Matthew 22:11-15

Mat 22:11 (KJB)
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

The king had now entered the hall to visit with the guests. Normally, the host did not eat with the guests and this was a sign of courtesy in ancient times. As the king greeted his guests, he noticed that there was a man who did not have on a wedding garment. A wedding garment was not some type of fancy clothing but was washed and cleaned clothes. This would symbolize the robe of Christ’s righteousness given to every believer at the moment of salvation. (Isa 61:3 KJV) To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. All the guests had the right clothing except this man. His garments may have been spotted with the works gospel or the religious gospel, both of which cannot save and is nothing more than filthy rags when placed side by side with grace.

Mat 22:12 (KJB)
And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

The term “friend” was a greeting when you would approach someone who you did not know. (Mat 7:23 KJV) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. The king then asks him how he got into the wedding banquet without a wedding garment, that is, by what right do you have coming in here without the proper garment? Maybe this man had come into the banquet because he heard there was good food being served but he did not accept the wedding garment which the king would have provided. So goes the free will of man thinking that he could get into the wedding banquet with his own garments. Many believe God is good but are not the Elect and they will not be allowed into the banquet but will be asked to leave because they were not known by the king. The man could not answer the king just as those on judgment day will be unable to answer King Jesus because they will know that trying to make Heaven by works was an affront to the cross of Christ.

Mat 22:13 (KJB)
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

In ancient times, to be removed and taken away from a meal was a great disgrace but here he is not only being removed, he is being bound and removed. However, the real meaning behind this verse is to be taken from the presence of the king on judgment day and then be cast into eternal hell. (Mat 25:30 KJV) And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mat 22:14 (KJB)
For many are called, but few are chosen.

Called - Called out or summoned
Chosen - Elected or selected

Many in this world are called to hear the Gospel. We see this every Sunday in churches or even at evangelistic meetings. Many are called to hear the Gospel but only a few are chosen out of that group for salvation. The mystery as to why God chooses one and not another is unknown to us. Why would two unbelievers be sitting next to each other in church and when an invitation is given, one sits there and the other gets up to go down front? The only explanation is that one is called and chosen and the other is only called. This verse also excludes the myth of “accepting Christ.” Once God chooses or Elects a person, that person is saved without any effort on their own. This was the whole idea of the wedding garment. A person sits in a free will church and says a few words and right away they think they are saved but the truth will be revealed on Judgment day that saying a few words is actually a work and will not yield the wedding garment but represents the old unwashed garment.

Mat 22:15 (KJB)
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

Entangle - Set a snare, entrap, or ensnare

After the Pharisees heard the latest parables, they now realized that Jesus was aiming His ministry at them. What they wanted to do was somehow snare Jesus into some kind of blasphemy against the law of Moses and especially the sabbath day. They had now met and set out to catch Him in a trap. They had tried in open air dialogue to snare Him but they failed every time so now they had to come up with some type of subtle method to trap Him.

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