22:4a–f

a
Again he sent other servants, saying, b‘Tell those who are invited, c“See, I have prepared my dinner, dmy oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, eand everything is ready. fCome to the wedding feast.”’

In 22:4 there are three levels of quotes. There is a quote within a quote within yet another quote. The three levels are:

The words of Jesus telling the parable that Matthew quoted. This long quote is from 22:2a–22:14. Most English versions use double quotes for this first level.

The words of the king that Jesus quoted. This second level quote is in 22:4b–f. Many English versions use single quotes for the second level.

The words that the king quoted. These were the exact words he wanted his servants to say to the people he had invited. This third level is in 22:4c–f Notice that the English Standard Version also uses double quotes for this third level. (The New International Version introduces this third level with a colon.)

In some languages, it may not be natural to have three levels of quotes. Here are some other ways to translate this verse:

• Use two levels of quotes. For example:

“Then the king sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited that my feast is ready. I have killed my best bulls and calves for the dinner, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.’ (New Century Version)
-or-
So he sent other servants with this message for the guests: ‘My feast is ready now; my bullocks and prize calves have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast!’ (GNB)

• Use only one level of quotes. For example:

Then he told other slaves to go and tell those whom he had invited that his banquet was ready. ⌊He told them to say⌋ that some of his slaves had killed his oxen and fat calves, and everything was ready. ⌊So now⌋ they should come to the wedding feast.

In the Display, the first Meaning Line has 3 levels of quotes. The second Meaning Line has 2 levels of quotes. The third Meaning Line has only one level.

22:4a

Again he sent other servants: This clause indicates that later, the king sent a second group of slaves to the people whom he had invited.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Then the king sent other servants (New Century Version)
-or-
So he sent other servants (Good News Translation)

saying: This word introduces what the king told his slaves to say to those who had been invited. It introduces the second level of quotes.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

saying to them (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
with the instructions

22:4b

Verse 22:4b begins a quote within a quote. This quote within a quote closes at the end of 22:4f. It is the words that the king spoke to his servants. See the Note on 22:4a–f above for more information on the levels of quotes in this verse and how to translate them.

‘Tell: The Greek verb that the English Standard Version translates as Tell is a command to the slaves about what they should say to the invited guests.

Here is another way to translate this word:

Say to

those who are invited: The Greek phrase that the English Standard Version translates as those who are invited is the same as at 22:3b. Translate it the same way here.

22:4c

Verse 22:4c begins a the third level of quotation: a quote within a quote within a quote. Notice that the English Standard Version indicates this third level with open double quotes. This third level of quotation closes at the end of 22:4f. This quote is the words that the king wants his servants to tell the people who were invited to the feast. See the Note on 22:4a–f above for more information on the levels of quotes in this verse and how to translate them.

“See: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as See is a command that brings attention to the words that follow. If you have an expression in your language that brings attention to what you are about to say, you should use it here. In some languages, this may be a particle that occurs in the middle or end of the clause.

Here are some other ways to translate this word in English:

Listen
-or-
Hey

Many English versions do not translate this word.

I have prepared my dinner: The form of the Greek verb that the English Standard Version translates as I have prepared indicates that all the preparations had already taken place. The description of those preparations follows in 22:4d.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

The feast I have prepared for you is ready. (NET Bible)
-or-
The feast has been prepared (New Living Translation (2004))

my dinner: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as dinner could mean either the first meal of the day (breakfast) or the noon meal (lunch). Because the wedding celebration went on for days, it is not very important which meal it means here. Many English versions use a general word. For example:

my banquet (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
my feast (NET Bible)

22:4d

my oxen: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as oxen refers to adult male cows. Sometimes it indicates an animal which has had its testicles removed. The pronoun my indicates that these animals belonged to the king.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

my bulls (God’s Word)
-or-
my steers (Good News Translation)

and my fat calves: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as fat calves is more literally translated “fattened ones.” The context indicates that it refers to cows that have been fed well in order to make them good to eat. It does not necessarily mean that they are young animals. The pronoun my is not repeated in the Greek text but may be added for clarity as in the English Standard Version.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

and fattened cattle (NET Bible)

have been slaughtered: The Greek verb that the English Standard Version translates as slaughtered means “killed in order to eat.”

This is a passive verb. Here are some ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

have been butchered (New International Version)

• Use an active verb. For example:

I have killed (New Century Version)

22:4e

and everything is ready: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as ready is similar to the verb “prepared” in 22:4c.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

everything is prepared (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

22:4f

Verse 22:4f continues the words that the slaves were supposed to say to the people whom the king had invited..

Come to the wedding feast: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as wedding feast is the same word as in 22:2b and 22:3b. It refers to a wedding celebration in general. It does not specifically refer to the food. See the Notes at 22:2b for more information.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Come to the wedding banquet. (New International Version)

-or-

Come to the banquet! (Contemporary English Version)

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