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Matthew 22

World English Bible, Catholic edition, in plain modern English. About the translations

¹ Jesus answered and spoke to them again in parables, saying, CCC · Fathers

² “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who made a wedding feast for his son,

³ and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Fathers

⁴ Again he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner. My cattle and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding feast!”’

⁵ But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise;

⁶ and the rest grabbed his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.

⁷ When the king heard that, he was angry, and sent his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Fathers

⁸ “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited weren’t worthy.

⁹ Go therefore to the intersections of the highways, and as many as you may find, invite to the wedding feast.’

¹⁰ Those servants went out into the highways and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. The wedding was filled with guests. Fathers

¹¹ “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn’t have on wedding clothing,

¹² and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here not wearing wedding clothing?’ He was speechless.

¹³ Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness. That is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.’ CCC · Fathers

¹⁴ For many are called, but few chosen.” Fathers

¹⁵ Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk.

¹⁶ They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the way of God in truth, no matter whom you teach; for you aren’t partial to anyone.

¹⁷ Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” Fathers

¹⁸ But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites?

¹⁹ Show me the tax money.” They brought to him a denarius. Fathers

²⁰ He asked them, “Whose is this image and inscription?” Fathers

²¹ They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” CCC · Fathers

²² When they heard it, they marveled, and left him and went away.

²³ On that day Sadducees (those who say that there is no resurrection) came to him. They asked him, CCC

²⁴ saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.’ CCC

²⁵ Now there were with us seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother.

²⁶ In the same way, the second also, and the third, to the seventh.

²⁷ After them all, the woman died.

²⁸ In the resurrection therefore, whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all had her.”

²⁹ But Jesus answered them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. Fathers

³⁰ For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like God’s angels in heaven.

³¹ But concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read that which was spoken to you by God, saying,

³² ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

³³ When the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.

³⁴ But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together. CCC

³⁵ One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him. CCC

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” CCC

³⁷ Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ CCC

³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. CCC

³⁹ A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ CCC

⁴⁰ The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” CCC

⁴¹ Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, CCC

⁴² saying, “What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “Of David.” CCC

⁴³ He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying, CCC · Fathers

⁴⁴ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet’? CCC · Fathers

⁴⁵ “If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” CCC · Fathers

⁴⁶ No one was able to answer him a word, neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that day forward. CCC

¹ And Jesus answering, spoke again in parables to them, saying: CCC · Fathers

² The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king who made a marriage for his son.

³ And he sent his servants to call them that were invited to the marriage: and they would not come. Fathers

⁴ Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that were invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my beeves and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come ye to the marriage.

⁵ But they neglected and went their ways, one to his farm and another to his merchandise.

⁶ And the rest laid hands on his servants and, having treated them contumeliously, put them to death.

⁷ But when the king had heard of it, he was angry: and sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers and burnt their city. Fathers

⁸ Then he saith to his servants: The marriage indeed is ready; but they that were invited were not worthy.

⁹ Go ye therefore into the highways; and as many as you shall find, call to the marriage.

¹⁰ And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all that they found, both bad and good: and the marriage was filled with guests. Fathers

¹¹ And the king went in to see the guests: and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment.

¹² And he saith to him: Friend, how camest thou in hither not having on a wedding garment? But he was silent.

¹³ Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. CCC · Fathers

¹⁴ For many are called, but few are chosen. Fathers

¹⁵ Then the Pharisees going, consulted among themselves how to insnare him in his speech.

¹⁶ And they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying: Master, we know that thou art a true speaker and teachest the way of God in truth. Neither carest thou for any man: for thou dost not regard the person of men.

¹⁷ Tell us therefore what dost thou think? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Fathers

¹⁸ But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said: Why do you tempt me, ye hypocrites?

¹⁹ Shew me the coin of the tribute. And they offered him a penny. Fathers

²⁰ And Jesus saith to them: Whose image and inscription is this? Fathers

²¹ They say to him: Caesar’s. Then he saith to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God, the things that are God’s. CCC · Fathers

²² And hearing this, they wondered and, leaving him, went their ways.

²³ That day there came to him the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection; and asked him, CCC

²⁴ Saying: Master, Moses said: If a man die having no son, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up issue to his brother. CCC

²⁵ Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first having married a wife, died; and not having issue, left his wife to his brother.

²⁶ In like manner the second and the third and so on, to the seventh.

²⁷ And last of all the woman died also.

²⁸ At the resurrection therefore, whose wife of the seven shall she be? For they all had her.

²⁹ And Jesus answering, said to them: You err, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. Fathers

³⁰ For in the resurrection they shall neither marry nor be married, but shall be as the angels of God in heaven.

³¹ And concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken by God, saying to you:

³² I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.

³³ And the multitudes hearing it were in admiration at his doctrine.

