusivity of the initial invitation into a universal call.

v.8Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they that were bidden were not worthy.

v.9This passage

v.10And 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.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 24:47

    and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

  • Isaiah 55:1

    Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

  • Proverbs 9:4

    Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: As for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,

  • Proverbs 1:20

    Wisdom crieth aloud in the street; She uttereth her voice in the broad places;

  • Proverbs 8:1

    Doth not wisdom cry, And understanding put forth her voice?

  • Acts 13:47

    For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the earth.

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