Matthew 22 · Verse 14

Matthew 22:14

For many are called, but few are chosen.
Matthew 22:14, King James Version

Matthew 22:14 in other translations

BSBFor many are called, but few are chosen.”
WEBFor many are called, but few chosen.”
ASVFor many are called, but few chosen.
YLTfor many are called, and few chosen.'
DARBYFor many are called ones, but few chosen ones.
BBEFor out of all to whom the good news has come, only a small number will get salvation.
WebsterFor many are called, but few are chosen.

What does Matthew 22:14 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
14. For many are called, but few are chosen--So Mt 19:30. See on Mt 20:16.

Mt 22:15-40. Entangling Questions about Tribute, the Resurrection, and the Great Commandment, with the Replies. ( = Mr 12:13-34; Lu 20:20-40).

For the exposition, see on Mr 12:13-34.

Mt 22:41-46. Christ Baffles the Pharisees by a Question about David and Messiah. ( = Mr 12:35-37; Lu 20:41-44).

For the exposition, see on Mr 12:35-37.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 14. Many are called, but few are chosen. Our Saviour often uses this expression. It was probably proverbial. The Jews had been called, but few of them had been chosen to life. The great mass of the nation were wicked; and showed by their lives that they were not chosen to salvation. The Gentiles also were invited to be saved, Isa 45:22. Nation after nation has been called; but few, few have yet showed that they were real Christians, the elect of God. It is also true, that many who are in the church may prove to be without the wedding garment, and show at last that they were not the chosen of God. This remark in the 14th verse is the in reference from the whole parable, and not of the part about the man without the wedding garment. It does not mean, therefore, that the great mass in the church are simply called and not chosen, or are hypocrites; but the great mass in the human family, in the time of Christ, who had been called, had rejected the mercy of God.

(w) "Many are called" Mt 7:14, 20:16, Lk 13:23,24

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 14 Many are called, etc. - This verse is wanting in one of Colbert's MSS., marked 33 in Griesbach. See the note on Mat 20:16. Many are called by the preaching of the Gospel into the outward communion of the Church of Christ; but few, comparatively, are chosen to dwell with God in glory, because they do not come to the master of the feast for a marriage garment - for that holiness without which none can see the Lord. This is an allusion to the Roman custom of raising their militia; all were mustered, but only those were chosen to serve, who were found proper. See the note on Mat 20:16. Reader! examine thy soul, and make sure work for eternity!

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 22:1-14

The provision made for perishing souls in the gospel, is represented by a royal feast made by a king, with eastern liberality, on the marriage of his son. Our merciful God has not only provided food, but a royal feast, for the perishing souls of his rebellious creatures. There is enough and to spare, of every thing that can add to our present comfort and everlasting happiness, in the salvation of his Son Jesus…

Read the full comment on Matthew 22:1-14 →

Matthew 22:14 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

πολλοὶpolloiManyG4183
γάρgarforG1063
εἰσινeisinareG1510
κλητοί,klētoicalled,G2822
ὀλίγοιoligoifewG3641
δὲdehoweverG1161
ἐκλεκτοί.¶eklektoichosen.G1588

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 22:14

  • 2 Peter 1:10

    Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

  • Luke 13:23-24

    Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

  • Revelation 17:14

    These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

  • Matthew 7:13-14

    Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

  • Matthew 20:16

    So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

  • Matthew 24:22

    And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
7:13,14; 20:16; Lu 13:23,24

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 22:13

    Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

  • Matthew 22:14

    For many are called, but few are chosen.

  • Matthew 22:15

    Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

Read all of Matthew 22

Matthew 22:14 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque muchos son llamados, y pocos escogidos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car il y a beaucoup d’appelés, mais peu d’élus.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn viele sind Berufene, wenige aber Auserwählte.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Multi enim sunt vocati, pauci vero electi.