Bible Questions and Answers

What is the meaning of the parable of the Great Banquet?

Luke 14:16 (NIV) Jesus replied: A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, Come, for everything is now ready. 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me. 19 Another said, I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me. 20 Still another said, I have just got married, so I can’t come. 21 The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. 22 Sir, the servant said, what you ordered has been done, but there is still room. 23 Then the master told his servant, Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.

The parable is about the preaching of the Gospel. The invitation is to the kingdom of God. Jesus preached the Gospel to the Jews. Matthew 15:24. They, for the most part, rejected him (as they still do to this day). Nonetheless many of the poor believed, along with those healed by Jesus and his apostles.

Those in ‘the roads and country lanes’ represent the Gentiles. Following the Jews’ rejection of the Gospel, it was preached to the Gentiles.Paul was appointed as ‘the apostle to the Gentiles’ as Jesus told Ananias: Acts 9:15; Acts 13:46. 

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn