CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 22:11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he spotted a man who was not dressed in wedding clothes.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/22-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/40_Mat_22_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 22:11 - The Parable of the Banquet" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But when the king came in to see the guests, he spotted a man who was not dressed in wedding clothes." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/22-11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/22-11.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/22.htm">Chapter 22</a> > Verse 11</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/22-10.htm" title="Matthew 22:10">◄</a> Matthew 22:11 <a href="/matthew/22-12.htm" title="Matthew 22:12">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/22.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/22.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. <a href="/nlt/matthew/22.htm">New Living Translation</a> “But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. <a href="/esv/matthew/22.htm">English Standard Version</a> “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. <a href="/bsb/matthew/22.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But when the king came in to see the guests, he spotted a man who was not dressed in wedding clothes. <a href="/blb/matthew/22.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And the king having entered in to see those reclining, he beheld a man there not being dressed in wedding clothes. <a href="/kjv/matthew/22.htm">King James Bible</a> And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: <a href="/nkjv/matthew/22.htm">New King James Version</a> “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/22.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, <a href="/nasb/matthew/22.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, <a href="/nasb77/matthew/22.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw there a man not dressed in wedding clothes, <a href="/lsb/matthew/22.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, <a href="/amp/matthew/22.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “But when the king came in to see the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed [appropriately] in wedding clothes, <a href="/csb/matthew/22.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed for a wedding. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/22.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But when the king came in to view the guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed for a wedding. <a href="/asv/matthew/22.htm">American Standard Version</a> But when the king came in to behold the guests, he saw there a man who had not on a wedding-garment: <a href="/cev/matthew/22.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> When the king went in to meet the guests, he found that one of them wasn't wearing the right kind of clothes for the wedding. <a href="/erv/matthew/22.htm">English Revised Version</a> But when the king came in to behold the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding-garment: <a href="/gwt/matthew/22.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "When the king came to see the guests, he saw a person who was not dressed in the wedding clothes [provided for the guests]. <a href="/gnt/matthew/22.htm">Good News Translation</a> "The king went in to look at the guests and saw a man who was not wearing wedding clothes. <a href="/isv/matthew/22.htm">International Standard Version</a> "When the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. <a href="/msb/matthew/22.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But when the king came in to see the guests, he spotted a man who was not dressed in wedding clothes. <a href="/net/matthew/22.htm">NET Bible</a> But when the king came in to see the wedding guests, he saw a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. <a href="/nheb/matthew/22.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who did not have on wedding clothing, <a href="/wbt/matthew/22.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who had not a wedding-garment: <a href="/wey/matthew/22.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Now the king came in to see the guests; and among them he discovered one who was not wearing a wedding-robe. <a href="/web/matthew/22.htm">World English Bible</a> “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn’t have on wedding clothing, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/22.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And the king having come in to view those reclining, saw there a man not clothed with wedding clothes, <a href="/blb/matthew/22.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And the king having entered in to see those reclining, he beheld a man there not being dressed in wedding clothes. <a href="/ylt/matthew/22.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'And the king having come in to view those reclining, saw there a man not clothed with clothing of the marriage-feast, <a href="/slt/matthew/22.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the king, having come in to behold the reclining, saw there a man not clad with the garment of the wedding:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/22.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And the king went in to see the guests: and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/22.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then the king entered to see the guests. And he saw a man there who was not clothed in a wedding garment. <a href="/nabre/matthew/22.htm">New American Bible</a> But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/22.