The Chosen Ones
“For there are many invited, but few chosen.” - Matthew 22:14
Who are the chosen one in the Matthew 22:1-14?
Here is the full text of Jesus’ illustration from Matthew 22:1–14:
Once more Jesus spoke to them with illustrations, saying: “The Kingdom of the heavens may be likened to a king who made a marriage feast for his son. And he sent his slaves to call those invited to the marriage feast, but they were unwilling to come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Look! I have prepared my dinner, my bulls and fattened animals are slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the marriage feast.”’ But unconcerned they went off, one to his own field, another to his business; but the rest, seizing his slaves, treated them insolently and killed them. The king grew wrathful and sent his armies and killed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, ‘The marriage feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Therefore, go to the roads leading out of the city, and invite anyone you find to the marriage feast.’ Accordingly, those slaves went out to the roads and gathered all they found, both wicked and good; and the room for the wedding ceremonies was filled with those dining. When the king came in to inspect the guests, he caught sight of a man not wearing a marriage garment. So he said to him, ‘Fellow, how did you get in here without a marriage garment?’ He was speechless. Then the king said to his servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and throw him into the darkness outside. There is where his weeping and the gnashing of his teeth will be.’ “For there are many invited, but few chosen.”
According to the book Jesus—The Way, the Truth, the Life, published in 2015 by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, we gain the following understanding:
As Jesus’ ministry draws to an end, he continues to use illustrations to expose the scribes and the chief priests. Hence, they want to kill him. (Luke 20:19) But Jesus is not finished exposing them. He relates another illustration:
“The Kingdom of the heavens may be likened to a king who made a marriage feast for his son. And he sent his slaves to call those invited to the marriage feast, but they were unwilling to come.” (Matthew 22:2, 3) Jesus introduces his illustration by mentioning “the Kingdom of the heavens.” Logically, then, the “king” must be Jehovah God. What of the king’s son and those invited to the marriage feast? Again, it is not difficult to identify the king’s son as Jehovah’s Son, who is there presenting the illustration, and to grasp that those invited are the ones who will be with the Son in the Kingdom of the heavens.
Who are the first ones to be invited? Well, to whom have Jesus and the apostles been preaching about the Kingdom? It has been to the Jews. (Matthew 10:6, 7; 15:24) This nation accepted the Law covenant in 1513 B.C.E., thereby coming first in line to make up “a kingdom of priests.” (Exodus 19:5-8) But when would they actually be called to “the marriage feast”? Logically, that invitation went out in 29 C.E. when Jesus began preaching about the Kingdom of the heavens.
And how did most Israelites respond to the invitation? As Jesus said, “they were unwilling to come.” The majority of the religious leaders and the people did not accept him as the Messiah and as God’s designated King.
Jesus indicates, though, that the Jews were to have another opportunity: “Again [the king] sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Look! I have prepared my dinner, my bulls and fattened animals are slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the marriage feast.”’ But unconcerned they went off, one to his own field, another to his business; but the rest, seizing his slaves, treated them insolently and killed them.” (Matthew 22:4-6) That corresponds to what would occur once the Christian congregation was established. At that time, the Jews still had the opportunity to be in the Kingdom, yet most spurned this call, even abusing ‘the king’s slaves.’—Acts 4:13-18; 7:54, 58.
With what outcome for the nation? Jesus relates: “The king grew wrathful and sent his armies and killed those murderers and burned their city.” (Matthew 22:7) The Jews experienced that in 70 C.E. when the Romans destroyed “their city,” Jerusalem.
Does their refusing the king’s call mean that no one else would be invited? Not according to Jesus’ illustration. He goes on to say: “Then [the king] said to his slaves, ‘The marriage feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Therefore, go to the roads leading out of the city, and invite anyone you find to the marriage feast.’ Accordingly, those slaves went out to the roads and gathered all they found, both wicked and good; and the room for the wedding ceremonies was filled with those dining.”—Matthew 22:8-10.
Significantly, the apostle Peter would later begin helping Gentiles—ones who were not Jews by birth or conversion—to become true Christians. In 36 C.E., Roman army officer Cornelius and his family received God’s spirit, coming in line for a place in the Kingdom of the heavens that Jesus mentioned.—Acts 10:1, 34-48.
Jesus indicates that not all who come to the feast will finally prove acceptable to “the king.” He says: “When the king came in to inspect the guests, he caught sight of a man not wearing a marriage garment. So he said to him, ‘Fellow, how did you get in here without a marriage garment?’ He was speechless. Then the king said to his servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and throw him into the darkness outside. There is where his weeping and the gnashing of his teeth will be.’ For there are many invited, but few chosen.”—Matthew 22:11-14.
The religious leaders hearing Jesus may not understand the meaning or implications of all that he is saying. Nevertheless, they are displeased and more determined than ever to rid themselves of the one causing them such embarrassment.
Invited to the Marriage Feast—and Chosen to Remain
Being invited to the marriage feast—and even accepting that invitation and arriving—does not automatically grant someone the right to remain there. The parable makes clear that giving honor to the occasion is still a condition; otherwise, the guest dishonors the event and abuses the opportunity. In Jesus’ illustration, the chosen ones are those inspected by the King himself—meaning Jehovah personally ensures that those invited meet His expectations for this sacred event. Only those who meet those expectations are permitted to take part in the marriage feast prepared for His Son.
