After his opponents leave, Jesus addresses the crowd telling a parable comparing the realm of the skies to a man, a king.
Matthew 22:10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
Matthew 22:10 So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.
And going out the servants, those ones, into the roads, brought together all those they discovered, both worthless and well-born and it was filled up, that nuptial, of diners
The realm of the skies is like this king, preferring some, but taking anyone willing to celebrate.
The KJV doesn't really translate the last part of this verse as much as try to communicate its general meaning without translating it. The NIV ignores many of the words of this verse because, obviously, Jesus was just rambling on for no reason and no one today really cares.
Remember, this parable started making this king, not the wedding, an analogy for the realm of the skies. The story thus far has the king invite some to his son's wedding, those invited refusing, killing the messengers, getting killed in return, now inviting everyone, the "good" and "bad." The terms used for "good" and "bad" are closer in meaning the way Jesus uses these words to "valuable" and "worthless." So the wedding is filled with many people who didn't start off as valuable, but they are being rewarded just for coming to the celebration. But the story doesn't end there.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "so" should be something more like "and."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "servants" is not shown in the English translation.
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "as many as" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "furnished" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "guests" should be something more like "diners."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "so" should be something more like "and."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "those" after "servants" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "went" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "into" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "highway" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "in" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "that" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "could" doesn't exist in the source.
- WP -- Wrongly Placed -- The word "good" doesn't appear here but after the "bad."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "alike" should be something more like "both."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "guests" should be something more like "diners."
So - (WW) The word translated as "so" is the conjunction usually translated as "and."
those - The word translated as "those" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." This word appears after the word "servants."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
servants - The noun translated as "servants" means "slave." It is translated as "servant" to update the Bible.
went - The word translated as "went out" means literally "to go or come out," but it has a secondary meaning of "making something come true." It is not an active verb, but a verb in the form of an adjective, "going out."
out - -- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "out of."
into -- The word translated as "into" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
the - -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." . The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
highways, - The word translated as "highways" here is a word that was kind of untranslated in the previous verse (Matthew 22:9 ) where a different word was translated as "highways." The word means "the way" or "the road" but it is used symbolically to mean "a way of doing things" or "a philosophy of life." It is plural indicating more than one way.
and - -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
gathered - The Greek word translated as "gather together" means "to bring together." It has many different uses and has the sense of "to unite" a group of people.
together - -- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "together."
all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."
as many as - (OS) The word translated as "as many as" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this," "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun, especially a connective pronoun introducing a dependent clause. This is not the word that appeared in the KJV source.
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
found, - The term used for "they found" is the source of our word, "heuristic," meaning enabling a person to find out something for themselves. It means "find out" and "discover."
both - -- The word translated as "both" is a particle that Jesus rarely used, but which is common from the writers of the New Testament.
bad - The word translated as "evil" means "second-rate" or "worthless." This article explores its meaning in more detail. It is an adjective, but when used as a noun, therefore, "what is worthless."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
good: - The adjective translated as "good" means "useful," "worthwhile," and "of high quality. See this article on "good" and this one on "evil."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
the - -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." . The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
wedding - "Wedding is from a different Greek word than that one translated as "wedding" thus far in the story. The word used in the source we use today means "bridal chamber" meaning either the room in the wedding takes place or the room of the marriage bed. It is from the Greek word meaning "the bridegroom" and "bride." However, the Greek source of the KJV and different versions of the mGNT show the word for wedding used earlier in this parable.
was - -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
furnished - (CW) "Furnished" is from a Greek verb meaning to "fill," "fill full," "to be filled," and, in the passive, "to be full of," and "to be satisfied." The form here is passive.
with - This word "with" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession. However, it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
guests. - (WW) The word translated as "guests" but there isn't an English equivalent. It means "be laid up" as a votive offering in the temple, "to be dedicated," "lie at table" and "reclining." Since guests reclined at tables in Jesus's area, this describes people reclining at dining tables, so perhaps "diners" comes closest.
So - (WW) The word translated as "so" is the conjunction usually translated as "and."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." . The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
servants - The noun translated as "servants" means "slave." It is translated as "servant" to update the Bible.
missing "those" -- (MW) The untranslated word "those" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." This word appears after the word "servants."
missing "went" -- (MW) The untranslated word "went out" means literally "to go or come out," but it has a secondary meaning of "making something come true." It is not an active verb, but a verb in the form of an adjective, "going out."
missing "into" -- (MW) The untranslated word "into" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." . The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
missing "highway" -- (MW) The untranslated word "highways" here is a word that was kind of untranslated in the previous verse (Matthew 22:9 ) where a different word was translated as "highways." The word means "the way" or "the road" but it is used symbolically to mean "a way of doing things" or "a philosophy of life." It is plural indicating more than one way.
missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
brought - - The Greek word translated as "brought" means "to bring together." It has many different uses and has the sense of "to unite" a group of people.
in - -- (CW) This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "together."
everyone - -- The word translated as "everyone" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."
missing "that" -- (MW) The untranslated word "that" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this," "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun, especially a connective pronoun introducing a dependent clause. This is not the word that appeared in the KJV source.
