The Call of Bezaleel and Aholiab

311 Now the Lord spoke to Moses , saying , 2 "See , I have called by name Bezalel , the son of Uri , the son of Hur , of the tribe of Judah . 3 "I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom , in understanding , in knowledge , and in all kinds of craftsmanship , 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold , in silver , and in bronze , 5 and in the cutting of stones for settings , and in the carving of wood , that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship . 6 "And behold , I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab , the son of Ahisamach , of the tribe of Dan ; and in the hearts of all who are skillful e I have put skill , that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting , and the ark of testimony , and the mercy seat upon it, and all the furniture of the tent , 8 the table also and its utensils , and the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils , and the altar of incense , 9 the altar of burnt offering also with all its utensils , and the laver and its stand , 10 the woven garments as well, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest , and the garments of his sons , with which to carry on their priesthood ; 11 the anointing oil also, and the fragrant incense for the holy place, they are to make them according to all that I have commanded you."

The Sabbath as a Sign

12 The Lord spoke to Moses , saying , 13 "But as for you, speak to the sons of Israel , saying , ' You shall surely observe My sabbaths ; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations , that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you. 14 'Therefore you are to observe the sabbath , for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death ; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people . 15 ' For six days work may be done , but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest , holy to the Lord ; whoever does any work on the sabbath day shall surely be put to death . 16 'So the sons of Israel shall observe the sabbath , to celebrate the sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant .' 17 " It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever ; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth , but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed ."

The Golden Calf

18 When He had finished speaking with him upon Mount Sinai , He gave Moses the two tablets of the testimony , tablets of stone , written by the finger of God .

321 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain , the people assembled about Aaron and said to him, "Come , make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses , the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt , we do not know what has become of him." 2 Aaron said to them, " Tear off the gold rings which are in the ears of your wives , your sons , and your daughters , and bring them to me." 3 Then all the people tore off the gold rings which were in their ears and brought them to Aaron . 4 He took this from their hand , and fashioned it with a graving tool and made it into a molten calf ; and they said , "This is your god , O Israel , who brought you up from the land of Egypt ." 5 Now when Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made a proclamation and said , "Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord ." 6 So the next day they rose early and offered burnt offerings , and brought peace offerings ; and the people sat down to eat and to drink , and rose up to play .

7 Then the Lord spoke to Moses , "Go down e at once , for your people , whom you brought up from the land of Egypt , have corrupted themselves. 8 "They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a molten calf , and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said , ' This is your god , O Israel , who brought you up from the land of Egypt !' " 9 The Lord said to Moses , "I have seen this people , and behold , they are an obstinate e people . 10 "Now then let Me alone , that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation ." 11 Then Moses entreated the Lord his God , and said , "O Lord , why does Your anger burn against Your people whom You have brought out from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand ? 12 "Why should the Egyptians speak , saying , 'With evil intent He brought them out to kill them in the mountains and to destroy them from the face of the earth '? Turn from Your burning anger and change Your mind about doing harm to Your people . 13 "Remember Abraham , Isaac , and Israel , Your servants to whom You swore by Yourself, and said to them, 'I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens , and all this land of which I have spoken I will give to your descendants , and they shall inherit it forever .' " 14 So the Lord changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people .

15 Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand , tablets which were written on both sides ; they were written on one side and the other . 16 The tablets were God's work , and the writing was God's writing engraved on the tablets . 17 Now when Joshua heard the sound of the people as they shouted , he said to Moses , "There is a sound of war in the camp ." 18 But he said , "It is not the sound of the cry of triumph , Nor is it the sound of the cry of defeat ; But the sound of singing I hear ." 19 It came about, as soon as Moses came near the camp , that he saw the calf and the dancing ; and Moses' anger burned , and he threw the tablets from his hands and shattered them at the foot of the mountain . 20 He took the calf which they had made and burned it with fire , and ground it to powder e , and scattered it over the surface of the water and made the sons of Israel drink it.

