Matthew 22
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10. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good--that is, without making any distinction between open sinners and the morally correct. The Gospel call fetched in Jews, Samaritans, and outlying heathen alike. Thus far the parable answers to that of "the Great Supper" ( Luke 14:16 , &c.). But the distinguishing feature of our parable is what follows:
11. And when the king came in to see the guests--Solemn expression this, of that omniscient inspection of every professed disciple of the Lord Jesus from age to age, in virtue of which his true character will hereafter be judicially proclaimed!
he saw there a man--This shows that it is the judgment of individuals which is intended in this latter part of the parable: the first part represents rather national judgment.
which had not on a wedding garment--The language here is drawn from the following remarkable passage in Zephaniah 1:7 Zephaniah 1:8 :--"Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God; for the day of the Lord is at hand: for the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice, He hath bid His guests. And it shall come to pass in the day of the Lord's sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel." The custom in the East of presenting festival garments (see Genesis 45:22 , 2 Kings 5:22 ), even though nor clearly proved, Is certainly presupposed here. It undoubtedly means something which they bring not of their own--for how could they have any such dress who were gathered in from the highways indiscriminately?--but which they receive as their appropriate dress. And what can that be but what is meant by "putting on the Lord Jesus," as "THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS?" (See Psalms 45:13 Psalms 45:14 ). Nor could such language be strange to those in whose ears had so long resounded those words of prophetic joy: "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels" ( Isaiah 61:10 ).
12. Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless--being self-condemned.
13. Then said the king to the servants--the angelic ministers of divine vengeance (as in Matthew 13:41 ).
Bind him hand and foot--putting it out of his power to resist.
and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness--So Matthew 8:12 , 25:30 . The expression is emphatic--"the darkness which is outside." To be "outside" at all--or, in the language of Revelation 22:15 , to be "without" the heavenly city, excluded from its joyous nuptials and gladsome festivities--is sad enough of itself, without anything else. But to find themselves not only excluded from the brightness and glory and joy and felicity of the kingdom above, but thrust into a region of "darkness," with all its horrors, this is the dismal retribution here announced, that awaits the unworthy at the great day.
there--in that region and condition.
shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14. For many are called, but few are chosen--So Matthew 19:30 .
Matthew 22:15-40 . ENTANGLING QUESTIONS ABOUT TRIBUTE THE RESURRECTION, AND THE GREAT COMMANDMENT, WITH THE REPLIES. ( = 12:13-34 Luke 20:20-40 ).
Matthew 22:41-46 . CHRIST BAFFLES THE PHARISEES BY A QUESTION ABOUT DAVID AND MESSIAH. ( = 12:35-37 , Luke 20:41-44 ).