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What the Bible Says About Feasts

Overview

The Bible addresses feasts across 30 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, Luke and Daniel. Closely related themes include Covetousness, Parables, Worldliness and Jesus, The Christ. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar and Jesus.

Key Bible verses about feasts

Old Testament

New Testament

Matthew

Matthew 22:1

And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,

Matthew 22:2

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

Matthew 22:3

And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

Matthew 22:4

Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

Matthew 22:5

But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

Matthew 22:6

And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

Matthew 22:7

But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

Matthew 22:8

Then saith he to his servants The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

Matthew 22:9

Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

Matthew 22:10

So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

Matthew 22:11

And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

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.

Luke

Luke 14:16

Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

Luke 14:17

And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

Luke 14:18

And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

Luke 14:19

And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

Luke 14:20

And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

Luke 14:21

So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

Luke 14:22

And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

Luke 14:23

And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Luke 14:24

For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

People in the Bible and feasts

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying feasts for yourself

  • Begin with Genesis 26:28, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Matthew, Luke and Daniel each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar and Jesus and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Covetousness, Parables, Worldliness and Jesus, The Christ.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about feasts?

The Bible addresses feasts across 30 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, Luke and Daniel. Closely related themes include Covetousness, Parables, Worldliness and Jesus, The Christ. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar and Jesus.

How many Bible verses are about feasts?

The Bible references feasts in 30 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention feasts?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 26:28: “And they said, We saw certainly that the LORD was with thee: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee; We saw: Heb. Seeing we saw”

Which people in the Bible are associated with feasts?

Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar and Jesus.

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