What Does Matthew 22:11 Mean in the King James?

And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

Matthew 22:11 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Being inside the feast and being clothed for it are not the same thing.

THE MEANING

You are among those invited, yet the king sees that you are not clothed for the feast. Your presence does not hide the missing garment; the lack remains visible under his gaze.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

Being invited means my presence alone makes me ready for the feast.

THE ROOT

ἔνδυμα

endyma

GROWS FROM

ἐνδύω

endýō

to put on, to clothe

The Greek uses the same word family for “not having on” and “garment.” The lack is more than an absent object: the man is not clothed in what marks the feast.

ALSO GROWS

endýō: to put on, to clothe

ἐνδύω

The verse’s “not having on” is a form of this verb, linking the garment to the act and state of being clothed.

enedýsasthe: you put on

ἐνεδύσασθε

Galatians 3:27 uses this same verb for putting on Christ, extending the clothing image from a garment to what a person takes on.

THE PATTERN

In scripture, the garment makes a person’s standing visible.

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 · KJVGarments and a robe make deliverance and alignment visible as something worn.

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Galatians 3:27 · KJVThe same Greek word family as “garment” describes taking on Christ.

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Revelation 19:8 · KJVThe garment is identified with the righteousness it makes visible.

THE THREAD

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Galatians 3:27 · KJV

“Put on” translates the same Greek root as “garment” here. That shared root lets the wedding clothing echo a person taking on Christ, making the garment a sign of what is worn, not merely what is present.

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