Matthew 22:12 kjv
And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
Matthew 22:12 nkjv
So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless.
Matthew 22:12 niv
He asked, 'How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?' The man was speechless.
Matthew 22:12 esv
And he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless.
Matthew 22:12 nlt
'Friend,' he asked, 'how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?' But the man had no reply.
Matthew 22 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 3:7 | ...they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together... | Man's attempt to cover his own sin |
| Isa 61:10 | ...for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness... | God's provision of spiritual clothing |
| Zec 3:3-4 | Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. ...Take away the filthy garments from him... clothe him with change of raiment... | Divine removal of sin, clothing in righteousness |
| Rom 13:14 | But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. | Clothed in Christ, a spiritual covering |
| Gal 3:27 | For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. | Baptism symbolizes putting on Christ |
| Eph 4:22-24 | ...that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man... and that ye put on the new man... | Putting off sin, putting on new nature |
| Col 3:10, 12 | ...have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge... Put on therefore, as the elect of God... bowels of mercies... | Putting on Christ-like virtues |
| Rev 3:4-5 | ...they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy... the same shall be clothed in white raiment... | Symbol of purity and victory in Christ |
| Rev 7:9 | After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude... clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands... | Redeemed in white robes, worshipping God |
| Rev 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. | Righteousness of saints as a clean garment |
| Matt 25:10 | And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage... | Readiness for the coming of Christ |
| Luke 14:18-20 | And they all with one consent began to make excuse... | Excuses for rejecting the invitation |
| Luke 14:21 | So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry... | Anger at refusal to accept invitation |
| Heb 12:14 | Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. | Necessity of holiness for God's presence |
| 2 Cor 5:3 | If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. | Not being found without Christ |
| Titus 3:5 | Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us... | Righteousness as God's grace, not human work |
| Php 3:9 | And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ... | Righteousness through faith in Christ |
| Matt 25:41 | Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire... | Consequence of unworthiness at judgment |
| Isa 59:6 | Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works... | Human efforts are insufficient |
| Zeph 1:7-8 | Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God... and punish the princes, and the king’s children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel. | Judgment for those improperly dressed (spiritually) |
| Jude 1:23 | And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. | Moral purity, spiritual cleanliness |
| Rom 10:3 | For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. | Rejecting God's righteousness for self-righteousness |
Matthew 22 verses
Matthew 22 12 Meaning
Matthew 22:12 describes a crucial moment in the Parable of the Wedding Feast, where a king inspects his guests. This verse highlights the king's direct confrontation with a guest who failed to wear a proper wedding garment. The "wedding garment" symbolizes the spiritual righteousness and preparedness required to enter God's kingdom. The guest's lack of a suitable garment, and his subsequent inability to offer an excuse, signify a failure to meet the divine standard for acceptance, leading to immediate judgment and exclusion from the feast, which represents eternal fellowship with God. It emphasizes accountability and the necessity of being appropriately clothed for God's presence, not by human effort alone, but by divine provision and acceptance through faith.
Matthew 22 12 Context
Matthew 22:12 is part of the Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matt 22:1-14). This parable immediately follows the Parable of the Tenants (Matt 21:33-46), both of which were addressed by Jesus to the chief priests and Pharisees in the temple, directly challenging their authority and unbelief. The wedding feast symbolizes the Messianic banquet or the Kingdom of Heaven. The king represents God, the son is Jesus, and the initial invited guests are Israel's religious leaders and eventually the nation as a whole who largely rejected God's invitation through His prophets and ultimately His Son. After these reject the invitation violently, the king sends his servants to invite anyone from the "highways," symbolizing the Gentiles and the marginalized, into the feast. Verse 12 occurs during the king's final inspection of these newly gathered guests. This parable, like others, serves as a strong warning of judgment against those who outwardly claim to belong to the kingdom but lack genuine internal transformation or a relationship with God as evidenced by spiritual readiness. Historically, guests invited to a king's banquet would often be provided with appropriate attire by the host as a gesture of generosity and a uniform standard of entry, making the absence of such a garment particularly significant as a deliberate refusal or negligence, rather than inability.
Matthew 22 12 Word analysis
- How (Greek: πῶς - pōs): An interrogative adverb indicating surprise, disbelief, and a demand for explanation. It implies that the guest's presence in this state is astonishing and inappropriate given the circumstances. It highlights a violation of expectation and decorum.