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/22.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> When the king entered to see the guests, he saw there a man who was not wearing wedding garments. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/22.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And the King entered to see the guests and he saw a man there who was not wearing a wedding garment.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/22.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man that had not put on a wedding-robe. <a href="/godbey/matthew/22.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>And the king having come in to look upon the guests, saw there a man not having on a wedding-garment.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/22.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Then the king coming in to look around on the guests, saw there a man who had not put on the wedding garment: <a href="/mace/matthew/22.htm">Mace New Testament</a> but upon the king's coming in to see the guests, he observ'd one there without a wedding garment: and he said to him, <a href="/wey/matthew/22.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Now the king came in to see the guests; and among them he discovered one who was not wearing a wedding-robe. <a href="/worrell/matthew/22.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>"And he saw there a man not having on a wedding-garment;<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/22.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man that had not put on a wedding-garment, and saith to him,<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/22-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=6443" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/22.htm">The Parable of the Banquet</a> …10So the servants went out into the streets and gathered everyone they could find, both evil and good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But when</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/935.htm" title="935: basileus (N-NMS) -- A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign.">king</a> <a href="/greek/1525.htm" title="1525: Eiselthōn (V-APA-NMS) -- To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter.">came in</a> <a href="/greek/2300.htm" title="2300: theasasthai (V-ANM) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to look closely at, i.e. perceive; by extension to visit.">to see</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/345.htm" title="345: anakeimenous (V-PPM/P-AMP) -- To recline, especially at a dinner-table. From ana and keimai; to recline.">guests,</a> <a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: eiden (V-AIA-3S) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">he spotted</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpon (N-AMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">a man</a> <a href="/greek/1563.htm" title="1563: ekei (Adv) -- (a) there, yonder, in that place, (b) thither, there. Of uncertain affinity; there; by extension, thither."></a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">who was not</a> <a href="/greek/1746.htm" title="1746: endedymenon (V-RPM-AMS) -- To put on, clothe (another). From en and duno; to invest with clothing.">dressed</a> <a href="/greek/1062.htm" title="1062: gamou (N-GMS) -- A marriage, wedding, wedding-ceremony; plur: a wedding-feast. Of uncertain affinity; nuptials.">in wedding</a> <a href="/greek/1742.htm" title="1742: endyma (N-ANS) -- A garment, raiment, clothing. From enduo; apparel.">clothes.</a> 12‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But the man was speechless.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/revelation/19-7.htm">Revelation 19:7-8</a> Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. / She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints. <a href="/zechariah/3-3.htm">Zechariah 3:3-5</a> Now Joshua was dressed in filthy garments as he stood before the angel. / So the angel said to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have removed your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes.” / Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So a clean turban was placed on his head, and they clothed him, as the angel of the LORD stood by. <a href="/isaiah/61-10.htm">Isaiah 61:10</a> I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. <a href="/revelation/3-4.htm">Revelation 3:4-5</a> But you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and because they are worthy, they will walk with Me in white. / Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels. <a href="/revelation/7-13.htm">Revelation 7:13-14</a> Then one of the elders addressed me: “These in white robes,” he asked, “who are they, and where have they come from?” / “Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. <a href="/2_corinthians/5-3.htm">2 Corinthians 5:3</a> because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. <a href="/ephesians/4-24.htm">Ephesians 4:24</a> and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. <a href="/colossians/3-10.htm">Colossians 3:10-12</a> and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. / Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all. / Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. <a href="/galatians/3-27.htm">Galatians 3:27</a> For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. <a href="/romans/13-14.htm">Romans 13:14</a> Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh. <a href="/job/29-14.htm">Job 29:14</a> I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and my turban. <a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a> Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind. <a href="/psalms/132-9.htm">Psalm 132:9</a> May Your priests be clothed with righteousness, and Your saints shout for joy. <a href="/isaiah/52-1.htm">Isaiah 52:1</a> Awake, awake, clothe yourself with strength, O Zion! Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, holy city! For the uncircumcised and unclean will no longer enter you. <a href="/ezekiel/16-10.htm">Ezekiel 16:10-14</a> I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of fine leather. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk. / I adorned you with jewelry, and I put bracelets on your wrists and a chain around your neck. / I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown upon your head. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:when.<a href="/matthew/3-12.htm">Matthew 3:12</a> Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.<a href="/matthew/13-30.htm">Matthew 13:30</a> Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.<a href="/matthew/25-31.htm">Matthew 25:31,32</a> When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: … which.<a href="/2_kings/10-22.htm">2 Kings 10:22</a> And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments.<a href="/psalms/45-13.htm">Psalm 45:13,14</a> The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold… <a href="/isaiah/52-1.htm">Isaiah 52:1</a> Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/19-26.htm">Beheld</a> <a href="/matthew/21-8.htm">Clothes</a> <a href="/matthew/21-7.htm">Clothing</a> <a href="/matthew/22-4.htm">Dinner</a> <a href="/hosea/7-1.htm">Discovered</a> <a href="/matthew/11-8.htm">Dressed</a> <a href="/matthew/14-36.htm">Garment</a> <a href="/matthew/22-10.htm">Guests</a> <a href="/matthew/22-12.htm">Guest's</a> <a href="/matthew/22-10.htm">Marriage-Feast</a> <a href="/matthew/9-11.htm">Noticed</a> <a href="/matthew/14-36.htm">Robe</a> <a href="/matthew/19-8.htm">View</a> <a href="/matthew/11-8.htm">Wearing</a> <a href="/matthew/22-10.htm">Wedding</a> <a href="/matthew/22-12.htm">Wedding-Garment</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/3-11.htm">Beheld</a> <a href="/matthew/22-12.htm">Clothes</a> <a href="/matthew/22-12.htm">Clothing</a> <a href="/matthew/23-6.htm">Dinner</a> <a href="/luke/23-14.htm">Discovered</a> <a href="/mark/5-15.htm">Dressed</a> <a href="/matthew/22-12.htm">Garment</a> <a href="/mark/2-19.htm">Guests</a> <a href="/matthew/22-12.htm">Guest's</a> <a href="/matthew/22-12.htm">Marriage-Feast</a> <a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">Noticed</a> <a href="/matthew/22-12.htm">Robe</a> <a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">View</a> <a href="/matthew/22-12.htm">Wearing</a> <a href="/matthew/22-12.htm">Wedding</a> <a href="/matthew/22-12.htm">Wedding-Garment</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 22</div>1. <a href="/matthew/22-1.htm">The parable of the marriage of the king's son.</a> 9. <a href="/matthew/22-9.htm">The vocation of the Gentiles.</a> 12. <a href="/matthew/22-12.htm">The punishment of him who lacked a wedding garment.</a> 15. <a href="/matthew/22-15.htm">Tribute ought to be paid to Caesar.</a> 23. <a href="/matthew/22-23.htm">Jesus confutes the Sadducees for the resurrection;</a> 34. <a href="/matthew/22-34.htm">answers which is the first and great commandment;</a> 41. <a href="/matthew/22-41.htm">and puzzles the Pharisees by a question about the Messiah.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/matthew/22.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>But when the king came in The phrase "But when the king came in" introduces a pivotal moment in the parable of the wedding banquet. The "king" represents God, who is sovereign and omniscient. In the context of the parable, the king's entrance signifies divine judgment and the moment of truth. The Greek word for "king" is "basileus," which denotes authority and power. This highlights God's ultimate authority over the kingdom of heaven and His right to judge the hearts of men.to see the guests The king's purpose "to see the guests" implies a personal and discerning examination. The Greek word "theaomai" is used here, meaning to behold or look upon with intent. This suggests that God is not distant or indifferent but is actively involved in the lives of those who are called to His kingdom. It reflects the biblical truth that God knows each individual intimately and discerns the true state of their heart.he spotted a man The phrase "he spotted a man" indicates the king's keen observation. The Greek word "eidō" means to perceive or notice. This highlights the idea that nothing escapes God's notice. In the context of the parable, it underscores the fact that God is aware of those who are genuinely prepared for His kingdom and those who are not.who was not dressed in wedding clothes The phrase "who was not dressed in wedding clothes" is central to the message of the parable. In ancient times, wedding garments were often provided by the host, symbolizing the righteousness required to enter the kingdom of heaven. The Greek word "enduma" refers to clothing or attire. This imagery is a metaphor for the righteousness of Christ, which believers must "put on" to be acceptable before God. The absence of wedding clothes signifies a lack of preparation and a rejection of the grace offered through Christ. It serves as a warning that outward appearances or mere association with the church are insufficient without true repentance and faith in Jesus.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/22.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) To see the guests.