Biblical Reference:
The Parable of the Wedding Banquet is found in the Gospel of Matthew 22:1-14. This parable is one of the many teachings of Jesus Christ, illustrating the kingdom of heaven and the response of individuals to God's invitation.

Context and Setting:
This parable is delivered by Jesus during His final week in Jerusalem, shortly before His crucifixion. It is part of a series of parables that Jesus uses to address the religious leaders of Israel, particularly the Pharisees and Sadducees, who were questioning His authority and teachings.

Narrative Summary:
In the parable, Jesus describes a king who prepares a wedding banquet for his son. The king sends his servants to call those who were invited to the feast, but they refuse to come. The king sends more servants, explaining that the banquet is ready, but the invitees make light of the invitation, going off to their own affairs. Some even mistreat and kill the king's servants. In response, the king is enraged and sends his army to destroy the murderers and burn their city.

The king then instructs his servants to go into the streets and invite anyone they find to the banquet. The servants gather all they can find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall is filled with guests. However, when the king enters to see the guests, he notices a man not wearing wedding clothes. The king questions him, and the man is speechless. The king orders his servants to bind the man hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus concludes the parable with the statement, "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14).

Theological Themes:

1. Invitation to the Kingdom:
The parable highlights the universal invitation to the kingdom of heaven. Initially, the invitation is extended to the Jewish people, represented by the original invitees. Their rejection symbolizes the rejection of Jesus by the religious leaders and many in Israel.

2. Judgment and Consequences:
The king's response to the rejection and mistreatment of his servants signifies God's judgment on those who reject His message. The destruction of the city can be seen as a prophetic reference to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

3. Inclusivity of the Gospel:
The invitation extended to those in the streets represents the opening of the kingdom to the Gentiles and all who will accept the call. This reflects the Great Commission and the spread of the Gospel beyond the Jewish nation.

4. Requirement of Righteousness:
The man without wedding clothes symbolizes the necessity of being clothed in righteousness to enter the kingdom. This righteousness is not of one's own making but is provided through faith in Jesus Christ. The wedding garment can be seen as a metaphor for the righteousness of Christ imputed to believers.

5. Divine Election:
The concluding statement, "For many are called, but few are chosen," underscores the doctrine of divine election. While the Gospel call goes out to many, only those who respond in faith and are chosen by God will partake in the kingdom.

Practical Implications:
Believers are reminded of the importance of responding to God's invitation with humility and faith. The parable serves as a warning against complacency and presumption, urging individuals to examine their own standing before God. It also encourages the church to continue proclaiming the Gospel to all, trusting in God's sovereign work in salvation.