Latin quote · Faith

Multi sunt vocati, pauci vero electi

“Many are called, but few are chosen.”

Vulgate, Matthew 22:14

Translation

What does “Multi sunt vocati, pauci vero electi” mean?

Multi sunt vocati, pauci vero electi translates as “Many are called, but few are chosen.”

Many are invited, but few are selected. It is used for competitive selections and spiritual calling alike.

Word by word

“Multi sunt vocati, pauci vero electi” word by word

Latin	English	Grammar
Multi	many	nominative plural masculine of multus, “much, many”; used as a noun, “many people”
sunt	are	third person plural present indicative of sum, “I am”
vocati	called, summoned	nominative plural masculine perfect passive participle of voco, “I call”; with sunt it means “are called”
pauci	few	nominative plural masculine of paucus, “few”; used as a noun, “few people”
vero	but, however	adverb, from verus, “true”; here a mild contrast word (“but in truth”)
electi	chosen, picked out	nominative plural masculine perfect passive participle of eligo, “I choose out”; “sunt” is understood from the first half

Pronunciation

How to pronounce “Multi sunt vocati, pauci vero electi”

Classical LatinMOOL-tee soont wo-KAH-tee POW-kee WAY-roh eh-LEK-tee

Church LatinMOOL-tee soont voh-KAH-tee POW-chee VEH-roh eh-LEK-tee

The differences are in vocati (classical w, church v), pauci (hard k versus ch) and vero (classical WAY-roh, church VEH-roh). The stress falls on the same syllables in both: MUL-ti, vo-CA-ti, PAU-ci, VE-ro, e-LEC-ti.

Origin & context

The story behind it

Word for word the line says “many are called, but few indeed are chosen”. It is the closing verse of the parable of the wedding feast in Matthew 22, in the Latin Vulgate translation of St Jerome from the late 4th century.

In the parable a king invites guests to his son’s wedding feast. Those first invited refuse, others are gathered from the streets, and one guest without a wedding garment is cast out. The final saying sums up the point: many receive the invitation, few prove to be the ones chosen.

The line has long been quoted in sermons and theology, often in debates about calling and election. Outside the church it has become a common way to describe any competitive selection, from elite military units to admissions and auditions.

When to use it

How to use “Multi sunt vocati, pauci vero electi”

It suits a sermon or a reflection on faith, but also any setting built on selection: a competitive program, an elite unit, an audition or an essay on merit and calling. As a tattoo or motto it signals a sense of vocation or of being set apart.

Latin: Multi sunt vocati, pauci vero electi
English: Many are called, but few are chosen.
Source: Vulgate, Matthew 22:14
Era: Church Latin
Theme: Faith

Good to know

Common mistakes

The Latin is Vulgate Church Latin, so the “vocati” here means invited or summoned, not “called” in the sense of a personal nickname or title.
If you change the gender or number, change both participles: “multae sunt vocatae, paucae vero electae” for women, and keep sunt in the plural.
The saying also appears in Matthew 20:16 in many manuscripts, but the Vulgate form quoted here belongs to 22:14.
Dropping vero (“Multi vocati, pauci electi”) is common and still understood, but it loses the “but” of the original contrast.

FAQ

Questions about “Multi sunt vocati, pauci vero electi”

What does “Multi sunt vocati, pauci vero electi” mean?

“Many are called, but few are chosen.” Many receive an invitation or calling, but only a few are selected.

Where does “Multi sunt vocati, pauci vero electi” come from?

It is from the Latin Vulgate, Matthew 22:14, where Jesus ends the parable of the wedding feast with these words.

How do you pronounce “Multi sunt vocati, pauci vero electi”?

In Classical Latin: MOOL-tee soont wo-KAH-tee POW-kee WAY-roh eh-LEK-tee. In Church Latin: MOOL-tee soont voh-KAH-tee POW-chee VEH-roh eh-LEK-tee.

Is “Multi sunt vocati, pauci vero electi” correct Latin for a tattoo?

Yes, it is the Vulgate wording and the grammar is sound. Check the endings if you adapt it, since both participles must match the gender and number of the people meant.

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