The Marriage Feast — Hidden Meanings in The Parables of Jesus (PaRDeS)

4 min readJul 12, 2024

PaRDeS Exegesis of the Parable of the Wedding Feast

The PaRDeS method of exegesis, rooted in Kabbalistic traditions and developed by Rabbi Moses de Leon, provides a structured approach to interpreting sacred texts through four interpretative levels: Peshat (literal meaning), Remez (allegorical meaning), Derash (symbolic meaning), and Sod (secret or mystical meaning). Applying this method to the Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1–14) reveals its layered meanings.

Peshat (Literal Meaning)

The Peshat level focuses on the straightforward, literal interpretation of the text.

Literal Interpretation: Jesus tells a parable comparing the kingdom of heaven to a king who gives a wedding feast for his son. The king sends out his servants to invite the guests, but they refuse to come. He sends more servants to tell them that the feast is ready, but the guests ignore the invitation, going to their farms and businesses, and some even mistreat and kill the servants. The enraged king sends his army to destroy the murderers and burn their city. He then instructs his servants to invite everyone they can find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall is filled with guests. However, the king notices a man without wedding clothes and has him thrown into the outer darkness. Jesus concludes with the statement, “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Remez (Allegorical Meaning)

The Remez level seeks to uncover the allegorical or metaphorical significance behind the literal words.

Allegorical Interpretation:

King: Represents God.
Son: Symbolizes Jesus.
Wedding Feast: Represents the kingdom of heaven or the Messianic banquet.
Invited Guests: Symbolize the people of Israel, particularly the religious leaders who reject the invitation.
Servants: Represent the prophets and messengers of God who were mistreated and killed.
Destruction of the City: Symbolizes divine judgment on those who reject God’s invitation.
New Guests: Represent the inclusion of Gentiles and sinners into the kingdom of heaven.
Wedding Clothes: Symbolize the righteousness and proper preparation required to enter the kingdom.

The allegory emphasizes the rejection of God’s invitation by the religious leaders, the subsequent inclusion of all people into God’s kingdom, and the necessity of being properly prepared to participate in the kingdom.

Derash (Symbolic Meaning)

The Derash level explores deeper, often symbolic meanings, typically involving moral or homiletic interpretations.

Symbolic Interpretation:

Rejection of the Invitation: Reflects the human tendency to prioritize worldly pursuits over spiritual calls.
Violence Against Servants: Represents the resistance and hostility towards divine messages and messengers.
King’s Judgment: Highlights the consequences of rejecting divine grace and the call to repentance.
Invitation to All: Symbolizes the universal offer of salvation and inclusion in God’s kingdom.
Wedding Clothes: Reflect the necessity of inner transformation, righteousness, and preparation for divine fellowship.
Outer Darkness: Symbolizes the state of separation from God, marked by regret and suffering.

Symbolically, the parable calls for attentive response to divine invitations, the embrace of righteousness, and the understanding that inclusion in God’s kingdom requires proper spiritual preparation.

Sod (Secret or Mystical Meaning)

The Sod level delves into the mystical, esoteric meanings that might be hidden within the text.

Mystical Interpretation:

King: Represents the divine source or higher consciousness inviting souls to spiritual union.
Son: Symbolizes the divine Logos or Christ consciousness.
Wedding Feast: Reflects the mystical union and the ultimate state of divine communion.
Refusal of Invitation: Represents the soul’s resistance to spiritual awakening and transformation.
Servants: Symbolize the spiritual guides, prophets, and inner inspirations that call the soul towards divine union.
Destruction of the City: Represents the purification and karmic consequences faced by the soul in its journey.
New Guests: Symbolize the awakened souls from diverse backgrounds invited to the divine union.
Wedding Clothes: Reflect the soul’s preparation, purification, and alignment with divine attributes.
Outer Darkness: Represents the soul’s state of ignorance, separation, and the consequences of spiritual unpreparedness.

Mystically, the parable highlights the soul’s journey towards divine union, emphasizing the need for inner transformation, spiritual readiness, and the consequences of rejecting the call to divine communion.

Conclusion

The PaRDeS method reveals the richness and depth of the Parable of the Wedding Feast. From its literal narrative about a king’s invitation to a wedding feast to its allegorical message about the kingdom of heaven and divine judgment, its symbolic encouragement of spiritual readiness and the consequences of rejecting divine invitations, and its mystical insights into the soul’s journey towards divine union, this parable offers a comprehensive understanding of the importance of responding to God’s call, embracing righteousness, and being spiritually prepared. Engaging with the text on multiple levels allows one to appreciate the profound and multifaceted teachings of Jesus regarding the nature of the kingdom of heaven and the necessity of inner transformation for true inclusion in the divine communion.