1. ' Atfoxpideig, answering) Not only he who has been questioned, but he also to whom a reason for speaking has been given, may rightly be said to answer. — -raX/i/, again) construe this word with sv KapaiSohaig, in parables, i.e. with the design of putting forth more.
3. Ka?Jffa/ robs xsxT^aii/oi/s, to call those that had been called) The first call was before the wedding ; the second, on the day of its celebration.
4. "Apmrov, dinner) sc. with regard to the Jews in the early time of the New Testament dispensation, but supper with regard to the saints at the actual consummation of the spiritual marriage : see Rev. xix. 9.1 This parable embraces the history of the Church from the one time to the other. — riroi^aaa, I have pre pared} Our salvation is effected, not by our power, but by that of God. — ffinara, failings) a general word. — Trai-ra, all things) For there are many things besides oxen and fatlings. — foDrg, come) sc. forthwith.
5. ' Af&tXriaavrss, making light of, neglecting) This is a greater offence than the previous, They would not come. They ought
1 For although we freely grant that by the term yd^o; at times is meant, according to the Scripture style, any solemn feast whatever ; yet that this more general meaning holds good in this passage, is by some concluded, from the fact that mention of the Bride is wanting here, with more confidence than is warranted. For instance, in ch. xxv. 1, etc., where the Bridegroom is once or twice mentioned, the mention of the Bride also is not introduced even by the smallest word. Moreover, 1 feel fully persuaded that the analogy of the texts, Matt. xxii. 2, 13, when compared with Rev. xix. 9, 20, requires the more strict signification in this place. Nor can I think that no weight is to be rested on the fact, that the word ytkpos in that one parable is re peated eight times, and only once it is called oipioT-ov. Finally, dya,6»\ qpipott yapuv x.a.1 iv/ppoavvys (Esth. ix. 22), lead to the meaning, the so-called nuptial (joyous) life, in general, more readily even than the expression here, fTroiwf yd/xovf ry viy »VTW ; not to mention that the very Feast of Purim, mentioned in the passage of Esther, plainly involves a remembrance of the nuptials (in the strict sense) celebrated between the King and Esther. Comp. ch. ii. 17, 18.— E. B.