What Does Matthew 22:3 Mean in the King James?
And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The guests are called by the servants and described as people already called, yet they refuse to come.
THE MEANING
A summons can reach you without determining your response: being invited and coming remain distinct movements. Here the refusal is not a failure to hear but an unwillingness to arrive.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie this undoes is that a genuine invitation makes response automatic; the called can still refuse to come.
THE ROOT
καλέσαι
kalesai
GROWS FROM
καλε-
kale-
To call, summon, invite, or name.
“call / bidden” in this verse is kalesai. Matthew uses the same verb, καλέω (kaleō, “to call”), in καλέσαι (kalesai, “to call”) and κεκλημένους (keklēmenous, “those already called or invited”). English gives them “call” and “bidden,” hiding the repeated root, and showing that the refusal comes after the summons has reached them.
ALSO GROWS
klēsis: Calling, invitation.
κλῆσις
This noun keeps the act of calling close to the invitation itself, echoing how Matthew’s guests are summoned.
klētos: Called, invited.
κλητός
This related form names a person by their relation to the call, as the guests here are already marked by the invitation.
THE PATTERN
A summons can be heard and still be refused; invitation and response are distinct.
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.THE THREAD
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.Romans uses the same verb, καλέω (kaleō, “call”), and links the called with alignment and weight. Set beside Matthew, it makes the space between invitation and arrival visible.
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