--The verb conveys the idea of inspecting. The king came to see whether all the guests had fulfilled the implied condition of coming in suitable apparel. The framework of the parable probably pre-supposes the Oriental custom of providing garments for the guests who were invited to a royal feast. Wardrobes filled with many thousand garments formed part of the wealth of every Eastern prince (<a href="/matthew/6-19.htm" title="Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:">Matthew 6:19</a>; <a href="/james/5-2.htm" title="Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.">James 5:2</a>), and it was part of his glory, as in the case of the assembly which Jehu held for the worshippers of Baal (<a href="/2_kings/10-22.htm" title="And he said to him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments.">2Kings 10:22</a>), to bring them out for use on state occasions. On this assumption, the act of the man who was found "not having a wedding garment" was one of wilful insult. He came in the "filthy rags" (<a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm" title="But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.">Isaiah 64:6</a>) of his old life, instead of putting on the "white linen" meet for a kingly feast (<a href="/ecclesiastes/9-8.htm" title="Let your garments be always white; and let your head lack no ointment.">Ecclesiastes 9:8</a>; <a href="/context/revelation/3-4.htm" title="You have a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.">Revelation 3:4-5</a>) which had been freely offered him. Even without this assumption, the parable pre-supposes that the man might easily have got the garment, and that it was, therefore, his own fault that he had it not. What, then, is the "wedding garment?" Answers have been returned to that question from very different dogmatic standpoints. Some have seen in it the outward ordinance of Baptism, some the imputed righteousness of Christ covering the nakedness of our own unrighteousness. These answers, it is believed, are at once too narrow and too technical. The analogy of Scriptural symbolism elsewhere (<a href="/context/revelation/3-4.htm" title="You have a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.">Revelation 3:4-5</a>; <a href="/revelation/3-18.htm" title="I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.">Revelation 3:18</a>; <a href="/revelation/19-8.htm" title="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.">Revelation 19:8</a>; <a href="/1_peter/5-5.htm" title="Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves to the elder. Yes, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.">1Peter 5:5</a>; <a href="/isaiah/1-18.htm" title="Come now, and let us reason together, said the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.">Isaiah 1:18</a>; <a href="/psalms/109-18.htm" title="As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.">Psalm 109:18</a>), leads us to see in the "garment" of a man the habits of good or evil by which his character is manifested to others. Here, therefore, the "wedding garment" is nothing less than the "holiness" without which "no man shall see the Lord" (<a href="/hebrews/12-14.htm" title="Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:">Hebrews 12:14</a>), and that holiness, as in the framework of the parable and in the realities of the spiritual life, Christ is ever ready to impart to him that truly believes. It is obvious that no inference can be drawn from the fact that in the parable one guest only is without the wedding garment, any more than from there being only one "wicked and slothful servant" in the parables of the Talents and the Pounds. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/22.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 11. - The king came in to see the guests, who by this time had taken their appointed places at table. This second portion of the parable teaches that admission to the visible Church is not all that is required; there is also a scrutiny to be undergone and an award to be made. And that this investigation is keen and searching is denoted by the verb used, θεάσασθαι, which means not merely, to see casually, but to gaze upon with the intent of seeing the real nature and character of an object. The king makes his appearance in the banqueting hall, not to feast with the guests, but to welcome them, and to examine if they are properly ordered, served, and fitted for the high honour accorded to them. How close and personal is this inquiry is shown by the immediate detection of one unseemly guest among the multitude. The time when he thus comes is, in one view, the day of judgment; but such visitation and scrutiny are always recurring, as at solemn seasons, in days of trial, sacred services, holy communion, when he searches men's hearts, and sees if they are prepared for his presence. Which had not on a wedding garment; οὐκ ἐνδεδυμένον ἔνδυμα γάμου: not garbed in wedding garment, the genitive expressing the peculiar character or quality of the garment. Wordsworth compares similar phrases: <a href="/luke/16-9.htm">Luke 16:9</a>; <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-3.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:3, 9</a>; <a href="/james/1-25.htm">James 1:25</a>; <a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1</a>, etc. It is said to have been an Oriental custom to present each guest invited to a royal feast with a festive robe to be worn on the occasion, as nowadays persons admitted to the royal presence are clothed with a caftan. Traces of the custom have been found in <a href="/genesis/45-22.htm">Genesis 45:22</a>; <a href="/judges/14-12.htm">Judges 14:12</a>; <a href="/2_kings/5-22.htm">2 Kings 5:22</a>; <a href="/2_kings/10-22.htm">2 Kings 10:22</a>; but they are not very convincing. The Romans seem to have had such a custom, the robes being called "cenatoria." Thus Martial, 10:87, 11, writes - "Pugnorum reus ebriaeque noctis, Cenatoria mittat advocato." But the fact remains that this guest had not presented himself in attire befitting the solemnity; in his everyday garb, and with no proper preparation, he had dared