Matthew 22
The wedding banquet
And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, 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. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 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.
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.
Jesus compares the kingdom to a king's wedding feast for his son. The invited guests refuse to come, some even killing the king's servants; the king destroys them and their city, and sends his servants to invite everyone they can find, bad and good. One guest without wedding clothes is thrown out. Jesus concludes that many are called but few are chosen.
What does this mean?
The meaning of the wedding garment is debated; it is often taken to stand for a life that matches the invitation, such as righteousness or repentance. 'Called' means invited; 'chosen' means accepted in the end.
Historical context
Wealthy hosts sent an invitation in advance and a second summons when the feast was ready, so refusing at the last moment was a serious insult.
Why does it matter?
Many scholars think the king burning the city alludes to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, known to Matthew's first readers; others see a conventional image of royal punishment. Luke has a simpler banquet parable without the king, the violence or the wedding garment (Luke 14:15–24).
Editorial notes, not scripture.