- then said he (Greek: ἔφη αὐτῷ - ephē autō): A direct address from the king, emphasizing his authority and the immediate, personal nature of the judgment. The swift transition signifies the directness of divine scrutiny.
- friend (Greek: ἑταῖρος - hetairos): This word typically refers to a companion or associate, not necessarily an intimate friend (for which φίλος - philos would be used). Here, it is used ironically or as a formal address, devoid of affection. It underscores the lack of a true, internal connection or the proper relationship required, despite the outward proximity or being among the invited guests. Jesus also uses this term for the one who refused to pay his debt (Matt 20:13) and for Judas (Matt 26:50), indicating a person who has betrayed trust or proven unworthy of a true bond.
- how did you come in here without (Greek: πῶς εἰσῆλθες ὧδε μὴ ἔχων - pōs eisēlthes hōde mē echōn): This repeated "how" emphasizes the grave nature of the transgression. It suggests not only a question of the means of entry but also the audacity or unworthiness of being present without the required spiritual "attire." The phrase "without" underscores the complete absence of what was essential for legitimate inclusion.
- a wedding garment (Greek: ἔνδυμα γάμου - endyma gamou): This is the central symbolic element. It represents the required spiritual preparation and righteousness necessary to be acceptable to God for entrance into His Kingdom. In Jewish tradition, proper attire for festive occasions was crucial; sometimes hosts provided garments. Its absence signifies either:
- Refusal: Deliberately rejecting the king's expectation or provided righteousness.
- Negligence: Failing to acquire or put on the garment despite the opportunity, showing disdain or carelessness toward the host's honor.Spiritually, it symbolizes the righteousness provided by God through Christ (Isa 61:10; Rev 19:8), imputed through faith, and evidenced by a transformed life (Eph 4:22-24; Col 3:10, 12). It implies a failure to submit to God's terms of salvation.
- And he was speechless (Greek: ὁ δὲ ἐφιμώθη - ho de ephimōthē): The Greek ephimōthē (from phimoo) means to be muzzled, silenced, or struck dumb. It indicates complete lack of a defense or excuse. The guest had no valid explanation for his transgression, demonstrating his guilt. This symbolizes the clarity of divine judgment: there will be no justifiable arguments or excuses before God for those who are unprepared or self-righteous. It points to a profound conviction of guilt in the presence of undeniable truth.
Matthew 22 12 Bonus section
The concept of the "wedding garment" could imply that such garments were either freely provided by the host for all guests upon arrival, or it refers to a universally understood custom that guests of honor provide their own suitable attire, meaning the lack of one indicated contempt for the host. Most scholars lean towards the host providing them, making the man's nakedness an act of rebellion or extreme neglect rather than poverty. His inability to speak signifies that there was no valid excuse; his transgression was either deliberate defiance or profound indifference to the host's generosity and honor. The Parable of the Wedding Feast serves as a particularly sharp criticism not only of Israel's rejection of Jesus but also of any who, though brought into the fold (church), fail to align themselves spiritually with God's righteousness. It foreshadows the final judgment, where every life will be examined, and only those "clothed in Christ" will stand righteous before the King.
Matthew 22 12 Commentary
Matthew 22:12 provides a sobering revelation about God's scrutinizing gaze and the non-negotiable requirements for entry into His kingdom. The guest, despite having accepted the invitation and being physically present at the feast, represents those who outwardly align with God's people or claim belief but lack the necessary spiritual qualification—the "wedding garment." This garment is not self-righteousness gained by human effort, but rather the imputed and imparted righteousness of Christ, embraced by faith, leading to a life of genuine transformation. The king's calm but firm question, addressing the man ironically as "friend," exposes the man's hypocrisy and unpreparedness. The man's subsequent silence signifies the futility of excuses when confronted with divine truth. This silence underlines his undeniable guilt and lack of genuine spiritual clothing. The verse warns against nominal Christianity, emphasizing that mere presence or participation in outward religious observances is insufficient. God will inspect each individual, and those found without the divinely provided "garment"—which signifies a saving relationship with Christ and a life conformed to His will—will be excluded from the eternal banquet, facing severe consequences (as revealed in the next verse, Matt 22:13). It is a stark reminder that while the invitation to the Kingdom is wide and inclusive, acceptance is conditional on appropriate spiritual readiness given by God.