What is this necessary “Wedding Garment”?

[Mr. M]

Matthew 22:
11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not
have on a wedding garment.
12 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.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

 

[mlepfitjw]

Monardo, hey nice scripture here cause I never figured out why the man was tossed outside.

 

[Mr. M]

Monardo, hey nice scripture here cause I never figured out why the man was tossed outside.

I can mention two things right away. One, The Lord is speaking in parables, which were generally
used when speaking to crowds, where many "were not given for them to know the mysteries
of the kingdom". The disciples were expected to grasp these lessons, but often needed further
explanation later. Most importantly for me though, and this used to be in my signature:
John 6:63. It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak
to you are spirit, and they are life.

Since Messiah has ascended and The Holy Spirit has been given, it is upon us to meditate upon
these lessons as acts of devotion and receive explanations from The Lord that we can apply
personally in serving Him. I believe that the only way we can serve the Lord, and His body, is
to have an anointing for that particular role He is expecting you to perform for the edification of others.
For example, John the Baptist was questioned about his ministry, he answered with Isaiah 40:3, I am
a voice calling out in the wilderness...
Once he baptized the Messiah, he had fulfilled that calling and became a voice in the city who condemned
the king, who promptly imprisoned him and later beheaded him. I am not so sure John was sent by God
to condemn Herod, this Jesus said of His ministry, "I have not come to condemn, but to save". We
must be certain that we are under an anointing! The scripture did not say, "then the Spirit of the Lord
told John, go tell that rascal Herod..." To me this is a powerful lesson for ministry. Others may disagree.
That's cool. I am not trying to be dogmatic, although I am notoriously didactic.
Anyway, glad you stopped by, I always enjoy your messages in response. Have a blessed evening.

 

[Ezana]

Here's a solid explanation from St. Augustine:

The garment that is required is in the heart, not on the body, for if it had been put on externally, it could not have been concealed even from the servants. But what is the wedding garment that must be put on? We learn it from these words, “May your priests be clothed with righteousness” (Ps 132:9). It is of that garment of righteousness that the apostle speaks when he says, “Because when we are clothed, we are not found naked” (2 Cor 9:3). In this way the unprepared man was discovered by the Lord of the feast, interrogated, bound and thrown out, one from among the many.

He goes on to say:

What is that wedding garment, then? This is the wedding garment: “The goal of this command is charity,” says the apostle, “which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim 1:5). This is the wedding garment. Not charity of any kind whatever—for very often they who are partakers together of an evil conscience seem to love one another. Those who commit robberies together, who love the destructive arts of witchcraft, and who go to the coliseum together and join together in the shout of the chariot race or the wild beast fight—these too in some sense very often may be said to love one another.
But in these is no charity from a pure heart, a good conscience and a faith unfeigned. The wedding garment is charity such as this: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not charity, I have become like a sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal” (1 Cor 13:1). Suppose someone who speaks in tongues comes in and is asked, “How did you get in here without a wedding garment?”
Suppose he answers, “But I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains.” But if he has no charity, he has nothing. Such may be the clothing of those who in fact lack the wedding garment. “Though,” he says, “I have all these and have not (the love of) Christ, I am nothing.” Is then “the gift of prophecy” nothing? Is then “the knowledge of mysteries” nothing? It is not that these are nothing. But “I, if I have them, and have not charity, am nothing” (1 Cor 13:2).

(SERMON 90.4; 90.6)

 

[anna ~ grace]

Here's a solid explanation from St. Augustine:

The garment that is required is in the heart, not on the body, for if it had been put on externally, it could not have been concealed even from the servants. But what is the wedding garment that must be put on? We learn it from these words, “May your priests be clothed with righteousness” (Ps 132:9). It is of that garment of righteousness that the apostle speaks when he says, “Because when we are clothed, we are not found naked” (2 Cor 9:3). In this way the unprepared man was discovered by the Lord of the feast, interrogated, bound and thrown out, one from among the many.

He goes on to say:

What is that wedding garment, then? This is the wedding garment: “The goal of this command is charity,” says the apostle, “which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim 1:5). This is the wedding garment. Not charity of any kind whatever—for very often they who are partakers together of an evil conscience seem to love one another. Those who commit robberies together, who love the destructive arts of witchcraft, and who go to the coliseum together and join together in the shout of the chariot race or the wild beast fight—these too in some sense very often may be said to love one another.
But in these is no charity from a pure heart, a good conscience and a faith unfeigned. The wedding garment is charity such as this: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not charity, I have become like a sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal” (1 Cor 13:1). Suppose someone who speaks in tongues comes in and is asked, “How did you get in here without a wedding garment?”
Suppose he answers, “But I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains.” But if he has no charity, he has nothing. Such may be the clothing of those who in fact lack the wedding garment. “Though,” he says, “I have all these and have not (the love of) Christ, I am nothing.” Is then “the gift of prophecy” nothing? Is then “the knowledge of mysteries” nothing? It is not that these are nothing. But “I, if I have them, and have not charity, am nothing” (1 Cor 13:2).

