Topical Bible: Marriage: Garments Provided for Guests At

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In biblical times, marriage was a significant covenantal event, often celebrated with great festivity and symbolism. One of the notable customs in ancient Jewish weddings was the provision of garments for the guests, a practice that carries deep spiritual and theological implications.

The parable of the wedding banquet in Matthew 22:1-14 provides a vivid illustration of this custom. In this parable, Jesus describes a king who prepares a wedding feast for his son. The king sends out his servants to invite guests, but many refuse to come. Eventually, 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 not wearing wedding clothes. The king asks, "Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?" (Matthew 22:12). The man is speechless, and the king orders him to be bound and cast out.

This parable highlights the importance of wearing the appropriate garments provided by the host. In the cultural context of the time, it was customary for the host to provide special garments for the guests, symbolizing honor, respect, and readiness to participate in the celebration. The refusal or neglect to wear these garments was seen as a grave insult to the host.

From a theological perspective, the wedding garments represent the righteousness and holiness required to enter the kingdom of heaven. Isaiah 61:10 echoes this imagery: "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." The garments signify the righteousness that believers receive through faith in Christ, a righteousness not of their own but granted by God's grace.

Revelation 19:7-8 further reinforces this symbolism: "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." The fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints, underscoring the idea that believers are clothed in righteousness as they prepare for the ultimate wedding feast with Christ, the Bridegroom.

In summary, the provision of garments for guests at a marriage feast in biblical times serves as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual preparation required for entering into a covenant relationship with God. It underscores the necessity of being clothed in the righteousness of Christ, a gift provided by the grace of God, enabling believers to partake in the eternal celebration of the Lamb's wedding feast.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 22:12
And he said to him, Friend, how came you in here not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Royal Marriage Feast.
... been fully informed that the feast was provided for their ... for sitting as a guest
at the marriage supper of ... constituting no part of the proper garments of the ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xii the royal marriage feast.htm

1 Cor. v. 1, 2
... found at the marriage in filthy garments, was cast ... and purity the entrance into that
marriage feast requires. ... in the hands of the borrower, provided only the ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xv 1 cor v.htm

Concerning Esther and Mordecai and Haman; and How in the Reign of ...
... for a whole month, on account of this his marriage. ... but that, as he had often before
provided for them ... earth, and putting on her mourning garments, and bidding ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 concerning esther and.htm

John i. 11
... He has made the marriage, He has provided the table, He ... and to the wedding, by our
filthy garments, that is ... It is to honor the marriage and the guests, that He ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily x john i 11.htm

The Wedding Garment
... putting on the garment suitable for the marriage banquet ... on the articles of mourning
which are provided, so at ... insult the king by appearing in his own garments. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the wedding garment.htm

Letter Lxxvii. To Oceanus.
... from women all pretexts for re-marriage so long ... person who was not clothed with garments
supplied by ... their munificence that they have provided additional means ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxxvii to oceanus.htm

Thoughts Upon Our Call and Election.
... Banquets, which Christ our Saviour hath provided for us. ... to a Marriage Feast, yea
to the Marriage Feast of ... his Court, to lay aide their filthy Garments, and to ...
/.../beveridge/private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon our call and.htm

Letter cxxv. To Rusticus.
... of shame and allow themselves in the licence of marriage. ... Let your garments be squalid
to shew that your mind ... those things be which thou hast provided?" [3445]. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxv to rusticus.htm

Chapter xxvi
... by the assumption that Esau after his marriage still dwelt ... door, divested himself
of the borrowed garments and the ... Material wants have also been provided for. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxvi.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... united women to men in legitimate marriage, and showed ... celebrated the king's return
to Memphis provided Sit with ... cut off her hair, rent her garments, and set ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm