But they paid no attention and went their separate ways, one to his own farm, another to his business,
Parallel translations
- WEB But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise,
- KJV But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
- BSB But they paid no attention and went away, one to his field, another to his business.
- NKJV But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business.
- NLT But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The invited guests ignore the invitation, preferring their own business. Indifference to God's grace is itself a grave rejection.
Overview
Rather than openly hostile, these guests simply treat the king's invitation as unimportant compared to farm and trade. Their casual neglect illustrates how worldly preoccupations can lead people to spurn God's Kingdom. The parable warns that mere indifference to the gospel, not only active opposition, leaves one outside the feast.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Heb 2:3how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation — which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard;
- Luke 14:18–20They all as one began to make excuses. “The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please have me excused.’
- 1 Jn 2:15–16Don’t love the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him.
- Matt 13:22What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
- 2 Tim 3:4traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;
- Gen 25:34Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils. He ate and drank, rose up, and went his way. So Esau despised his birthright.
- Ps 106:24–25Yes, they despised the pleasant land. They didn’t believe his word,
- Gen 19:14Lot went out, and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters, and said, “Get up! Get out of this place, for Yahweh will destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be joking.
- Luke 17:26–32As it was in the days of Noah, even so will it be also in the days of the Son of Man.
- Acts 2:13Others, mocking, said, “They are filled with new wine.”
- Prov 1:24–25Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;
- Rom 8:6For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace;
- Prov 1:7The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
- 1 Tim 6:9–10But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.
- Acts 24:25As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.”
- Matt 24:38–39For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship,
- Rom 2:4Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 22:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.