So, we can see a distinction between those who are merely invited and those who are ultimately chosen. That leads us to a vital next question: Who is the bride?
Here is what we hear every year at the Memorial of Jesus Christ when we, as Jehovah’s Witnesses, gather to commemorate his death: “Those who partake of the bread and the wine tonight should be only the few remaining ones of that number who will rule with Christ in heaven.” This is similar to what happens at a wedding: Only the bride and groom are parties to the marriage vows, while many others may joyfully attend the ceremony.
This beautifully reflects what Jesus told his 11 faithful apostles after Judas left to betray him: “But you are the ones who have stuck with me in my trials; and I make a covenant with you, just as my Father has made a covenant with me, for a Kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom and sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Luke 22:28–30)
This is something not everyone hears. In this book, I reflect often on the ability to hear. Our ears can perceive only what Jehovah opens them to hear. Hearing such an invitation from Jesus requires more than boldness—it requires being chosen. Not merely invited as a guest to the marriage feast, but invited as the bride.
How, then, does one receive such an invitation? I seek to uncover this in the chapter titled My Calling. That chapter is still in progress. I continue working on it as circumstances allow—and the more I write, the more research it demands in order to present the message in a way that truly satisfies my readers. Before you dive into the My Calling page, I encourage you to first familiarize yourself with the pages titled Christ’ Bride and Many Ladies. While I mention them here, I must note that neither of these pages is currently published in the full format I intend. I have developed many notes and thoughts on these topics, but I still need considerable time to refine and organize them before presenting them fully here.
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 11:2: “I personally promised YOU in marriage to one husband, to present YOU as a chaste virgin to the Christ.” Who Are the Ones Promised as a Chaste Virgin to Christ? You Might Be Surprised. Visit my page “Christ’s Bride” to learn more.
The Most Complete Presentation of Christ’s Bride in Revelation
The most complete presentation of Christ’s Bride is revealed in the last two chapters of the book of Revelation. I believe it’s appropriate to present the entire passage here. While reviewing it, consider carefully: Who is she? During what period is this Bride prepared? What is her role?
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. I saw also the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also, he says: “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” And he said to me: “They have come to pass! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To anyone thirsting I will give from the fountain of the water of life free. Anyone conquering will inherit these things, and I shall be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowards and those without faith and those who are disgusting in their filth and murderers and fornicators and those practicing spiritism and idolaters and all the liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This means the second death.”
And one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls that were full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying: “Come here, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” So he carried me away in the spirit to a great and lofty mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and having the glory of God. Its radiance was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone shining crystal-clear. It had a great and lofty wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names were inscribed, which are those of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. On the east were three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. The wall of the city also had twelve foundation stones, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
The one speaking with me had a golden measuring reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. And the city lies foursquare, its length as great as its width. He measured the city with the reed—12,000 furlongs; its length and width and height are equal. Also, he measured its wall—144 cubits by a human measure, which is also an angel’s measure. Now the wall was constructed of jasper, and the city was pure gold like clear glass. The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every sort of precious stone: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh hyacinth, the twelfth amethyst. Also, the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each gate was made of one pearl. And the main street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
I did not see a temple in it, for Jehovah God the Almighty is its temple, also the Lamb. And the city has no need of the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God lights it up, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by means of its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will not be closed at all by day, for night will not exist there. They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. But anything not sacred and anyone who practices what is disgusting and deceitful will in no way enter into it—only those written in the Lamb’s scroll of life.
He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of its main street. And on both sides of the river were trees of life producing twelve crops of fruit, yielding their fruit each month. And the leaves of the trees were for the curing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his slaves will offer him sacred service. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Also, night will be no more, and they will have no need of lamplight or sunlight, because Jehovah God will shed light upon them, and they will rule as kings forever and ever.
Then he said to me: “These words are faithful and true; yes, Jehovah, the God of the inspired expressions of the prophets, sent his angel to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place. And look! I am coming quickly. Happy is anyone observing the words of the prophecy of this scroll.”
I, John, was the one hearing and seeing these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had been showing me these things. But he said to me: “Be careful! Do not do that! I am only a fellow slave of you and of your brothers the prophets and of those observing the words of this scroll. Worship God.”
He also said to me: “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, for the appointed time is near. Let the one who does unrighteousness continue to do unrighteousness, and let the filthy one remain filthy; but let the righteous one keep doing righteousness, and let the holy one continue to be made holy.”
“Look! I am coming quickly, and the reward I give is with me, to repay each one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Happy are those who wash their robes, so that they may have authority to go to the trees of life and may enter into the city through its gates. Outside are the dogs and those who practice spiritism, the fornicators, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.”
“I, Jesus, sent my angel to bear witness to you about these things for the congregations. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright morning star.”
And the spirit and the bride keep on saying: “Come!” And let anyone hearing say: “Come!” And let anyone thirsting come; let anyone who wishes take life’s water free.
“I am bearing witness to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this scroll; and if anyone takes anything away from the words of the scroll of this prophecy, God will take away his portion from the trees of life and out of the holy city, things that are written about in this scroll.”
“The one who bears witness of these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’”
“Amen! Come, Lord Jesus.”
May the undeserved kindness of the Lord Jesus be with the holy ones.