³⁴ But the Pharisees, hearing that he had silenced the Sadducees, came together. CCC

³⁵ And one of them, a doctor of the law, asked him, tempting him: CCC

³⁶ Master, which is the great commandment in the law? CCC

³⁷ Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind. CCC

³⁸ This is the greatest and the first commandment. CCC

³⁹ And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. CCC

⁴⁰ On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets. CCC

⁴¹ And the Pharisees being gathered together, Jesus asked them, CCC

⁴² Saying: What think you of Christ? Whose son is he? They say to him: David’s. CCC

⁴³ He saith to them: How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying: CCC · Fathers

⁴⁴ The Lord said to my Lord: Sit on my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool? CCC · Fathers

⁴⁵ If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? CCC · Fathers

⁴⁶ And no man was able to answer him a word: neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. CCC

This chapter in the Catechism and the early Church

Where the Catechism of the Catholic Church cites these verses (from its footnotes on vatican.va), and where the earliest Church Fathers quote them (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1, public domain). Short quotes only; follow the links for the full text.

Verse 1CCC 546 CCC 796
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 546 “Jesus' invitation to enter his kingdom comes in the form of parables, a characteristic feature of his teaching. Through his parables he…”
- CCC 796 “The unity of Christ and the Church, head and members of one Body, also implies the distinction of the two within a…”
- “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
  Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXXVI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Verse 3
Read the Fathers
- “For He commissioned [messengers] to call people to the marriage, but they who did not obey Him deprived themselves of the royal supper.”
  Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXXIX. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Verse 7
Read the Fathers
- “… them]; but the most righteous Retributor metes out [punishment] according to their deserts, most deservedly, to the ungrateful and to those that are insensible of His kindness; and therefore does He say, "He sent His armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.”
  Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXXVI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Verse 10
Read the Fathers
- “And this is the couch on which the guests shall recline, having been invited to the wedding.”
  Quoted in Against Heresies, Book V, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXXVI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Verse 13CCC 1036
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 1036 “The affirmations of Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Church on the subject of hell are a call to the responsibility…”
- “not received the Holy Spirit, because of their wicked conduct "shall be," He declares, "cast into outer darkness.”
  Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXXVI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Verse 14
Read the Fathers
- “For as in the former covenant, "with many of them was He not well pleased;" so also is it the case here, that "many are called, but few chosen.”
  Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXXVI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Verse 17
Read the Fathers
- “… if one ought to pay tribute to Cæsar; and He answered, "Tell Me, whose image does the coin bear?" And they said, "Cæsar's." And again He answered them, "Render therefore to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and to God the things that are God's.”
  Quoted in First Apology, St. Justin Martyr (c. AD 155), Chapter XVII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Verse 19
Read the Fathers
- “… if one ought to pay tribute to Cæsar; and He answered, "Tell Me, whose image does the coin bear?" And they said, "Cæsar's." And again He answered them, "Render therefore to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and to God the things that are God's.”
  Quoted in First Apology, St. Justin Martyr (c. AD 155), Chapter XVII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Verse 20
Read the Fathers
- “… if one ought to pay tribute to Cæsar; and He answered, "Tell Me, whose image does the coin bear?" And they said, "Cæsar's." And again He answered them, "Render therefore to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and to God the things that are God's.”
  Quoted in First Apology, St. Justin Martyr (c. AD 155), Chapter XVII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Verse 21CCC 2242
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 2242 “The citizen is obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they are contrary to the demands of…”
- “… if one ought to pay tribute to Cæsar; and He answered, "Tell Me, whose image does the coin bear?" And they said, "Cæsar's." And again He answered them, "Render therefore to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and to God the things that are God's.”
  Quoted in First Apology, St. Justin Martyr (c. AD 155), Chapter XVII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
- “Much more [would this be the case with regard to] the Lord Himself, who did also direct us to "render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and to God the things that are God's;”
  Quoted in Against Heresies, Book III, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter VIII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Verse 23CCC 575 CCC 581
Read the Catechism
- CCC 575 “Many of Jesus' deeds and words constituted a "sign of contradiction", but more so for the religious authorities in Jerusalem, whom the…”
- CCC 581 “The Jewish people and their spiritual leaders viewed Jesus as a rabbi. He often argued within the framework of rabbinical interpretation of…”
Verse 24CCC 581
Read the Catechism
- CCC 581 “The Jewish people and their spiritual leaders viewed Jesus as a rabbi. He often argued within the framework of rabbinical interpretation of…”
Verse 29
Read the Fathers
- “To those, therefore, who are ignorant of these matters, and on this account imagine that they have discovered another Father, justly does one say, "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.”
  Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter V. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