21 Then Moses said to Aaron , "What did this people do to you, that you have brought such great sin upon them?" 22 Aaron said , "Do not let the anger of my lord burn ; you know the people yourself , that they are prone to evil . 23 "For they said to me, 'Make a god for us who will go before us; for this Moses , the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt , we do not know what has become of him.' 24 "I said to them, 'Whoever has any gold , let them tear it off .' So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire , and out came this calf ." 25 Now when Moses saw that the people were out of control -for Aaron had let them get out of control to be a derision among their enemies - 26 then Moses stood in the gate of the camp , and said , "Whoever is for the Lord , come to me!" And all the sons of Levi gathered together to him. 27 He said to them, "Thus says the Lord , the God of Israel , 'Every man of you put his sword upon his thigh , and go e back and forth from gate to gate in the camp , and kill every man his brother , and every man his friend , and every man his neighbor .' " 28 So the sons of Levi did as Moses instructed , and about three thousand men of the people fell that day . 29 Then Moses said , "Dedicate yourselves today to the Lord -for every man has been against his son and against his brother -in order that He may bestow a blessing upon you today ."

30 On the next day Moses said to the people , " You yourselves have committed a great sin ; and now I am going up to the Lord , perhaps I can make atonement for your sin ." 31 Then Moses returned to the Lord , and said , "Alas , this people has committed a great sin , and they have made a god of gold for themselves. 32 "But now , if You will, forgive their sin -and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written !" 33 The Lord said to Moses , "Whoever e has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book . 34 "But go now , lead the people where e I told you. Behold , My angel shall go before you; nevertheless in the day when I punish , I will punish them for their sin ." 35 Then the Lord smote the people , because e of what they did with the calf which Aaron had made .

The LORD's Presence Promised

331 Then the Lord spoke to Moses , "Depart , go up from here , you and the people whom you have brought up from the land of Egypt , to the land of which I swore to Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , saying , ' To your descendants I will give it.' 2 "I will send an angel before you and I will drive out the Canaanite , the Amorite , the Hittite , the Perizzite , the Hivite and the Jebusite . 3 "Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey ; for I will not go up in your midst , because you are an obstinate e people , and I might destroy you on the way ." 4 When the people heard this sad word , they went into mourning , and none e of them put on his ornaments . 5 For the Lord had said to Moses , "Say to the sons of Israel , 'You are an obstinate e people ; should I go up in your midst for one moment , I would destroy you. Now therefore, put off your ornaments from you, that I may know what I shall do with you.' " 6 So the sons of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments , from Mount Horeb onward.

7 Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside e the camp , a good distance from the camp , and he called it the tent of meeting . And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting which was outside e the camp . 8 And it came about, whenever Moses went out to the tent , that all the people would arise and stand , each at the entrance of his tent , and gaze after Moses until he entered the tent . 9 Whenever Moses entered the tent , the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent ; and the Lord would speak with Moses . 10 When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent , all the people would arise and worship , each at the entrance of his tent . 11 Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face , just as a man speaks to his friend . When Moses returned to the camp , his servant Joshua , the son of Nun , a young man , would not depart from the tent .

12 Then Moses said to the Lord , "See , You say to me, ' Bring up this people !' But You Yourself have not let me know whom You will send with me. Moreover, You have said , 'I have known you by name , and you have also found favor in My sight .' 13 "Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight , let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight . Consider too, that this nation is Your people ." 14 And He said , " My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest ." 15 Then he said to Him, " If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here . 16 "For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight , I and Your people ? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people , may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth ?" 17 The Lord said to Moses , "I will also do this thing of which you have spoken ; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name ." 18 Then Moses said , "I pray You, show me Your glory !" 19 And He said , " I Myself will make all My goodness pass before e you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious , and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion ." 20 But He said , "You cannot e see My face , for no man can see Me and live !" 21 Then the Lord said , "Behold , there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock ; 22 and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23 "Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back , but My face shall not be seen ."