(SERMON 90.4; 90.6)

Thank you so much, Ezana!

 

[mlepfitjw]

I can mention two things right away. One, The Lord is speaking in parables, which were generally
used when speaking to crowds, where many "were not given for them to know the mysteries
of the kingdom". The disciples were expected to grasp these lessons, but often needed further
explanation later. Most importantly for me though, and this used to be in my signature:
John 6:63. It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak
to you are spirit, and they are life.

Since Messiah has ascended and The Holy Spirit has been given, it is upon us to meditate upon
these lessons as acts of devotion and receive explanations from The Lord that we can apply
personally in serving Him. I believe that the only way we can serve the Lord, and His body, is
to have an anointing for that particular role He is expecting you to perform for the edification of others.
For example, John the Baptist was questioned about his ministry, he answered with Isaiah 40:3, I am
a voice calling out in the wilderness...
Once he baptized the Messiah, he had fulfilled that calling and became a voice in the city who condemned
the king, who promptly imprisoned him and later beheaded him. I am not so sure John was sent by God
to condemn Herod, this Jesus said of His ministry, "I have not come to condemn, but to save". We
must be certain that we are under an anointing! The scripture did not say, "then the Spirit of the Lord
told John, go tell that rascal Herod..." To me this is a powerful lesson for ministry. Others may disagree.
That's cool. I am not trying to be dogmatic, although I am notoriously didactic.
Anyway, glad you stopped by, I always enjoy your messages in response. Have a blessed evening.

Monar, thank you for your response. I would like to say it enjoyable to see your responses as well and one commented you made here, about John and his purpose. They way it seemed when reading is that when our purpose here has been completed that is when we are to leave this earth. Johns depiction of that is very visual in the effect of seeing, doing, and completion, after the baptism of the Lord. Which is in itself profound insight.

 

[RickReads]

Monardo, hey nice scripture here cause I never figured out why the man was tossed outside.

The man had no wedding garment = His Righteousness

Romans 3

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Matthew 22:
11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not
have on a wedding garment.
12 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.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

May have already been covered but,

In the old testament there are passages that speak of wearing virtue like zeal or righteousness - The Holy Spirit helps the bride "put on" what is needed.

Those without the Holy Spirit would not be able to "put on" the garment.

Another clue is from another saying "the children of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

This relates to church kids who were born but not born again.

 

[Tigger45]

Romans 5:17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

 

[Mr. M]

Revelation 3:
1 And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,
These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your works,
that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found
your works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will
not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

 

[HTacianas]

Matthew 22:
11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not
have on a wedding garment.
12 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.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

It's analogous to "wearing your finest". Or in this case, clean clothes. Through baptism we are "washed clean", giving us new clothes to wear. It is then up to us to keep our clothing clean. The same is spoken of in the Revelation:

Rev 3:4 “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

Rev 3:5 “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life..."

Rev 3:18 “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments..."

In the case of the wedding guest, either he had not been baptized, or had sinned after baptism, dirtying his clothes.

 

[Mr. M]

It's analogous to "wearing your finest". Or in this case, clean clothes. Through baptism we are "washed clean", giving us new clothes to wear. It is then up to us to keep our clothing clean. The same is spoken of in the Revelation:

Rev 3:4 “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

Rev 3:5 “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life..."

Rev 3:18 “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments..."

In the case of the wedding guest, either he had not been baptized, or had sinned after baptism, dirtying his clothes.

There is also this:
Galatians 3:27. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
"To put on Christ" denotes being a part of something bigger than ourselves, a part of His body,
which is preparing His Bride. The wedding garment must show that we belong, perhaps?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

There is also this:
Galatians 3:27. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
"To put on Christ" denotes being a part of something bigger than ourselves, a part of His body,
which is preparing His Bride. The wedding garment must show that we belong, perhaps?

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” (Romans 13:14) (KJB).

“Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Romans 13:14) (NIV).

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

The fine linen that the saints wore in following Christ into battle at His second coming is the righteousness of the saints.

“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).

