The concept of the marriage-feast holds significant theological and cultural importance within the biblical narrative. In ancient Jewish tradition, a marriage-feast was a grand celebration marking the union of a bride and groom, often lasting several days. This event was not only a social gathering but also a covenantal occasion, symbolizing the joining of two families and the establishment of a new household.

Old Testament Context

While the Old Testament does not provide extensive details on marriage-feasts, it does offer glimpses into their significance. In Genesis 29:22, Laban gathers all the people of the place and makes a feast to celebrate the marriage of Jacob and Leah. This indicates that marriage-feasts were communal events, involving family and friends in the joyous occasion.

New Testament Context

The New Testament provides a richer theological framework for understanding marriage-feasts, particularly through the teachings of Jesus. In the Gospel of John, the first miracle performed by Jesus occurs at a wedding feast in Cana (John 2:1-11). Here, Jesus turns water into wine, symbolizing the abundance and joy associated with the coming of the Messiah. This miracle underscores the significance of marriage-feasts as occasions of divine blessing and celebration.

In the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus frequently uses the imagery of a marriage-feast to illustrate the Kingdom of Heaven. In Matthew 22:1-14, Jesus tells the Parable of the Wedding Banquet, where a king invites guests to his son's wedding feast. When the invited guests refuse to come, the king extends the invitation to others, symbolizing the inclusive nature of God's Kingdom. The parable emphasizes themes of invitation, readiness, and the consequences of rejecting God's call.

Eschatological Significance

The marriage-feast motif reaches its eschatological climax in the Book of Revelation. Revelation 19:7-9 speaks of the "marriage supper of the Lamb," where the Church, as the Bride of Christ, is united with Jesus, the Bridegroom. This imagery reflects the consummation of God's redemptive plan and the eternal union between Christ and His Church. The passage states, "Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready" (Revelation 19:7).

Theological Implications

The marriage-feast serves as a powerful metaphor for the relationship between God and His people. It illustrates the covenantal nature of this relationship, characterized by love, commitment, and celebration. The imagery of a marriage-feast also highlights the communal aspect of salvation, where believers are invited to partake in the joy and fellowship of God's Kingdom.

In summary, the marriage-feast in biblical literature is a rich symbol of divine-human relationship, covenant, and eschatological hope. It underscores the themes of invitation, readiness, and the ultimate celebration of God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ.

At the Marriage Feast
... The DESIRE of AGES Chapter 15 At the Marriage Feast. [This chapter is based on John
2:1-11.] ... At the marriage feast she meets Him, the same tender, dutiful son. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 15 at the marriage.htm

The Royal Marriage Feast.
... XII. THE ROYAL MARRIAGE FEAST. PART I.--- THE WEDDING GUESTS. "And Jesus
answered, and spake unto them again by parables, and said ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xii the royal marriage feast.htm

Parable of the Marriage Feast of the King's Son. (Matt. , xxii. ...
... CHAPTER I. FROM THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY TO THE LAST SUPPER. Section 255. Parable
of the Marriage Feast of the King's Son. (Matt., xxii., 1-14.). ...
/.../section 255 parable of the.htm

The Marriage Feast in Cana of Galilee - the Miracle that is a Sign ...
... MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION. CHAPTER IV. THE MARRIAGE FEAST IN CANA OF GALILEE -
THE MIRACLE THAT IS A SIGN.'. (John 2:1-12.) At the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the marriage feast.htm

Whether Christ Began to Work Miracles when He Changed Water into ...
... OF THE MIRACLES WORKED BY CHRIST, IN GENERAL (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether Christ began
to work miracles when He changed water into wine at the marriage feast? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ began to work.htm

The Marriage of the King's Son.
... And Jesus answered and spake again in parables unto them, saying, "The kingdom of
heaven is likened unto a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his son ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the marriage of the kings.htm

Two Ways of Despising God's Feast
... So this parable dismisses all ideas of work, duty, service, requirement, and instead
gives the emblem of a marriage feast as the picture of the kingdom. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/two ways of despising gods.htm

The Marriage of Cana
... disciples believed on him.". The miracle here spoken of, is that of our Lord's
turning water into wine at a marriage feast. I design, at ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the marriage of cana.htm

In Reply to the Questions as to his Authority, Jesus Gives the ...
... a 1 And Jesus answered and spake again in parables unto them, saying, 2 The kingdom
of heaven is likened unto a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cviii in reply to the 4.htm

Practical Observations.
... asceticism. He not only attended the joyous festivities of the marriage
feast, but he even contributed to the means of enjoyment. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/practical observations 3.htm

Marriage-feast (4 Occurrences)
Marriage-feast. Marriage, Marriage-feast. Marriagefeasts .
Multi-Version Concordance Marriage-feast (4 Occurrences). ...
/m/marriage-feast.htm - 7k

Banquet (58 Occurrences)
... 23:6) that the Pharisees "love the chief place ("uppermost rooms" the King James
Version) at feasts." In Matthew 22:3, 4 "made a marriagefeast," is rendered ...
/b/banquet.htm - 36k

Invited (49 Occurrences)
... Invited (49 Occurrences). Matthew 22:3 and sent out his servants to call those
who were invited to the marriagefeast, but they would not come. ...
/i/invited.htm - 21k

Feast (209 Occurrences)
... Matthew 22:2 "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who made a
marriagefeast for his son, (WEB ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV). ...
/f/feast.htm - 47k

Marriagefeasts
... (Comp. Psalm 119:83.) To some such marriage-feast Jesus and his five disciples were
invited at Cana of Galilee." Geikie's Life of Christ. (see CANA.). ...
/m/marriagefeasts.htm - 8k

Reclining (25 Occurrences)
... Matthew 22:10 And those servants, having gone forth to the ways, did gather all,
as many as they found, both bad and good, and the marriage-feast apartment was ...
/r/reclining.htm - 14k

Ready (451 Occurrences)
... My cattle and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the marriage
feast!"' (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/r/ready.htm - 36k

Clothes (208 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Matthew 22:11 And the king having come in to view those reclining, saw there
a man not clothed with clothing of the marriage-feast, (See NAS NIV). ...
/c/clothes.htm - 37k

Slaves (119 Occurrences)
... Matthew 22:3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage
feast, but they would not come. ... Come to the marriagefeast!"' (See NAS). ...
/s/slaves.htm - 34k

Servants (763 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE WBS YLT RSV NIV). Matthew 22:3 and sent out his servants to
call those who were invited to the marriagefeast, but they would not come. ...
/s/servants.htm - 43k

What were common marriage customs in Bible times? | GotQuestions.org

What is the marriage supper of the Lamb? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Wedding Feast? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus