Matthew 22:9
Tuesday, 18 August 2026
Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’ Matthew 22:9
“You go, therefore, upon the ‘through-departures, the roads’, and as many, if you should find, you call to the nuptials.” (CG)
The previous verse noted that the king said to his servants that the nuptial was ready, but that those who had been invited weren’t worthy. Because of this, Jesus continues, saying, “You go, therefore, upon the ‘through-departures, the roads’.”
This is a word found only here in Scripture, diexodos. It is derived from dia, through, and exodos, a departure (sometimes figuratively, as in death). The word signifies a way out through, such as an outlet. One could think of a modern indoor shopping mall where one goes through it to come to a way out. Thus, you traverse a distance in order to exit.
In the case of what is being conveyed, the focus has been transferred away from Jerusalem and, indeed, all of Israel. The city has been burned (verse 7), those who had been called were not worthy (verse 8), and so the gospel is now going into foreign lands. Where there are gatherings of people, be it on a country road, a small town, or a bustling city, one must go through in order to continue on, as if the whole world is a giant shopping mall of human souls.
Following the travels of Paul and those with him in the book of Acts will show this process. As he arrived in a city, he would begin the process, usually starting at the synagogue. They would normally quickly harass him, be found unworthy, and then he would press on with the saving message of the gospel to the Gentiles he encountered –
“Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, ‘It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us:
“I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.”’
48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.” Acts 13:46-48
This process of going to the through-departures has continued on for over two thousand years as people walk, bike, take cars, trains, ships, and airplanes in order to go from one place to the next. Airports are like their own through-departures as a person gets off one plane coming in from Sarasota, Florida, through-departures in Atlanta, through-departures again in Detroit to Japan, and through-departures again to Iligan City in the Philippines.
As people traverse these airports, if they are industrious, they will blanket the airport with tracts about Jesus (be sure to give one to the lady at the coffee stand!). And why is this done? Because it is the commission of sharing the gospel, reflected in Jesus’ next words, “and as many, if you should find, you call to the nuptials.”
The word has gone out. There is a Redeemer, and He has come to bring people from all languages, cultures, races, and locations to Himself through the sharing of the good news.
Life application: Why is it so important that you share the gospel? The reason is that if you don’t, the people you come in contact with may never hear the saving message of Jesus. John 3:18 tells us that all people are “condemned already.” We don’t need to do a thing to wind up in the Lake of Fire. That is our default position. If not you, then who?
And more, it should be taken as an axiom that Satan is doing his best to frustrate the going forth of the true gospel. One way that happens is by sending out his minions with false gospels. And they are diligent to get their word out. The annoying Jehovah’s Witnesses who come to your door are doing Satan’s bidding, stealing away souls from coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus.
The Mormons... they have a worldwide organization set up to share the wrong news, plant false churches, and lead people down the path to perdition. They are effective in getting their false gospel out, and they are motivated to do so. Most cults are. When you have to perform in order to participate, you are normally highly motivated to act.
Instead, Jesus trusts that those who have been deeply touched by the grace of the gospel will be willing to open their mouths and speak. Be a part of what is presented by Jesus in Matthew 22:0. He gave this parable as a revelation of what would be happening in the world after Israel turned their collective back on their Messiah. Now, it is our job to let the world see the glory of the Christ of the nations. If not you, then who?
Lord God, may we diligently go forth to the through-departures of the world, spreading the good news of Jesus Christ as we do. Be it a shopping mall, an airport, or a large city, whatever we are passing through, help us to remember to be about sharing this wonderful release from sin, which leads to restoration with You. Amen.
