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.

MATTHEW 22:10KJV
Know the Bible

Matthew 22:10 (KJV)

What does Matthew 22:10 mean?

Matthew 22:10 describes how the king’s servants went out into the streets and brought in everyone they could find, both morally upright and morally questionable people, so that the wedding celebration would be filled with guests. The verse shows that the invitation to the wedding feast was extended to all kinds of people, not just a select group.

In this part of Jesus’ parable, He is speaking to a crowd that includes religious leaders. The story is about a king (representing God) inviting people to his son’s wedding feast. After the original invitees refused, the king’s servants gathered anyone they could find, showing a wide and unexpected invitation. The verse highlights the openness and inclusivity of the king’s call, regardless of the guests’ backgrounds.

The Greek behind Matthew 22:10

  • The word "servants" (δοῦλοι, douloi) refers to those sent by the king, emphasizing their role as messengers carrying out the king’s wishes rather than acting on their own.
  • The phrase "both bad and good" (πονηρούς τε καὶ ἀγαθούς, ponērous te kai agathous) makes it clear that the invitation was not based on moral standing; everyone was welcome, which would have surprised Jesus’ original audience.
  • The word "highways" (ὁδοὺς, hodous) refers to the main roads or thoroughfares, suggesting the servants went beyond the usual places to find people, symbolizing the broad reach of the invitation.

Why Matthew 22:10 matters

  • Matthew 22:10 corrects the idea that only certain people are worthy of God’s invitation; it shows that the call goes out to everyone, regardless of their past or status.
  • The verse sets up the rest of the parable, where the focus shifts from who is invited to how the guests respond once they are inside.
  • This verse helps readers see the generosity and unexpected nature of God’s invitation, which is a key theme in Jesus’ teaching throughout the Gospel.

Where else these words appear

“guests” Greek G345 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 9:10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
  • Mark 5:40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
  • Luke 22:27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

“wedding” Greek G1062 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 22:2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
  • Matthew 22:11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
  • John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

“furnished” Greek G4130 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 27:48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
  • Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
  • Acts 3:10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

“together” Greek G4863 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
  • Matthew 27:27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
  • John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.