In the Gospel of Luke, the parable of the Great Feast, also known as the Parable of the Great Banquet, is found in Luke 14:15-24. This parable illustrates themes of invitation, rejection, and the inclusivity of God’s kingdom.
The story begins when Jesus is at a meal and a guest remarks, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” In response, Jesus tells a parable about a certain man who prepared a great banquet and invited many guests. When the time for the banquet came, the host sent his servant to tell those who had been invited that everything was ready.
However, one by one, the invited guests began to make excuses. One said he had bought a field and needed to inspect it; another claimed he had purchased five yoke of oxen and was on his way to try them out; and a third said he had just gotten married and couldn't come. Each excuse reflects priorities that keep the guests from accepting the invitation.
The servant returned and reported these rejections to his master. In response, the master became angry and commanded the servant to go out into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame. The servant did as instructed, but there was still room at the banquet. The master then told the servant to go out to the roads and country lanes and compel people to come in so that his house would be full.
The parable concludes with a solemn declaration: “I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.” This reinforces the idea that those who reject the invitation to God’s kingdom will miss out, while the marginalized and those outside the expected circle of privilege will be welcomed.
The Great Feast parable serves as a powerful reminder of God’s boundless grace and the invitation extended to all, urging listeners to respond to God’s call and urging them not to let worldly distractions prevent them from experiencing the fullness of life in His kingdom.