1    2   Then Jesus spoke to them again in parables: ‘The kingdom of Heaven is like this. There was a king who prepared a feast for his son's wedding; 3   but when he sent his servants to summon the guests he had invited, they would not come. 4   He sent others again, telling them to say to the guests, “See now! I have prepared this feast for you. I have had my bullocks and fatted beasts slaughtered; everything is ready; come to the wedding at once.” 5   But they took no notice; 6   one went off to his farm, another to his business, and the others seized the servants, attacked them brutally, and killed them. 7   The king was furious; he sent troops to kill those murderers and set their town on fire. 8   Then he said to his servants, “The wedding-feast is ready; but the guests I invited did not deserve the honour. 9   Go out to the main thoroughfares, and invite everyone you can find to the wedding.” 10   The servants went out into the streets, and collected all they could find, good and bad alike. So the hall was packed with guests.

11   ‘When the king came in to see the company at table, he observed one man who was not dressed for a wedding. 12   “My friend,” said the king, “how do you come to be here without your wedding clothes?” 13   He had nothing to say. The king then said to his attendants, “Bind him hand and foot; turn him out into the dark, the place of wailing and grinding of teeth.” 14   For though many are invited, few are chosen.’

Challenge to Jerusalem

15   Then the Pharisees went away and agreed on a plan to trap him in his own words. 16   Some of their followers were sent to him in company with men of Herod's party. They said, ‘Master, you are an honest man, we know; you teach in all honesty the way of life that God requires, truckling to no man, whoever he may be. 17   Give us your ruling on this: are we or are we not permitted to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor?’ 18   Jesus was aware of their malicious intention and said to them, ‘You hypocrites! Why are you trying to catch me out? 19   Show me the money in which the tax is paid.’ They handed him a silver piece. 20   Jesus asked, ‘Whose head is this, and whose inscription?’ 21   ‘Caesar's,’, they replied. He said to them, ‘Then pay Caesar what is due to Caesar, and pay God what is due to God.’ 22   This answer took them by surprise, and they went away and left him alone.

23   The same day Sadducees came to him, maintaining that there is no resurrection. 24   Their question was this: ‘Master, Moses said, “If a man should die childless, his brother shall marry the widow and carry on his brother's family.” 25   Now we knew of seven brothers. The first married and died, and as he was without issue his wife was left to his brother. 26   The same thing happened with the second, and the third, and so on with all seven. 27   Last of all the woman died. 28   At the resurrection, then, whose wife will she be, for they had all married her?’ 29   Jesus answered: ‘You are mistaken, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God. 30   At the resurrection men and women do not marry; they are like angels in heaven.

31   ‘But about the resurrection of the dead, have you never read what God himself said to you: 32   “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”? He is not God of the dead but of the living.’ 33   The people heard what he said, and were astounded at his teaching.

34   Hearing that he had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees met together; and one of their number ^note tested him with this question: 35    ‘Master, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ 36    37   He answered, ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind.” 38   That is the greatest commandment. 39   It comes first. The second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” 40   Everything in the Law and the prophets hangs on these two commandments.’

Challenge to Jerusalem

41    42   Turning to the assembled Pharisees Jesus asked them, ‘What is your opinion about the Messiah? Whose son is he?’ ‘The son of David’, they replied. 43   ‘How then is it’, he asked, ‘that David by inspiration calls him “Lord”? 44   For he says, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.’” 45   If David calls him “Lord”, how can he be David's son?’ 46   Not a man could say a word in reply;and from that day forward no one dared ask him another question.

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