- “… err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God." "For, touching the resurrection of the dead," He says, "have ye not read that which was spoken by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?”
  Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter V. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
- “How, too, could He have subdued”
  Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXXIII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Verse 34CCC 581 CCC 2196
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- CCC 581 “The Jewish people and their spiritual leaders viewed Jesus as a rabbi. He often argued within the framework of rabbinical interpretation of…”
- CCC 2196 “In response to the question about the first of the commandments, Jesus says: "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our…”
Verse 35CCC 581 CCC 2196
Read the Catechism
- CCC 581 “The Jewish people and their spiritual leaders viewed Jesus as a rabbi. He often argued within the framework of rabbinical interpretation of…”
- CCC 2196 “In response to the question about the first of the commandments, Jesus says: "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our…”
Verse 36CCC 581 CCC 2055 CCC 2196
Read the Catechism
- CCC 581 “The Jewish people and their spiritual leaders viewed Jesus as a rabbi. He often argued within the framework of rabbinical interpretation of…”
- CCC 2055 “When someone asks him, "Which commandment in the Law is the greatest?" Jesus replies: "You shall love the Lord your God with…”
- CCC 2196 “In response to the question about the first of the commandments, Jesus says: "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our…”
Verse 37CCC 2055 CCC 2083 CCC 2196
Read the Catechism
- CCC 2055 “When someone asks him, "Which commandment in the Law is the greatest?" Jesus replies: "You shall love the Lord your God with…”
- CCC 2083 “Jesus summed up man's duties toward God in this saying: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and…”
- CCC 2196 “In response to the question about the first of the commandments, Jesus says: "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our…”
Verse 38CCC 2055 CCC 2196
Read the Catechism
- CCC 2055 “When someone asks him, "Which commandment in the Law is the greatest?" Jesus replies: "You shall love the Lord your God with…”
- CCC 2196 “In response to the question about the first of the commandments, Jesus says: "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our…”
Verse 39CCC 2055 CCC 2196
Read the Catechism
- CCC 2055 “When someone asks him, "Which commandment in the Law is the greatest?" Jesus replies: "You shall love the Lord your God with…”
- CCC 2196 “In response to the question about the first of the commandments, Jesus says: "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our…”
Verse 40CCC 1824 CCC 2055 CCC 2196
Read the Catechism
- CCC 1824 “Fruit of the Spirit and fullness of the Law, charity keeps the commandments of God and his Christ: "Abide in my love.…”
- CCC 2055 “When someone asks him, "Which commandment in the Law is the greatest?" Jesus replies: "You shall love the Lord your God with…”
- CCC 2196 “In response to the question about the first of the commandments, Jesus says: "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our…”
Verse 41CCC 439 CCC 447
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- CCC 439 “Many Jews and even certain Gentiles who shared their hope recognized in Jesus the fundamental attributes of the messianic "Son of David",…”
- CCC 447 “Jesus ascribes this title to himself in a veiled way when he disputes with the Pharisees about the meaning of Psalm 110,…”
Verse 42CCC 439 CCC 447
Read the Catechism
- CCC 439 “Many Jews and even certain Gentiles who shared their hope recognized in Jesus the fundamental attributes of the messianic "Son of David",…”
- CCC 447 “Jesus ascribes this title to himself in a veiled way when he disputes with the Pharisees about the meaning of Psalm 110,…”
Verse 43CCC 439 CCC 447
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 439 “Many Jews and even certain Gentiles who shared their hope recognized in Jesus the fundamental attributes of the messianic "Son of David",…”
- CCC 447 “Jesus ascribes this title to himself in a veiled way when he disputes with the Pharisees about the meaning of Psalm 110,…”
- “saith, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.”
  Quoted in The Letter of Barnabas, Unknown author (early 2nd century), Chapter XII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
- “For if He were the son of Joseph, how could He be greater than Solomon, or greater than Jonah, or greater than David,”
  Quoted in Against Heresies, Book III, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
- “And how could He (Christ) have been greater than Solomon, or greater than Jonah, or have been the Lord of David,”
  Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXXIII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Verse 44CCC 439 CCC 447
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 439 “Many Jews and even certain Gentiles who shared their hope recognized in Jesus the fundamental attributes of the messianic "Son of David",…”
- CCC 447 “Jesus ascribes this title to himself in a veiled way when he disputes with the Pharisees about the meaning of Psalm 110,…”
- “saith, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.”
  Quoted in The Letter of Barnabas, Unknown author (early 2nd century), Chapter XII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Verse 45CCC 439 CCC 447
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 439 “Many Jews and even certain Gentiles who shared their hope recognized in Jesus the fundamental attributes of the messianic "Son of David",…”
- CCC 447 “Jesus ascribes this title to himself in a veiled way when he disputes with the Pharisees about the meaning of Psalm 110,…”
- “saith, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.”
  Quoted in The Letter of Barnabas, Unknown author (early 2nd century), Chapter XII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Verse 46CCC 439 CCC 447
Read the Catechism
- CCC 439 “Many Jews and even certain Gentiles who shared their hope recognized in Jesus the fundamental attributes of the messianic "Son of David",…”
- CCC 447 “Jesus ascribes this title to himself in a veiled way when he disputes with the Pharisees about the meaning of Psalm 110,…”

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