Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?

[shepherdsword]

How did this man make it to the wedding without a wedding garment? What IS a wedding "garment"? What is "outer Darkness"?

Mt 22:12-14 So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. "For many are called, but few are chosen."



Could it be this?

Rv 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

or perhaps This?

Rv 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

or this?

Rv 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Thoughts?

 

[Bob]

Thank you for the post and question.

Here is what W F Adeney had to say:

THE WEDDING, GARMENT. The dramatic incident with which the parable closes gives us a shock of surprise. Here is an additional, most important lesson. All kinds of people are invited, and some are in a very unfit state to appear at the wedding feast. But the king provides a seemly garment, that the dingy dress of everyday life may not mar the beauty of the festival. God invites all sorts and conditions of men to the feast of the gospel, and even the very lowest may come at once. But God provides them a new character. If a man will not take this, if he seeks the privileges of the gospel, but will not submit to its changing influence on his character, he must be cast forth. He can come just as he is; but he must not remain just as he is, especially as God provides for him a better way of life.

Blessings.

 

[LoveYeshua]

How did this man make it to the wedding without a wedding garment? What IS a wedding "garment"? What is "outer Darkness"?

Mt 22:12-14 So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. "For many are called, but few are chosen."



Could it be this?

Rv 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

or perhaps This?

Rv 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

or this?

Rv 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Thoughts?

The parable in Matthew 22:12–14 teaches that being called to God’s kingdom is not enough. We must be properly prepared. The “wedding garment” symbolizes righteousness and holiness, a life lived in faith and obedience to God. Those who reject His ways or come unprepared face “outer darkness,” which is separation from God, full of sorrow and regret.

Revelation explains what this garment represents. In Revelation 3:5, those who overcome are given white raiment, showing God’s gift of righteousness to the faithful. Revelation 19:8 says the bride is clothed in fine linen, clean and white, representing the righteous acts of the saints. Revelation 19:14 shows the armies of heaven clothed in white linen, symbolizing purity and readiness.

Together, these passages show that the wedding garment is not something we earn by attendance alone. It is the God-given righteousness of those who faithfully follow Him. Many are called, but only those who put on this garment through faith, obedience, and holy living are truly chosen and welcomed into the feast of God’s kingdom.

Blessings

 

[soberxp]

Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?

It is my understanding that there is no basic courtesy.

But if you're talking about the clothes of the righteous, how did the one get in?

 

[LoveYeshua]

Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?

It is my understanding that there is no basic courtesy.

But if you're talking about the clothes of the righteous, how did the one get in?

scripture relates many are called but few chosen, the ones that got in were indeed called but did not believe enough to do God's will. GOD Knows the heart of every man

 

[Randy Kluth]

A great question. I think white linen simply represents clothes that are deemed clean by God and acceptable in God's presence and under His covenant. All of the curtains in the Tabernacle worship were of white linen and separated the common people, who were contaminated by the record of sin, from those deemed clean by God and forgiven. The garments, whether for entry and for service in the Tabernacle or for participation in a wedding, required the sanction of the one whose service it was.

In this case, the service alluded to is administered by God and required application of His requirements. To get through the barrier imposed by the record of our sin we must obtain a dispensation of grace, which God accepts on the basis of our lives and deeds committed to Him.

The robes of the ordinary priests had sashes/belts, I believe, with red, purple, and blue threads running through the linen cloth. And the High Priest's clothing had a lot more of these red, purple, and blue threads, representing the divine work of Christ. The ordinary priests, therefore, held their righteousness by a belt that came from the work of Christ in redeeming them from their sinful record. As such, their works were sanctioned by Christ and accepted as participation in his righteousness.

The Outer Darkness is, I think, where the Lake of Fire takes all who don't belong on the New Earth or in the Kingdom of God. Their place in the Eternal Fire simply means their presence in God's Kingdom is forever destroyed, leaving their habitat in a place outside of the City of Light, which is an eternity of spiritual darkness, or Outer Darkness.

 

[ScottA]

How did this man make it to the wedding without a wedding garment? What IS a wedding "garment"? What is "outer Darkness"?

Mt 22:12-14 So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. "For many are called, but few are chosen."



Could it be this?

Rv 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

or perhaps This?

Rv 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

or this?

Rv 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Thoughts?

We are called--Jesus knocks--and if we answer and let Him in, we put on Christ: "for me to live is Christ."

Which is not to say in part, as a garment per se, nor with reservations, but emptied fully of our own self naked. And if it is true and not for show or with a sceptical, "we'll see" mind--not of being wise--the garment of Christ is new creation, new birth within by the spirit of God--it is the marriage. Which some will only come to in passing, in the resurrection, invitation in hand only, meaning only for the festivities and the food, but without commitment of heart. This is the line that shall not be crossed. Many shall be turned away wanting.

 

[shepherdsword]

The parable in Matthew 22:12–14 teaches that being called to God’s kingdom is not enough. We must be properly prepared. The “wedding garment” symbolizes righteousness and holiness, a life lived in faith and obedience to God. Those who reject His ways or come unprepared face “outer darkness,” which is separation from God, full of sorrow and regret.

