Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few [are] chosen.

Alternative Version: For many are invited, but few [are] pure.

This verse comes the end of the parable of the king's son's wedding. It appears right after the guest without a wedding suit is thrown out. It is the second time this line is used. Its first is in Mat. 20:16, which we discuss here.

The usual translation reinforces the idea that the wedding feast is somehow restricted, or, for those who interpret the feast as the afterlife, that few will be chosen to go into heaven. This is confusing, however, because everyone is invited to the wedding feast in the parable. The only one "chosen" is the one man who is ejected. Everyone else gets to stay, so how can they be the "few?"

In the Greek, the meaning is much plainer. The point is that few are truly worthy of the feast, even though everyone is invited to it. 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.

There is also another hidden play on words here. Another Greek word, ekklêtos, is a version of the word used for "called" (klêtos) which is very similar to the word used for "chosen" (eklektos), but it means "selected to judge," "to judge a point," and "to arbitrate a point." So the "few" are not only "pure," but those who can judge others.

"Many " is from polus. In number, this means "many." In size, degree, and intensity, it means "much" and "mighty." Of value or worth, it means "of great worth" and "of great consequence." Of space, it means "large" and "wide." Of time, it means "long."

"Called" is from klêtos, which means "invited," "welcome," "called out," "chosen," and "summoned to court."

"Many " is from polus. In number, this means "many." In size, degree, and intensity, it means "much" and "mighty." Of value or worth, it means "of great worth" and "of great consequence." Of space, it means "large" and "wide." Of time, it means "long."

"Chosen" is from eklektos, which means "picked out," "select," "choice," and "pure."