What does “Many are called but few are chosen” in Matthew 22:14 mean?

Response

This declaration serves as the conclusion to the Parable of the Wedding Feast. Jesus shared this parable to illustrate the nature of the kingdom of heaven when the end of the age arrives. In the parable, the king dispatches his servants to summon the wedding guests to the feast. However, those who were invited declined to attend; some were preoccupied with their worldly pursuits, while others harbored hostility towards the king. Consequently, the king instructs his servants to invite anyone they encounter, resulting in many attendees filling the wedding hall. Yet, the king notices one guest without appropriate attire and dismisses him. Jesus concludes by stating that many are called or invited to the kingdom, but only those who are “chosen” and have accepted Christ will attend. Those who attempt to enter without the covering of Christ’s blood for their sins are inadequately dressed and will be cast into “outer darkness” (v. 13), signifying hell.

Many individuals hear God’s call through His revelation in creation, conscience, and the preaching of His Word. However, only the “few” will respond because they are the ones truly attentive. Jesus frequently stated, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15;Mark 4:9;Luke 8:8,14:35). The essence is that everyone possesses ears, but only a few are actively listening and responding. Not all who hear the gospel accept it, only the “few” with receptive ears. The “many” hear but lack interest or harbor outright hostility towards God. Many are called or invited to the kingdom, yet none can come on their own accord. God must draw their hearts.

Of those who come; otherwise, they will not “No man can come to me, except the Father who has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”, (John 6:44).

Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” God creates life, grants repentance, and gives faith. Man is totally unable by himself to do these things necessary to enter the kingdom of heaven. Ephesians 1:4-6: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” Salvation is by God’s will and pleasure for His glory. John 6:37-39, 44-45: “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day…No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.”

So, all of God’s “chosen” will be saved without exception; they will hear and respond because they have spiritual ears to hear the truth. God’s power makes this certain. Romans 8:28-30: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew (loved) he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

“Those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

How can we determine if we are part of the minority who are receptive to the message? By heeding the call. The assurance of this specific and chosen call comes from the Holy Spirit. Reflect on Philippians 1:6, where it is stated, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Philippians 2:12-13:) If we listen attentively with our spiritual ears and respond to the call, we will experience fear and trembling in our souls as we acknowledge that it was God’s doing in us that led to our salvation.