In this parable, a king arranged his son’s wedding and invited guests to attend (Mat 22:1-14). Because Jesus introduced the parable with the words, “The kingdom of heaven is like,” the invitation to the wedding is almost certainly symbolic of God’s invitation to enter the kingdom of God. In fact, when the kingdom is established on the earth at Christ’s coming, there will be a wedding feast. Jesus is the bridegroom and we, His people, are His bride. We read in Revelation 19:9, “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!”
In the parable, those who are initially invited and later called to the wedding represent Jews. The Jews, known as “the sons of the kingdom,” enjoyed a privileged position and it was to them first that the gospel of the kingdom came. Most of them, however, did not repent of their sins and believe in Jesus as their Messiah and King (cp. 21:32). In this parable, those who were initially invited not only refused to come, but killed those sent to call them to the wedding. Those sent may represent the prophets God sent to Israel, including John the Baptist. Because the Jews refused, the invitation to the kingdom went out to others, the Gentiles (Acts 13:46; Rom 11:11). As others in the parable were invited and filled the wedding hall, Gentiles in great number have responded positively to the gospel call.
The parable also may very well predict the judgment of God that came upon the city of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. In the parable, when the king heard that his servants had been murdered, he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city (see vs.7, cp. 21:41).
Jesus concluded the parable with what has become a well-known saying, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” Many are called to salvation, in fact, Acts 17:30 says, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” Ultimately however, it is only those God elected or chose to salvation who will repent and believe in Jesus (Acts 13:48; 2Thess 2:13-14).