The Parable of the Marriage Feast

221 Jesus spoke to them again in parables , saying , 2 " The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king e who gave a wedding feast for his son . 3 "And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast , and they were unwilling e to come . 4 "Again he sent out other slaves saying , 'Tell those who have been invited , "Behold , I have prepared my dinner ; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready ; come to the wedding feast ."' 5 "But they paid no attention and went their way , one to his own farm , another e to his business , 6 and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them. 7 "But the king was enraged , and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire . 8 "Then he said to his slaves , 'The wedding is ready , but those who were invited were not worthy . 9 'Go therefore to the main highways , and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast .' 10 "Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found , both evil and good ; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests . 11 "But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests , he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes , 12 and he said to him, ' Friend , how did you come in here without e wedding clothes ?' And the man was speechless . 13 "Then the king said to the servants , 'Bind him hand and foot , and throw him into the outer darkness ; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth .' 14 "For many are called , but few are chosen ."

Paying Taxes to Caesar

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said . 16 And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians , saying , "Teacher , we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth , and defer to no one ; for You are not partial e to any . 17 "Tell us then , what do You think ? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar , or not?" 18 But Jesus perceived their malice , and said , "Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites ? 19 "Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax ." And they brought Him a denarius . 20 And He said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this ?" 21 They said to Him, "Caesar's ." Then He said to them, " Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's ; and to God the things that are God's ." 22 And hearing this, they were amazed , and leaving Him, they went away .

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

Commentary on Matthew 22:1-14

(Read 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 Christ. The guests first invited were the Jews. When the prophets of the Old Testament prevailed not, nor John the Baptist, nor Christ himself, who told them the kingdom of God was at hand, the apostles and ministers of the gospel were sent, after Christ's resurrection, to tell them it was come, and to persuade them to accept the offer. The reason why sinners come not to Christ and salvation by him, is, not because they cannot, but because they will not. Making light of Christ, and of the great salvation wrought out by him, is the damning sin of the world. They were careless. Multitudes perish for ever through mere carelessness, who show no direct aversion, but are careless as to their souls. Also the business and profit of worldly employments hinder many in closing with the Saviour. Both farmers and merchants must be diligent; but whatever we have of the world in our hands, our care must be to keep it out of our hearts, lest it come between us and Christ. The utter ruin coming upon the Jewish church and nation, is here represented. Persecution of Christ's faithful ministers fills up the measure of guilt of any people. The offer of Christ and salvation to the Gentiles was not expected; it was such a surprise as it would be to wayfaring men, to be invited to a royal wedding-feast. The design of the gospel is to gather souls to Christ; all the children of God scattered abroad, John 10:16; 11:52. The case of hypocrites is represented by the guest that had not on a wedding-garment. It concerns all to prepare for the scrutiny; and those, and those only, who put on the Lord Jesus, who have a Christian temper of mind, who live by faith in Christ, and to whom he is all in all, have the wedding-garment. The imputed righteousness of Christ, and the sanctification of the Spirit, are both alike necessary. No man has the wedding-garment by nature, or can form it for himself. The day is coming, when hypocrites will be called to account for all their presumptuous intruding into gospel ordinances, and usurpation of gospel privileges. Take him away. Those that walk unworthy of Christianity, forfeit all the happiness they presumptuously claimed. Our Saviour here passes out of the parable into that which it teaches. Hypocrites go by the light of the gospel itself down to utter darkness. Many are called to the wedding-feast, that is, to salvation, but few have the wedding-garment, the righteousness of Christ, the sanctification of the Spirit. Then let us examine ourselves whether we are in the faith, and seek to be approved by the King.

Commentary on Matthew 22:15-22

(Read Matthew 22:15-22)

The Pharisees sent their disciples with the Herodians, a party among the Jews, who were for full subjection to the Roman emperor. Though opposed to each other, they joined against Christ. What they said of Christ was right; whether they knew it or not, blessed be God we know it. Jesus Christ was a faithful Teacher, and a bold reprover. Christ saw their wickedness. Whatever mask the hypocrite puts on, our Lord Jesus sees through it. Christ did not interpose as a judge in matters of this nature, for his kingdom is not of this world, but he enjoins peaceable subjection to the powers that be. His adversaries were reproved, and his disciples were taught that the Christian religion is no enemy to civil government. Christ is, and will be, the wonder, not only of his friends, but of his enemies. They admire his wisdom, but will not be guided by it; his power, but will not submit to it.