The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 352

EXPOSITION. Thie bears great reeemblanoe to the parable OHAPTER XXII. of the great supper (Luke xiv.), which, Vera. 1-14.-Parable of the marriage of however, was spoken at an earlier period,. the king's son. (Peculiar to St. Matthew.) in another locality, and with a different object, and disagrees in tna.ny details, espe- Ver. 1.-J'elJllS answered and spake unto cially in the absence of the wedding gar- them. After they had heard onr Lord's ment. Christ, doubtless, often repeated his words at the end of the last chapter, the parables with variations in particulars to .Puarisees, according to St. Mark, "left him, BUit time, audiences, and ciroumstanc011. aud went their way," so that this parable Ver. 2.-The kingdom of heaven is like WB.11 spoken in the audience of the disciples (comp. eh. XL I). Thie parable supple- and the attendant multitude alone, without ments tllat of the wicked husbandmen. A.e the former diaturbing element. This fact that referred to J ewiah times, so this refer11 may account for its exhibiting certain to gospel times. The householder in the merciful aud gracious features, setting forth one becomes the king in the other ; one the privilege rather than the duty of obey- demands work and duty, the other bestowB ii,g the gospel call The term "answered" gifts and blessings; one is angered at in- often does not signify a reply given to some gratitude for favours -received, the other distinct question, but is equivalent to "took punishes for contempt of offered bounty. A occasion to observe" (comp. eh. xi. 25, etc.). certain king; o.v6ptfi1r'f' /3a.<Tt.A<i : a man a king, Here the occa.siou was the insidious schemes even God the Father, the expreeaion denot• of bis enemies. Again. With reference to ing "the Almighty's wonderful con~esoeD;- the two parables in tlrn preceding chapter. eion, as assimilating himself to our mfirm1- Pe.rables. The plural denotes the class to tiee in his dispensations towards us" (I. which the discourse belongs; or it may Wmiams). Made a marriage; -ycl.µ.ovs: refor to the many parabolic dctaild cou- mar-riagefesti'cities; the plural perhaps denot- tained herein. Only one parable foll owe. ing thedaya consumed in the celebration (110& <1u. xxn.1-46.J THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 3G7