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

MATTHEW 22:5KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“of” Greek G272 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Timothy 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
  • Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
  • Hebrews 8:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

“farm” Greek G68 · used in 34 verses

  • Matthew 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
  • Matthew 27:7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
  • Luke 8:34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.

“his” Greek G2398 · used in 109 verses

  • Matthew 9:1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
  • John 19:27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
  • Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

“ways” Greek G565 · used in 118 verses

  • Matthew 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
  • Mark 5:20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
  • Luke 24:12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.