The first thing we have to do is note the context and setting in which Jesus is going to give this parable. In the beginning of chapter 14 we see Jesus in the house of a Pharisee where he heals on the sabbath. We are told in verse 1 that "they watched him." It is in this context that he starts to speak to them. He deals with the principles regarding the sabbath and doing works of mercy. When they could not answer his question in verses 3 and 5 regarding works of mercy on the sabbath he then puts forth a parable in verses 8-11.

This parable is in response to "those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms;..." It is a parable that deals with humility and not seeking to exalt oneself something the Pharisees were were good at doing. Then in verses 12-14 he speaks directly to the head of this home who invited him bidding him to invite those who cannot pay him back. The words of verse 13 "the poor, the maimed, and the lame, and the blind" are significant because they are repeated in verse 21 as we will see. This is a picture of grace which is giving someone something that they do not deserve and are incapable of paying back in any way. That is the way Jesus first uses this descriptive language in verse 13.

Now keeping that in mind lets look at the text in question verse 16. "Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:"

We have to ask the question "who are the many that were bidden?" The word bidden is the word commonly interpreted as "called". Of its 146 times it is used in the New Testament it is translated "call" 125 times.

So we have here a group called "many" that were called to this supper. This supper is the outward gospel call of salvation in Christ and these in the parable were so called. It is significant that in this parable this word "bidden" is only used here in this verse. Some are saying that this is a clear cut universal call to all men showing that God desires that all come to the supper else why invite all men? These "many", in this context, are the only ones bidden to come. Who are they? Lets observe a few things.

1) All those that were bidden to come refused. We see not one of them answering this call.

2) None of these that were called will taste of the supper- verse 24.

If this is a universal call then no one will eat of the supper because according to Jesus nonel that the call was given to will will be partakers in the supper.

So who are these "many"? I declare that the many in this context is those representative of the Pharisees who are mentioned in verse 1 "THEY watched him". We see repeatedly in the gospels that the Pharisees were constantly at odds with Jesus and were continually looking for ways to catch him. The Scripture "he came unto his own and his own received him not" John 1:11.

Now after they refused the call, another group is brought in. Who are these? Notice that it is "the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind." This is the same description that was given in verse 13 as mentioned earlier. In verse 13 it is obvious that the implication is to invite those that cannot pay you back. If we take the same meaning here it has some interesting implications.

But notice something else. None of these are "bidden" to come. They are to be BROUGHT IN. This is important as will be shown subsequently. Also notice where they are to be taken from "into the streets and lanes of the city". Look at the contrast of this to the other group brought in in verse 23. After those of verse 21 are brought in there is still room so they are to compel others in. Who are they?

Note the 23rd verse "And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel [them] to come in, that my house may be filled."

We have here two things. First, the group brought in is the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind (this is implied in the verse), from "the highways and hedges." Who are these as oppose to those in verse 21. I believe that verse 21 is the elect among the Jews and in verse 23 the elect among the Gentiles those outside the city.

For those that think this is feeding in something into the text lets just look at what we have here.

First, the call that goes to a group who WILL NOT respond. Although this is first applied to the Pharisees it can be applied to all of those that only the outward call of the gospel goes to. None will respond.

Secondly, those that are brought in are just that -BROUGHT IN not invited in! Or as verse 23 says compelled to come in. This is the effectual call of the gospel that always brings in those to whom it goes.

Thirdly, notice that it is servant singular, verse 21, that brings in these poor, maimed etc... We have here a description of the Holy Spirit in this work of effectual calling. Some have tried to show that the compelling to come in tantamount to pleading and begging some to come in. Some in history have even used this to bring some in by force as did Augustine. The reason for this is the use of the same word where Paul said he "compelled them to blaspheme" Acts 26:11. But when we see that the one bidden to do the compelling is the Holy Spirit it paints an entirely different picture.

What is this parable teaching? It is showing primarily 2 things.

Firstly, it is showing the condition of man in his natural state:

1) Poor- devoid of all spiritual worth

2) Maimed-this means disabled in a limb. Man is by nature unable to reach out to God.

3) Halt- this word means crippled. Man is incapable of moving towards God.

4) Blind- man is totally incapable of seeing the things of the Spirit of God.

That is the condition of man in sin so he must be brought in.