So the wedding garment in Matthew 22 in the Parable of the Wedding Banquet is symbolic of living holy or righteously. For Paul says to be not deceived that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God (See: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). For 1 John 3:10 says,

“In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” (1 John 3:10).

 

[BibleBeliever1611]

Monardo, hey nice scripture here cause I never figured out why the man was tossed outside.

He was tossed out because he came to the wedding as a 'wedding crasher'. He didn't come in as a guest like all the other people did.

The crasher would be like someone who thinks that his good lifestyle is his way to heaven. God will toss him out because Jesus is the real way to heaven (he is the way, the truth and the life). Jesus gives you that wedding garment but only if you enter in through him.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

He was tossed out because he came to the wedding as a 'wedding crasher'. He didn't come in as a guest like all the other people did.

The crasher would be like someone who thinks that his good lifestyle is his way to heaven. God will toss him out because Jesus is the real way to heaven (he is the way, the truth and the life). Jesus gives you that wedding garment but only if you enter in through him.

Come on now. If anyone just checks the Scriptures, they will see that what you say here is not true.
You are just making stuff up by what you feel and think is true out of your own head (Without confirming anything with the Scriptures). If I am wrong, prove your case with the Bible. Romans 13:14 says to put on Jesus Christ (like clothes) and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Revelation 19:8 is talking about this wedding garment and it says it is symbolic of the righteousness of the saints. Not the righteousness of Jesus, but the righteousness of the saints. For Revelation 22:14-15 says this:

“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” (Revelation 22:14-15) (KJB).

 

[Mr. M]

Come on now. If anyone just checks the Scriptures, they will see that what you say here is not true.
You are just making stuff up by what you feel and think is true out of your own head (Without confirming anything with the Scriptures). If I am wrong, prove your case with the Bible. Romans 13:14 says to put on Jesus Christ (like clothes) and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Revelation 19:8 is talking about this wedding garment and it says it is symbolic of the righteousness of the saints. Not the righteousness of Jesus, but the righteousness of the saints. For Revelation 22:14-15 says this:

“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” (Revelation 22:14-15) (KJB).

Maybe I should have included the preceding verse:

Matthew 22:10. So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.

14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Maybe I should have included the preceding verse:

Matthew 22:10. So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.

14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Well said.

“Let grace be shown to the wicked, Yet he will not learn righteousness; In the land of uprightness he will deal unjustly, And will not behold the majesty of the LORD.” (Isaiah 26:10).

“And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” (John 5:29).

 

[1213]

Matthew 22:
11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not
have on a wedding garment.
12 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.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

I think good scripture about this is:

Love doesn't harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law. Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed. The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let's therefore throw off the works of darkness, and let's put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.
Romans 13:10-14

I think the clothes are the righteous works that tell that person is righteous.

 

[BibleBeliever1611]

Come on now. If anyone just checks the Scriptures, they will see that what you say here is not true.
You are just making stuff up by what you feel and think is true out of your own head (Without confirming anything with the Scriptures). If I am wrong, prove your case with the Bible. Romans 13:14 says to put on Jesus Christ (like clothes) and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Revelation 19:8 is talking about this wedding garment and it says it is symbolic of the righteousness of the saints. Not the righteousness of Jesus, but the righteousness of the saints. For Revelation 22:14-15 says this:

“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” (Revelation 22:14-15) (KJB).

Even the most famous verse of the whole Bible proves that justification is only through Jesus, John 3:16. Whosoever believes in Jesus is going to heaven.

Here's another:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." - John 6:47

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Even the most famous verse of the whole Bible proves that justification is only through Jesus, John 3:16. Whosoever believes in Jesus is going to heaven.

And you got to keep reading.

John 3:20 says, “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”

So believing in Jesus is more than just believing in the person of Jesus, but it is believing everything He taught, said, and did, too.

Here's another:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." - John 6:47

Everlasting life is not a super power or a magic wish that is granted to you like from a genie.

Jesus is the source of everlasting life.
For Scripture says Jesus alone has immortality.

14 “...our Lord Jesus Christ:
16 Who only hath immortality,...”
(1 Timothy 6:14) (1 Timothy 6:16).​

So in order to have immortality or eternal life, we must abide in the Son. For Scripture says:

“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John 5:12).

So we have to have the Son in order to have life (i.e. eternal life). For he (the person) who does not have the Son does not have life.

What is one way we can have an assurance in knowing the Son or the Lord?

1 John 2:3 says,

“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.”​

So in order to have life by having the Son, we have to keep His commandments.

1 John 2:4 says,

“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

​