Devine Scripture

Matthew 22:12

What does Matthew 22:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 22:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 22:12 means

The king confronts the man without a wedding garment, questioning his unsuitability. The man's silence—he 'was speechless'—indicates his undeniable culpability and lack of a justifiable excuse. This silence underscores that there is no defense for appearing before God without the required spiritual covering. It accentuates the absolute authority of the king and the man's complete inability to justify his unpreparedness, highlighting the serious repercussions for those who presume upon God's grace without true spiritual readiness.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding-garment? And he was speechless.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding-garment? And he was speechless.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he says to him, Friend, how came you in here not having a guest's robe? And he had nothing to say.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he saith to him, Comrade, how didst thou come in hither, not having clothing of the marriage-feast? and he was speechless.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he saith to him: Friend, how camest thou in hither not having on a wedding garment? But he was silent.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he says to him, [My] friend, how camest thou in here not having on a wedding garment? But he was speechless.

Context

This verse immediately follows the king's discovery of the improperly dressed guest, providing the direct confrontation. The man's silence is a pivotal detail, signifying guilt and lack of excuse, which justifies the king's subsequent actions. This direct interaction between the king and the guest brings the parable to its judgmental climax regarding this individual instance.

v.11But when the king came in to behold the guests, he saw there a man who had not on a wedding-garment:

v.12This passage

v.13Then the king said to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and cast him out into the outer darkness; there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Job 5:16

    So the poor hath hope, And iniquity stoppeth her mouth.

  • Psalms 107:42

    The upright shall see it, and be glad; And all iniquity shall stop her mouth.

  • Matthew 26:50

    And Jesus said unto him, Friend, do that for which thou art come. Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

  • Matthew 20:13

    But he answered and said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a shilling?

  • Acts 5:2

    and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

  • Matthew 5:20

    For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.

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