to come to this great festival. What is the spiritual meaning of the wedding garment is much disputed. It is evidently some virtue, or quality, or mark which conditions admission to the enjoyment of the kingdom of God. On the one hand, it is said that both bad and good guests wear it, and its possession does not alter the character of the wearer. Dress is something external and visible, therefore the garment cannot represent an inward grace or feeling, but some outward token by which Christians are distinguished, such as open reception of baptism and sacraments, and public profession of the faith. On the other hand, it is contended that the whole matter is spiritual, though veiled in material forms, and is concerned with man's moral and spiritual nature. Hence it by no means follows that the wedding garment is not intended to have a spiritual signification. Ancient commentators universally look upon it in this light. Some regard it as an emblem of faith in Christ; others, of faith and love combined. "Habete fidem cum dilectione," writes St. Augustine, 'Serm.,' 90, "ista est vestis nuptialis." But it must be observed that faith of some sort was shown by accepting the invitation; so this could not be represented by the special garb which was absent. Others, again, see in it good works, or humility, or the purity effected by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Some moderns take it of "imputed," others of imparted, righteousness, bringing their controversies into the King's presence. chamber. The English Church, taking the marriage feast as a figure of the Holy Communion, applies the wedding garment to that cleansing of the conscience which enables persons to come holy and clean to that heavenly feast (see the first Exhortation to Holy Communion). This is legitimate, but too restricted in its reference. The feast denotes the present and future kingdom of God; the entrance to this is a matter of free grace; the garment is moral fitness, the life and conduct dependent on the due use of God's grace. This is in the power of all who have received the call; they have to act up to the high calling, to be wholly, heartily, really what they profess to be. The scrutiny, whether made in this life or in the life to come, shows how grace has been used, if we have put on Christ, if we have kept our soul pure and white, unsullied by sin, or washed clean by penitential tears and the blood of Christ (see <a href="/revelation/19-8.htm">Revelation 19:8</a>). The metaphor concerning this robe of righteousness is found in <a href="/isaiah/61-10.htm">Isaiah 61:10</a>, "He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with a garland, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." Commentators compare (but with doubtful appositeness) <a href="/zephaniah/1-7.htm">Zephaniah 1:7, 8</a>. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/22-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But when δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. king βασιλεὺς (basileus) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign. came in Εἰσελθὼν (Eiselthōn) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1525.htm">Strong's 1525: </a> To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter. to see θεάσασθαι (theasasthai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle <a href="/greek/strongs_2300.htm">Strong's 2300: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb; to look closely at, i.e. perceive; by extension to visit. the τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. guests, ἀνακειμένους (anakeimenous) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_345.htm">Strong's 345: </a> To recline, especially at a dinner-table. From ana and keimai; to recline. he spotted εἶδεν (eiden) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. a man ἄνθρωπον (anthrōpon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. [who was] not οὐκ (ouk) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. dressed ἐνδεδυμένον (endedymenon) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1746.htm">Strong's 1746: </a> To put on, clothe (another). From en and duno; to invest with clothing. in wedding γάμου (gamou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1062.htm">Strong's 1062: </a> A marriage, wedding, wedding-ceremony; plur: a wedding-feast. Of uncertain affinity; nuptials. clothes. ἔνδυμα (endyma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1742.htm">Strong's 1742: </a> A garment, raiment, clothing. From enduo; apparel. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/22-11.htm">Matthew 22:11 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/22-11.htm">Matthew 22:11 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/22-11.htm">Matthew 22:11 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/22-11.htm">Matthew 22:11 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/22-11.htm">Matthew 22:11 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/22-11.htm">Matthew 22:11 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/22-11.htm">Matthew 22:11 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/22-11.htm">Matthew 22:11 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/22-11.htm">Matthew 22:11 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/22-11.htm">Matthew 22:11 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/22-11.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 22:11 But when the king came (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/22-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 22:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 22:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/22-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 22:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 22:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>