Matthew 22:5 (KJV)

What does Matthew 22:5 mean?

Matthew 22:5 describes how the people who were invited to a king’s banquet ignored the invitation and went back to their everyday business, with one going to his farm and another to his trade. The verse shows that those invited did not take the king’s call seriously and chose their own concerns over attending the feast.

In this part of Jesus’ parable, He is speaking to a crowd that includes religious leaders in Jerusalem. The king in the story represents God, and the invited guests are those who were first offered a place in God’s kingdom. By mentioning the farm and merchandise, the verse highlights how ordinary, daily priorities can distract people from something far more important being offered to them.

The Greek behind Matthew 22:5

• ἐπορεύθησαν (G565, "went their ways"): This Greek word often means to go or travel, but here it carries the sense of deliberately turning away or choosing a different path, showing intentional disregard for the invitation.
• ἀγρόν (G68, "farm"): This word refers to a field or piece of land. Mentioning it makes the story concrete, showing that the guests’ excuses were about everyday work, not emergencies.
• ἐμπορίαν (G1711, "merchandise"): This word means business or trade, emphasizing that the other guest was focused on commercial interests. The verse contrasts these ordinary concerns with the significance of the king’s invitation.

Why Matthew 22:5 matters

• Matthew 22:5 clarifies that the rejection of the invitation was not out of hostility, but out of indifference and preoccupation with daily life, which can be just as significant a barrier.
• The verse helps the reader see how Jesus’ parable is not just about open rebellion, but about the danger of letting routine and business crowd out what truly matters.
• In the context of the parable, this verse sets up the king’s response and the shift to inviting others, showing that the kingdom’s invitation will go beyond those who first received it.