Revelation explains what this garment represents. In Revelation 3:5, those who overcome are given white raiment, showing God’s gift of righteousness to the faithful. Revelation 19:8 says the bride is clothed in fine linen, clean and white, representing the righteous acts of the saints. Revelation 19:14 shows the armies of heaven clothed in white linen, symbolizing purity and readiness.

Together, these passages show that the wedding garment is not something we earn by attendance alone. It is the God-given righteousness of those who faithfully follow Him. Many are called, but only those who put on this garment through faith, obedience, and holy living are truly chosen and welcomed into the feast of God’s kingdom.

Blessings

But how did this one guest make it to the wedding without a garment?

 

[ScottA]

But how did this one guest make it to the wedding without a garment?

For this Jesus spoke of the difference between Mary and Martha.

 

[MatthewG]

But how did this one guest make it to the wedding without a garment?

Hello Shepherdsword,

Matthew 22: 1 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

4 “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

5 “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. 6 The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. 7 The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

8 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.

13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

In the prior chapter, Jesus had left the temple and said :

Matthew 21: 31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

He continues telling parables after brining you into the next chapter of the wedding banquet.

This is in reference to people whom are trying to sneak into the kingdom by going around the gate.

Found in John chapter 10:1“Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2But the one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

I equate it to when John the Baptist said:

Matthew 3:9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

That was why the person was found there without a wedding dress. They were trying to sneak in by other means going around the gate itself, in just trying to blend in, however they were not protected by the Lord Yeshua, whom is our cover today. His righteouness is what makes people right with God - not because of what they do - but because of what he had done.

I would add something extra in here ... Oh that is right.

There were people who believed but wouldn't openly confess in that day in age as well.

Found in John Chapter 12;

John 12:42 (ESV): “Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue.”

Hope this helps you on your quest for an answer, this the best I got,
Grace and peace,
Matthew

 

[shepherdsword]

For this Jesus spoke of the difference between Mary and Martha.

I always thought both were fine with the choice they made...it's only when Martha began to judge Mary for not serving that Jesus intervened.

 

[ScottA]

I always thought both were fine with the choice they made...it's only when Martha began to judge Mary for not serving that Jesus intervened.

Martha's garment was a mere apron.

 

[Randy Kluth]

But how did this one guest make it to the wedding without a garment?

The priests of Israel were made priests by their heritage, which simply requires legal adherance to the rules. But we all know that legal adherance to rules cannot substitute for genuine faith, which not only keeps the rules outwardly, but inwardly, as well, because those with faith invite Christ within to rule them from within.

Those who are purely nominal attenders of a wedding may legally get through the door. But eventually it will be discovered that they are purely exterior participants, and not true qualified participants. It may look good outwardly at the start. But over time, what they are made up comes out.

 

[Muna]

How did this man make it to the wedding without a wedding garment? What IS a wedding "garment"? What is "outer Darkness"?

Mt 22:12-14 So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. "For many are called, but few are chosen."



Could it be this?

Rv 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

or perhaps This?

Rv 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

or this?

Rv 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Thoughts?

Go down a handful of verses in the same chapter you quoted in Rev 3

Rev 3:17
[17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
[18] I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.


In that could be a connection to the lack of white raiment, its got that rich man/kingdom thing going on there a little too

 

[NotTheRock]

Thank you for the post and question.

Here is what W F Adeney had to say:

THE WEDDING, GARMENT. The dramatic incident with which the parable closes gives us a shock of surprise. Here is an additional, most important lesson. All kinds of people are invited, and some are in a very unfit state to appear at the wedding feast. But the king provides a seemly garment, that the dingy dress of everyday life may not mar the beauty of the festival. God invites all sorts and conditions of men to the feast of the gospel, and even the very lowest may come at once. But God provides them a new character. If a man will not take this, if he seeks the privileges of the gospel, but will not submit to its changing influence on his character, he must be cast forth. He can come just as he is; but he must not remain just as he is, especially as God provides for him a better way of life.

Blessings.

Is that parable describing people who believe in Jesus and proclaim to follow him but actually do not?

 

[Muna]

Is that parable describing people who believe in Jesus and proclaim to follow him but actually do not?

I like that one too @NotTheRock , because we are to put on Christ right?

And here is an example in the OT speaking of a brides attire

Jeremiah 2:32 Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number

 

[Deborah_]

How did this man make it to the wedding without a wedding garment? What IS a wedding "garment"? What is "outer Darkness"?

The "wedding clothes" are righteous deeds. The "outer darkness", where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth" is Hell.
James puts it more bluntly when he writes that faith without works can't save us. A "faith" that doesn't produce righteous deeds isn't true saving faith.
To look at it another way, none of the guests came in wearing wedding clothes. But once we are inside the kingdom, the true believers start to produce the fruit of righteousness - and then the false believers stand out like sore thumbs. And many of Jesus' parables speak of the weeding out of false believers at the end of the age.

 

[NotTheRock]

I like that one too @NotTheRock , because we are to put on Christ right?

And here is an example in the OT speaking of a brides attire

Jeremiah 2:32 Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number

Thank you.

 

[NotTheRock]

The "outer darkness", where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth" is Hell.

Isn't "Hell" simply the grave?

 

[SavedInHim]

But how did this one guest make it to the wedding without a garment?

I think you're missing the point of the parable. The point is to make sure you have your wedding garment on.