Bible Strands
Matthew 22:11
But when the king came in to see the guests, he spotted a man who was not dressed in wedding clothes.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The king enters the wedding hall to inspect the guests gathered indiscriminately from the streets (v. 10). He singles out one man who lacks wedding clothes.
The words — ἀνακειμένους (anakeimenous), "reclining," places the guests in their banquet posture, grounding the king's inspection within the meal itself.
The thread — Proper clothing before the king recurs in Revelation 3:4 (garments not soiled), Revelation 19:8 (fine linen as righteous acts), and Zechariah 3:3 (filthy garments before the angel).
Why it lands — The invitation was freely extended and the garment was available; the man's silence (v. 12) is the only answer the text records. The verse asks whether a reader can account for their own presence when the king looks.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
Cross-references
- Revelation 3:4 But you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and because they are worthy, they will walk with Me in white.
- Revelation 19:8 She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints.
- Zechariah 3:3 Now Joshua was dressed in filthy garments as he stood before the angel.
- Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- Romans 13:14 Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.
- Ephesians 4:24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
- Colossians 3:10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
- Revelation 16:15 “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains awake and clothed, so that he will not go naked and let his shame be exposed.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.
- Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.