Sam's Biblical Insight, Exploring the Word, Faith, Theology, Doctrine, and Christian Life in the Spirit

In Matthew 22:14, Jesus concludes the parable of the wedding banquet with the statement, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” To understand who does the calling and choosing in this parable, we need to consider the context, the specific words Jesus uses, and the implications of the original Greek

1. Who Does the Calling?

In the parable, the King represents God, who extends the initial invitation to the wedding banquet. The Greek verb κεκλημένους (perfect passive participle of καλέω) indicates that the guests were already invited long before the banquet was ready.

This perfect tense emphasizes a completed action with ongoing relevance — they were invited in the past, and that invitation remains open. The parable reflects how God extended His invitation to His chosen people, the Israelites, throughout history, calling them to partake in His Kingdom

2. Who Does the Choosing?

The phrase “few are chosen” does not imply that God selectively chooses only a few from among those invited. Instead, it reflects the response of the invitees themselves.

The Greek phrase ὀλίγοι ἐκλεκτοί (“few are chosen”) consists of two adjectives used as nouns. This structure emphasizes the number of those who actually responded properly to the invitation. The “choosing” in this context refers to those who chose to attend the banquet with the proper heart and preparation.

The parable underscores that being called or invited by God does not automatically grant entrance to the Kingdom. It requires a willing and appropriate response from those invited, symbolized by coming properly dressed for the occasion (i.e., with repentance and righteousness).

3. Theological Implication: The Book of Life and Human Responsibility

In the context of God’s plan of redemption, the term κεκλημένους can carry a deeper significance. It refers to those whose names are already written in the Book of Life—akin to a wedding guest list. These are the ones whom God has foreknown and invited into His Kingdom.

However, being on the guest list is not enough. The invitation requires a genuine response. The parable illustrates that while all are invited, not everyone chooses to respond appropriately. Those who are ultimately considered “chosen” are those who accept the invitation and come properly prepared, symbolized by the appropriate wedding garment.

Jesus emphasizes that although God’s invitation is extended broadly (“many are called”), only a few accept it as required. The parable shows that while many were invited, some refused to come outright, while others came improperly dressed, symbolizing a lack of genuine preparation or repentance.

This highlights the significant role of human responsibility. The invitation is God’s initiative, but the response is up to each individual. The parable serves as a powerful reminder that free will plays a critical role in determining who enters the Kingdom.

Conclusion: Conclusion: Free Will and the Call to God’s Kingdom

God is the one who calls, extending His invitation to all, especially to those He foreknew (κεκλημένους), signifying those whose names are written in the Book of Life. However, the phrase “few are chosen” does not indicate that God selectively chooses only a few to attend. Instead, it reflects the fact that among the many who are called, only a few choose to respond appropriately.

The parable and Jesus’ concluding statement — “many are called, but few are chosen” — contextually and syntactically imply the significant role of human free will in responding to God’s call. The invitation is extended to all according to God’s guest list, but entry into the Kingdom ultimately depends on each person’s free-will choice to accept that invitation, repent, and follow through with the commitment required by the gospel.

This underscores that while God initiates the call, it is up to individuals to respond willingly and enter into the fullness of what God has prepared for those who love Him.

Sola Scriptura!