New Testament in a Year – Matthew 22

The Parable of the Wedding Banquet - Matthew 22:1-14

Understand It

• What preparations were being made in this parable? (22:2)
• What did the king send his servants to do? (22:3)
• How did people respond to the king’s invitation? (22:3)
• Upon hearing that no one would come to the wedding, what did the king do? (22:4)
• How did the invited guests react to the king’s second appeal? (22:5)
• To what shocking acts did some of the people who were invited resort? (22:6)
• How did the king deal with the lawbreakers? (22:7)
• The king went to a "Plan B" that included what changes? (22:8-9)
• How did the king’s alternative plan work out? (22:10)
• What did the king say when he spotted an improperly dressed wedding guest? (22:11)
• What did the king order his servants to do with the man who was improperly dressed? (22:11-13)
• Why did the king throw out the unwelcome wedding guest? (22:13-14)

Apply It

• What response should you give to God this week?
• To what individuals this week can you extend Jesus’ offer of forgiveness and eternal life?

Paying Taxes to Caesar - Matthew 22:15-22

Understand It

• What group sought to trap Jesus? How? (22:15)
• What two groups were sent to Jesus? Why? (22:16)
• How did the Pharisees address Jesus? (22:16)
• How did the Pharisees describe Jesus’ character? (22:16)
• How did the Pharisees describe Jesus’ manner of teaching? (22:16)
• After all the flattery, what question did the Pharisees’ disciples and the Herodians finally ask Jesus? (22:17)
• How did Jesus respond to all the false adulation He received in this incident? (22:18)
• What did Jesus say to the men who questioned Him? (22:18)
• What object did Jesus use to illustrate His answer? How? (22:19-20)
• How did Jesus answer the question without getting Himself in political hot water? (22:21)
• How did Jesus’ opponents respond to Jesus’ words? (22:22)

Apply It

• What neglected civic responsibilities do you need to begin fulfilling today?
• What might be the first step in better living up to your obligations as a citizen of God’s kingdom?

Marriage at the Resurrection - Matthew 22:23-33

Understand It

• What group confronted or opposed Jesus? How? (22:23)
• What distinctive belief did the Sadducees hold? (22:23)
• To what authority did the Sadducees appeal in asking their question? (22:24)
• To what kind of law did the Sadducees defer? (22:24)
• What rare, unlikely scenario did the Sadducees describe for Jesus? (22:25-27)
• What question did the Sadducees finally put to Jesus? (22:28)
• What two important facts did Jesus charge the Sadducees with not knowing? (22:29)
• What did Jesus say about the institution of marriage in eternity? (22:30)
• What did Jesus say about angels and marriage? (22:30)
• How did Jesus prove that people will be raised from the dead? (22:31-32)
• How did the crowd react to this exchange? (22:33)

Apply It

• What area of Bible doctrine will you read about and study this week?
• To whom do you need to apologize for arguing about your faith or for browbeating with the Bible?
• What needs to change in your life today to reflect the fact that you serve a living God?

The Greatest Commandment - Matthew 22:34-40

Understand It

• Who heard that the Sadducees had been embarrassed by Jesus? How did they respond? (22:34)
• What did the Pharisees do? Why? (22:34)
• What sort of person was selected to address Jesus? (22:35)
• What was the Pharisee’s purpose in asking Jesus a question? (22:35)
• What specific question did the man ask Jesus? (22:36)
• How did Jesus answer the Pharisee’s question? (22:37)
• What kind of love did Jesus describe? (22:37)
• What important footnote did Jesus add to His answer? (22:39)
• What kind of love for one’s neighbor did Jesus require? (22:39)
• How important did Jesus say these two principles were? (22:40)

Apply It

• What can you do today to love Christ with all your heart, soul, and mind?
• What loving act will you plan to do soon for a neighbor in need?

Whose Son Is the Christ? - Matthew 22:41-46

Understand It

• In what setting did this conversation take place? (22:41)
• What religious group had gathered? Why? (22:41)
• Who did the interrogation of Jesus? When? (22:41)
• What questions did Jesus ask? (22:42)
• What important fact did the Pharisees admit about Christ? (22:42)
• How did Jesus enlighten the Pharisees? (22:43-44)
• According to Jesus, under what special condition did David write? (22:43)
• What was important about the way David referred to Christ? (22:43-44)
• What final question did Jesus use to make His point? (22:45)
• What happened after Jesus silenced the Pharisees? (22:46)

Apply It

• What area(s) of your life do you need to surrender to the lordship of Christ today?
• What can you do (or stop doing) this week to become more effective in introducing your non-Christian friends to Christ?