The second invitation to the wedding banquet (Mt 22:4 -22:4)

“Again,

He sent other slaves.

Saying.

‘Tell those

Who have been invited.

‘Look!

I have prepared

My dinner.

My oxen

And my fat calves

Have been slaughtered.

Everything is ready.

Come to the wedding banquet!’”

 

πάλιν ἀπέστειλεν ἄλλους δούλους λέγων Εἴπατε τοῖς κεκλημένοις Ἰδοὺ τὸ ἄριστόν μου ἡτοίμακα, οἱ ταῦροί μου καὶ τὰ σιτιστὰ τεθυμένα, καὶ πάντα ἕτοιμα· δεῦτε εἰς τοὺς γάμους.

 

This is unique to Matthew when compared to the Luke equivalent.  Jesus said that this king has made all the preparations for this great wedding feast.  For a second time, this king sent other slaves (πάλιν ἀπέστειλεν ἄλλους δούλους) to these invited guests.  He told his slaves to tell these guests (λέγων Εἴπατε τοῖς κεκλημένοις) that he had already prepared his dinner for them (Ἰδοὺ τὸ ἄριστόν μου ἡτοίμακα).  He had slaughtered his oxen and fat calves (οἱ ταῦροί μου καὶ τὰ σιτιστὰ τεθυμένα).  Everything was ready (πάντα ἕτοιμα).  All they had to do was show up at this banquet (δεῦτε εἰς τοὺς γάμους).  This sounds like a reasonable request.