After the parable comparing the realm of the skies to a man, a king, who gave a wedding feast.
Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few [are] chosen.
Matthew 22:14 For many are invited, but few are chosen.
Many, for this reason, are invited. Few, however, picked out.
The word translated as “for” primarily means “because,” and Jesus frequently uses it at the beginning of a verse when answering questions. It also begins lines when Jesus seems to change the subject, which indicates that someone asked an unrecorded question. Because of this, it is often left out of English translations.
The “many” those “invited” at the end, which is broadened to include everyone. We have adopted the Greek phrase, hoi polloi, into English to mean the common people, but in Greek, it literally means “the many.” Here, polloi appears with out the definite article meaning “the.” The sense is more “a great many” since this word also means “great.”
Confusing the English translation is the Greek adjective translated as "invited." It means “invited” and “welcomed,” but it also means “chosen.” So, Jesus is also saying that many are “chosen.” This instantly confuses the English translation. Let us see if we can straighten it out and get why Jesus selected these words. This word is only used by Jesus once, in this verse.
The “few” who were “chosen” seems to be the select guests who were originally invited and didn’t come. However, it could also be the guest thrown out for not wearing a wedding gown. However, neither of these group comes off well in the story, which is a problem for the translators. This root word is the word sometime translated as “the elect” in the Bible and it is used to refer to that special group of people who are saved. The translators want these to be the “special people” but those people at the ones condemned by the story.
The other adjective translated as “chosen” is usually translated as “picked out,” and “selected,” words meaning something very close to “chosen.” This is because it root of is the Greek word translated as “invited” that means “chosen.” The difference is that this word has the prefix “out of” so the sense is “chosen out of” rather than just the simple “chosen.” How can we straighten this out?
This “chosen” word also means “pure.” This from it meaning as “selected” or “separated out.” The Judean idea was things use in common are not pure. Thing that are holy are separate from common, everyday things. Another big clue is how Jesus uses this word everywhere else. It isn’t a common word, but it is used by Jesus eight times. In all those places it is translated as “the elect,” which is the Greek word, eklektos adopted into English. In all those places, “pure” would work as well.
Like so many of Jesus's "punchlines," it is a play on words that is hidden in translation. The Greek word translated as "called" is only used twice by Jesus. Here, it is a play on the sound of the Greek word translated as "chosen" since both sound alike.
Like so many of Jesus's "punchlines," it is a play on words that is hidden in translation. The Greek word translated as "called" is only used twice by Jesus. Here, it is a play on the sound of the Greek word translated as "chosen" since both sound alike.
Everyone is invited, even if they aren't pure.
For many are called(CW), but few [are] chosen.
CW - Confusing Word -- The "called" is not the common word usually translated as "called."
For many are invited, but few are chosen.
none
For - The word translated as "for" can be treated as supporting a dependent clause, or, in written English, as "this is because..." to start a new sentence.
many - The word translated as "many" means many in number, great in power or worth, and large in size.
are -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to."
called, - (CW) The Greek word translated as "called" means "invited," "welcome," "called out," "chosen," and "summoned to court." It is NOT the word usually translated as "called" in the NT, which is more like our word "called."
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
few - "Few" is translated from a Greek word that means "little," "small," "slight," "few," and "weak." It is the base for our word "oligarchy" meaning "rule of the few."
are ---- There is no verb "are" in the Greek source. It is implied by the equating of "workman" with "worthy" both in the Greek form of subjects.
chosen. - "Chosen" is translated from a Greek word that means "picked out," "select," "choice," and "pure." The "chosen" are not those specially selected for the feast. They are the few guests that are truly "pure," that is, that are without fault.
For - The word translated as "for" can be treated as supporting a dependent clause, or, in written English, as "this is because..." to start a new sentence.
many - The word translated as "many" means many in number, great in power or worth, and large in size.
are -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to."
invited, - The Greek word translated as "invited" means "invited," "welcome," "called out," "chosen," and "summoned to court." It is NOT the word usually translated as "called" in the NT, which is more like our word "called."
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
few - "Few" is translated from a Greek word that means "little," "small," "slight," "few," and "weak." It is the base for our word "oligarchy" meaning "rule of the few."
are ---- There is no verb "are" in the Greek source. It is implied by the equating of "workman" with "worthy" both in the Greek form of subjects.
chosen. - "Chosen" is translated from a Greek word that means "picked out," "select," "choice," and "pure." The "chosen" are not those specially selected for the feast. They are the few guests that are truly "pure," that is, that are without fault.
πολλοὶ [61 verses](adj pl masc nom) "Many" is from polys, which means "many (in number)," "great (in size or power or worth)," and "large (of space)." As an adverb, it means "far," "very much," "a great way," and "long."
γάρ [205 verses](conj) "For" comes from gar which is the introduction of a clause explaining a reason or explanation: "for," "since," and "as." In an abrupt question it means "why" and "what."
εἰσιν [614 verses](verb 3rd pl pres ind act) "Is" is from eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," and "is possible."
κλητοὶ [3 verses](adj pl masc nom) "Called" is kletos, which means "invited," "welcome," "called out," "chosen," and "summoned to court."
ὀλίγοι [19 verses](adj pl masc nom) "Few" is oligos, which means "little," "small," "slight," "few," and "weak." As an adverb it means "a little," "slightly," and "little."
δὲ (conj) "But" is from de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of cause ("so").
ἐκλεκτοί. [8 verses](adj pl masc nom) "Chosen" is eklektos, which means "picked out," "select," "choice," and "pure." The adjective is from is eklektoo, the verb form meaning "to be separated," or "to be purified."