many are called but few are chosen

The now commonly-used English idiom “many are called, but few are chosen” (for when a lot of people attempt to achieve or attain something, but only a few will actually be successful) was first coined in 1582 in the Douay Rheims Version. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 269)

For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.

The translation by Sarah Ruden (2021) translates: “There are a lot of invited guests, but not a lot of the chosen best.”

She comments on this (p. 134): “The traditional English ‘Many are called, but few are chosen’ ignores jingly wordplay. The Jews deliberately skip a wedding banquet — the epitome of enjoyment, here standing for the unending heavenly feast to follow the apocalypse — and insult and infuriate the host, God. The slaves stand for the prophets ignored or martyred throughout Jewish history. One of the substitute (that is, Gentile) guests does not know how to behave either, likely meaning that he offends against Jewish custom and ethics, important to the author of Matthew.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 22:14

Paragraph 22:14

The words in 22:14 are Jesus’ words to end the parable. They are not the words of the king. In order to make this clear, it may be necessary to say:

And Jesus concluded (Good News Translation)

22:14

For: Jesus used this Greek conjunction to introduce the conclusion to his parable and the reason why he told it.

Here is another way to translate this word:

Because

many: This word refers to a large group of people.

Here is another way to translate this word:

many people

are called: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as called also means “invited.” For example:

are invited (Contemporary English Version)

God is the one who calls. So, if necessary, you may use an active verb with God as the subject. For example:

⌊God⌋ calls/invites many people

A form of this word is also in 22:3b.

but few: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as few does not necessarily mean a small number. Instead it means some number less than “many.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

only some
-or-
fewer

are chosen: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as chosen means “selected.”

Here is another way to translate this word:

picked

God is the one who chooses. So, if necessary, you may use an active verb with God or he as the subject. For example:

but he only chooses some people

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complete verse (Matthew 22:14)

Following are a number of back-translations of Matthew 22:14:

  • Uma: “Yesus finished his parable like this: ‘Many people are called by God, but there are only a few whom he chooses/has-chosen to be his people/subjects.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “So-then Isa said, ‘Many people are called by God, told to follow him, but few are chosen.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And Jesus said again, ‘God called many people so that he will rule over them, but only a few are those he can choose.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Then Jesus concluded, saying, ‘Many can/will be invited, but few are those whom God chooses to be added to his ruling.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Jesus added on, saying, ‘Really many are called by God, but not many are chosen by him.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “For many people are called, but few people are chosen.'” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Matthew 22:14

“And Jesus concluded” of Good News Translation represents For of the Greek text, which indicates a transition from the parable to its application.

Many are called, but few are chosen is difficult, both exegetically and translationally. The statement may refer primarily to verses 1-10, or else to verses 11-13; it is also possible that it is comprehensive, including the teaching of both parables, which is probably the best solution. As one scholar notes, are called and are chosen may be synonymous in other contexts, but here they are set in contrast to one another. In the context of the parable this may be either a statement that only a few among the Jews are “chosen” (verses 1-10), or a warning to Christians not to take their calling lightly (verses 11-14). But in either case are called and are chosen describe God’s activity: “God invites many, though he chooses only a few.” Fortunately it is not the translator’s task to resolve the theological issues and questions, but rather to render faithfully the meaning of each specific passage. Notice that called is generally rendered in this verse as “invited.” If either of these words requires a complement, then translators may have to say “called (or, invited) to be a part of his Kingdom” or “invited to accept God’s kingship (or, accept God’s ruling over them).”

Despite the fact that it is God who also chooses, those who are chosen are those whose faithfulness endures to the end (see 24.22, 31). Translators may have to say “but only a few are faithful enough to be chosen” or “but it is only a few people who are faithful enough for God to choose them.” Again, if “choose” requires a complement it can be “chosen to enter his Kingdom” or “chosen to receive his rule,” or the sentence can even be “God invites many, but he chooses only those who accept his invitation.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .