A title which the Lord applies to Himself. Mt 9:15; 25:1-10; cf. Joh 3:29. It anticipates the joy of Christ, the marriage-day when He will take to Himself all that for which He suffered so much.
And Jesus said unto them, "Can the wedding children mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The time will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went to meet the bridegroom: five of them were foolish, and five were wise. read more. The foolish took their lamps, but took none oil with them. But the wise took oil with them in their vessels with their lamps also. While the bridegroom tarried, all slumbered and slept. And even at midnight, there was a cry made, 'Behold, the bridegroom cometh, go out against him.' Then all those virgins arose, and prepared their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us of your oil, for our lamps go out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you, but go rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the wedding, and the gate was shut up.
He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: But the friend of the bridegroom which standeth by and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this, my joy, is fulfilled.