{To call them that were bidden} (kalesai tous
kekl(886d)enous). "Perhaps an unconscious play on the words, lost in
both A.V. and Rev., {to call the called}" (Vincent). It was a
Jewish custom to invite a second time the already invited ( Es
5:8  6:14 ). The prophets of old had given God's invitation to
the Jewish people. Now the Baptist and Jesus had given the second
invitation that the feast was ready. {And they would not come}
(kai ouk (8874)helon elthein). This negative imperfect
characterizes the stubborn refusal of the Jewish leaders to
accept Jesus as God's Son ( Joh 1:11 ). This is "The Hebrew
Tragedy" (Conder).