CHAPTER LVI.
THE MARRIAGE FEAST—TRIBUTE TO CESAR—JEWISH INFIDELITY.
AND Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: and the remnant took his servants, and
[275]entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment; and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot,
[276]and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they watched him, and sent forth spies, certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.
And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said,
Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money; bring me a penny, that I may see it.
And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them,
Whose is this image and superscription?
They say unto him, Cesar's. Then saith he unto them,
[277]Render therefore unto Cesar the things which are Cesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
And they could not take hold of his words before the people. When they had heard these words, they marvelled at his answer and held their peace, and left him, and went their way.
The same day came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, died, and having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: and the second took her to wife, and he died childless. And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her to wife. And Jesus answering said unto them,
Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the Scriptures, neither the power of God? The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: but they which shall be
[278]accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels of God in heaven; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living; for all live unto him. Ye therefore do greatly err.
And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said. And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.