This passage in Luke appears during the meal at the “prominent Pharisee’s” house, apparently a theme Jesus taught on more than once. In Luke one of those in attendance, perhaps a Pharisee, says:
Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.
Jesus affirms this and tells a story about those who are just too preoccupied with busyness to come when called. Ouch! Those who are specifically invited, but made excuses why they couldn’t attend, so the master invites others in an effort to fill the banquet hall.
I tell you , not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.
Have we heard the invitation and been too busy to answer?