New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 22:4

Render Unto Caesar

Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ Matthew 22:4 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Matthew 22:4, in plain English

The king sends more servants: 'Tell them everything is ready — the best food, the finest celebration. Come to the wedding!'

Why it's here

The king doesn't give up after the first rejection. He tries again, with even more detail about how good it will be.

Who's speaking

The king pleads with his guests through a second round of invitations.

Where it sits in the story

God keeps inviting. Even after the first rejection, He sends more messengers with more detail about what's waiting.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

The king sends a second wave of servants with an even more urgent and detailed invitation: the feast is ready, the fattened cattle (sitista) slaughtered — everything prepared. Come!

Language and setting

The repetition shows extraordinary patience and persistence; the king could have responded to the first refusal with punishment but instead extends grace.

Voice

The king makes a second, more urgent appeal through additional servants.

Significance

The king's persistence mirrors God's relentless invitation: everything is ready, the cost has been paid — just come.

In context

Matthew 22:2–6

2“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.

3He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come.

4Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

5But they paid no attention and went away, one to his field, another to his business.

6The rest seized his servants, mistreated them, and killed them.

Read all of Matthew 22 — A wedding banquet, a trick question about taxes, and the greatest commandment — Jesus outmaneuvers every trap set for him.

Understand every verse, not just this one

This page covers one. BibleKey does all 31,102 — tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and keep reading without leaving the chapter.

Get BibleKey

Understand every verse.

Not just the famous ones. BibleKey is free on iPhone and iPad.

Download on the App Store

Free on iPhone & iPad