Biblical Reference:
The parable of the man without wedding clothes is found in the Gospel of Matthew 22:1-14. This parable is part of a series of teachings by Jesus, often referred to as the Parables of the Kingdom, which illustrate the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Context and Content:
In Matthew 22:1-14, Jesus tells the account of a king who prepares a wedding banquet for his son. The king sends his servants to call those who were invited to the feast, but they refuse to come. After several attempts, including sending more servants and facing the mistreatment and murder of these messengers, the king extends the invitation to anyone found on the streets, both good and bad, filling the wedding hall with guests.

However, when the king enters to see the guests, he notices a man who is not wearing wedding clothes. The king addresses him, saying, "Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?" (Matthew 22:12). The man is speechless, and the king orders his servants to bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The parable concludes with the statement, "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14).

Interpretation and Themes:
The parable of the man without wedding clothes is rich with symbolism and theological significance. The wedding feast represents the Kingdom of Heaven, and the king symbolizes God the Father. The son for whom the banquet is prepared is Jesus Christ. The initial guests who refuse the invitation are often interpreted as the Jewish leaders and people who rejected Jesus as the Messiah.

The invitation extended to those on the streets signifies the opening of the Kingdom to the Gentiles and all who would accept the call to salvation. The wedding clothes are symbolic of the righteousness required to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. In the cultural context of the time, it was customary for the host to provide appropriate garments for guests, suggesting that the man’s lack of wedding clothes was a willful rejection of the king’s provision.

The man without wedding clothes represents those who outwardly respond to the invitation of the Gospel but do not genuinely repent or accept the righteousness of Christ. His speechlessness indicates the absence of any defense or excuse for his condition. The severe consequence of being cast into outer darkness underscores the seriousness of entering the Kingdom unprepared and without the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ.

Theological Implications:
This parable emphasizes the necessity of being clothed in the righteousness of Christ to partake in the Kingdom of Heaven. It highlights the grace of God in extending the invitation to all, regardless of their background, but also the responsibility of individuals to respond appropriately. The imagery of wedding clothes serves as a metaphor for the transformation and sanctification that accompany true faith.

The phrase "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14) suggests the distinction between the general call of the Gospel and the effectual call that results in salvation. It reflects the biblical teaching that while the Gospel invitation is extended to all, only those who are chosen and respond in faith will be part of the eternal Kingdom.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to examine their own lives to ensure they are clothed in the righteousness of Christ, living in a manner worthy of the calling they have received. The parable serves as a warning against complacency and the danger of assuming that mere association with the Christian community is sufficient for salvation. It calls for a genuine, personal commitment to Christ and a life that reflects His righteousness.