And he said to him, “Friend, how did you come in here when you do not have wedding garments?” And he was speechless.
The king’s question, “Friend, how did you come in here,” shows God’s righteous examination, which reveals what is within a person—not to condemn, but to make the truth evident. Not having wedding garments symbolizes the lack of inner readiness, when a person approaches God in the name of faith but does not have repentance of heart and righteousness. His being speechless—that is, his silence—shows that on the day of judgment the sinful person will have no justification before God. This word is a warning that the invitation to the kingdom of God requires not only showing up in response to the invitation, but also being transformed by grace.