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
could -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "could" in the Greek source.
find, - The term used for "find" is the source of our word, "heuristic," meaning enabling a person to find out something for themselves. It means "find out" and "discover."
good: - (WP) The adjective translated as "good" means "useful," "worthwhile," and "of high quality. See this article on "good" and this one on "evil." Jesus used a different order, bad and good.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
bad - The word translated as "evil" means "second-rate" or "worthless." This article explores its meaning in more detail. It is an adjective, but when used as a noun, therefore, "what is worthless."
alike- -- (WW) The word translated as "alike" is a particle that Jesus rarely used, but which is common from the writers of the New Testament. It means "both."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
the - -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." . The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
banquet - "Banquet" is from a different Greek word than that one translated as "wedding" thus far in the story, but . The word used in the source we use today means "bridal chamber" meaning either the room in the wedding takes place or the room of the marriage bed. It is from the Greek word meaning "the bride groom."
hall -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "hall" in the Greek source.
was - -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
filled - "Filled" is from a Greek verb meaning to "fill," "fill full," "to be filled," and, in the passive, "to be full of," and "to be satisfied." The form here is passive.
with - This word "with" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession. However, it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
guests. - (WW) The word translated as "guests" but there isn't an English equivalent. It means "be laid up" as a votive offering in the temple, "to be dedicated," "lie at table" and "reclining." Since guests reclined at tables in Jesus's area, this describes people reclining at dining tables, so perhaps "diners" comes closest.
καὶ [1098 verses](conj/adv) "So" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
ἐξελθόντες [54 verses](part pl aor act masc nom) "Went out" is exerchomai, which means "to come or go out of " "to march forth," "go out on," "to stand forth," "to exceed all bounds," "to come to an end," "to go out of office," and [of dreams or prophecies] "to come true." --
οἱ --(article pl masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
δοῦλοι [56 verses](noun pl masc nom) "Servants" is doulos, which means a "slave," a "born bondsman," or "one made a slave."
ἐκεῖνοι [107 verses](adj pl masc nom) "Those" is ekeinos, which means "the person there," "that person," "that thing," "in that case," "in that way," "at that place," and "in that manner."
εἰς (prep) "Into" is from eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "as much as (of measure or limit)," "as far as (of measure or limit)," "towards (to express relation)," "in regard to (to express relation)," "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)." -- The word translated as "unto" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
τὰς (article pl masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ὁδοὺς [27 verses](noun pl masc acc) "The highways" is hodos, which means literally "the way" or "the road" but which is used symbolically to mean "a way of doing things" or "a philosophy of life." It is interesting that a term joining a path with philosophy exists in many languages from the west to the east.
συνήγαγον [20 verses](verb 3rd pl aor ind act) "Gathered together" is synago, which means "bring together," "gather together," "pit [two warriors against each other]," "join in one," "unite," "make friends of," "lead with one," "receive," "reconcile," "draw together," "narrow," "contract," "conclude [from premises]," " infer," and "prove."
πάντας [212 verses](adj pl masc acc) "All" is pas, which means "all," "the whole," "every," "anyone," "all kinds," and "anything." In the adverbial form, it means "every way," "on every side," "in every way," and "altogether." -- The word translated as "all things" is one word meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."
οὓς (pron pl masc acc) "As many as" is hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
εὗρον, [43 verses](verb 3rd pl aor ind act) "They found" is heurisko, which means "to find," "to find out," "to discover," "to devise," "to invent," "to get," and "to gain."
πονηρούς [38 verses](adj pl masc acc) "Bad" is poneros, which means "burdened by toil," "useless," and "worthless." In a moral sense, it means "worthless," "base," and "cowardly."
τε [4 verses](partic) "Both" is from te, which means "both...and," when joining single words.
καὶ [1098 verses](conj/adv) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
ἀγαθούς: [23 verses](adj pl masc acc) "Good" is agathos which means "good" and, when applied to people, "well-born," "gentle," "brave," and "capable." When applied to things, it means "serviceable," "morally good," and "beneficial." -
καὶ [1098 verses](conj/adv) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
ἐπλήσθη [1 verse](verb 3rd sg aor ind pass) "Was furnished" is pimplemi, which means to "fill," "fill full," "satisfy," "glut," "discharge" an office, and, in the passive, "to be filled," "to be full of," "to satisfied," "have enough" of a thing, and of females, "become pregnant."
ὁ (article pl masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
νυμφὼν (noun sg masc nom) "Wedding" is from nymphon, which can either be the room of the marriage bed or marriage ceremony. Nymphios is "bridegroom."
ἀνακειμένων. [3 verses](part pl pres mp masc gen) "With guests" is anakeimai, which means to "be laid up" as a votive offering in the temple, "to be dedicated," "to be set up" as a statue in public, "to be put aside," "lie at table," and "recline."
The word translated as "ways" means "way of life" as much as the high ways.
There is the sense of different types of people being discovered and brought together.