Question:
Please explain the parable of the king’s son’s marriage in Matthew 22. If Christ is the Bridegroom and the church is the bride, who are the two classes of guests? Some had on the wedding garment, and one didn’t.
Answer:
The marriage portrayed in this parable is not a direct representation of the union of Christ with His church, which is achieved through faith on the part of each believer (Rom. 7:4). Instead, the parable symbolizes the reception of His kingdom by our Lord, where He is depicted as the Bridegroom. The city of the New Jerusalem, symbolizing the entire kingdom, is portrayed as the bride, while the people of God are the guests. Read in this connection Isa. 54:1-5; Gal. 4:26, 27; Isa. 62:1-5; Rev. 21:2, 9, 10. In this context, coming in to see the guests signifies the judgment, where a mere profession of religion will not suffice, and the Lord will cast out all who are not clothed with His righteousness.
