Matthew 22:14 (KJV)

Passage

For many are called, but few are chosen.

Nearby Context

Matthew 22:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

Matthew 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Matthew 22:15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

Matthew 22:16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "called" and "chosen". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "called" and "chosen", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 13's "Then said the king to the servants..." into verse 15's "Then went the Pharisees and took counsel...", so "called" and "chosen" belong inside that flow. In Matthew context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "called" and "chosen" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.