Matthew 22:6

KJV

And the remnant took his servants, and entreated [them] spitefully, and slew [them].

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} the remnant {G3062} took {G2902} his {G846} servants {G1401}, and entreated them spitefully {G5195}, and {G2532} slew {G615} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

and the rest grabbed his slaves, mistreated them and killed them.

Berean Standard Bible

The rest seized his servants, mistreated them, and killed them.

American Standard Version

and the rest laid hold on his servants, and treated them shamefully, and killed them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 22:6 vividly portrays the extreme hostility of a segment of the initially invited guests in the Parable of the Wedding Feast. Instead of merely refusing the king's gracious invitation, a "remnant" of these invitees actively seized, violently abused, and ultimately murdered the king's messengers. This verse highlights the profound rejection of divine grace and the severe consequences that follow such a defiant and murderous response to God's overtures of salvation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Jesus' Parable of the Wedding Feast, found in [Matthew 22:1-14](/matthew/22-1-14 "Matthew 22:1-14 - The Parable of the Wedding Feast"). This parable immediately follows the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers ([Matthew 21:33-46](/matthew/21-33-46 "Matthew 21:33-46 - The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers")), both of which are addressed to the chief priests and Pharisees who sought to arrest Jesus ([Matthew 21:45-46](/matthew/21-45-46 "Matthew 21:45-46 - The Chief Priests and Pharisees Understand Jesus' Parables")). In the preceding verses ([Matthew 22:1-5](/matthew/22-1-5 "Matthew 22:1-5 - The King's Invitation Rejected")), the king sends out multiple invitations to his son's wedding feast, only to be met with apathy and dismissal from the original guests, who prioritize their daily affairs. Verse 6 marks a dramatic escalation of this rejection, moving from passive indifference to active, malicious violence against the king's emissaries, setting the stage for the king's wrathful response in [Matthew 22:7](/matthew/22-7 "Matthew 22:7 - The King's Wrath").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' parables often drew from familiar cultural elements of ancient Jewish society, such as wedding feasts, which were significant social events requiring elaborate preparations and formal invitations. The king in the parable represents God, and the invited guests primarily represent the nation of Israel, particularly its religious leaders, who had historically been given the first invitation to God's covenant and kingdom. The sending of servants (messengers) to invite guests was a common practice, but the violent rejection and murder of these messengers would have been an unthinkable affront to a monarch's authority and honor. This act would have been perceived as a direct rebellion, warranting severe retribution. The parable's portrayal of violence against messengers resonates with the historical persecution of prophets in Israel's history, a theme frequently lamented in the Old Testament and acknowledged in the New Testament, as seen in [Acts 7:52](/acts/7-52 "Acts 7:52 - Stephen's Accusation of Killing the Prophets").
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 22:6 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Matthew and broader biblical theology. It underscores the theme of **divine invitation and human rejection**, illustrating the profound resistance of humanity, particularly those who were first called, to God's gracious offer of salvation and fellowship. The verse highlights the **persecution of God's messengers**, reflecting a recurring pattern throughout redemptive history where prophets, apostles, and those who bear God's word are met with hostility, abuse, and even martyrdom. This violent response reveals the depth of **human rebellion and spiritual blindness**, demonstrating that the rejection of God's authority can escalate from indifference to outright malice. Ultimately, this verse also foreshadows the **consequences of unbelief**, setting the stage for divine judgment that inevitably follows persistent and violent rejection of God's sovereign will and gracious overtures, as further elaborated in [Matthew 22:7](/matthew/22-7 "Matthew 22:7 - The King's Judgment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **remnant (Greek, _loipoí'_):** From G3062, meaning "remaining ones," "residue," or "rest." In this context, it refers to a specific group among the initially invited guests who not only refused the invitation but actively engaged in malicious violence. This "remnant" is distinct from those who merely went about their business, indicating a more extreme and hostile opposition to the king's authority and grace.
* **entreated them spitefully (Greek, _hybrízō'_):** From G5195, meaning "to exercise violence," "abuse," "use despitefully," "reproach," or "entreat shamefully." This word signifies more than just verbal abuse or rudeness; it implies deliberate, arrogant, and insolent mistreatment, often involving physical violence, humiliation, and public dishonor. It denotes an act of profound disrespect and aggression against the king's representatives.
* **slew (Greek, _apokteínō'_):** From G615, meaning "to kill outright" or, figuratively, "to destroy." This word signifies the ultimate act of violence and rejection. The progression from seizing to spiteful treatment to outright murder demonstrates the extreme and unrepentant nature of the "remnant's" hostility towards the king and his gracious invitation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the remnant took his servants":** This clause introduces a specific group of the invited guests, described as "the remnant," who distinguish themselves by their aggressive action. They "took" (Greek, _kratéō_, G2902, to seize or retain) the king's servants, implying an act of apprehending or capturing them, indicating a premeditated and forceful act rather than a spontaneous outburst.
* **"and entreated [them] spitefully":** Following their capture, the servants were subjected to severe abuse. The phrase "entreated them spitefully" uses the Greek word _hybrízō_, signifying not just verbal insult but physical violence, humiliation, and malicious mistreatment. This highlights the depth of their contempt and insolence towards the king and his emissaries.
* **"and slew [them]":** The climax of their hostility is the murder of the servants. The word "slew" (Greek, _apokteínō_) indicates that they were killed outright. This final act of violence demonstrates the ultimate rejection of the king's authority and grace, sealing the fate of the "remnant" and setting the stage for the king's wrathful response.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 22:6 employs several powerful literary devices. **Allegory** is central to the entire parable, where the king represents God, the son represents Jesus, the wedding feast symbolizes the Kingdom of Heaven or salvation, and the servants are God's prophets and messengers. The "remnant" of invited guests allegorically represents those within Israel, particularly the religious leaders, who not only rejected God's invitation but actively persecuted His messengers. The escalation of hostility from initial refusal to violent abuse and then murder is a form of **climax**, building tension and emphasizing the severity of the rejection. The actions of the remnant also serve as a **foreshadowing**, hinting at the persecution that Jesus himself and His future disciples would face, as seen throughout the Gospels and the book of Acts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 22:6 stands as a stark theological statement on the nature of human rebellion against divine grace. It reveals that the rejection of God's gracious invitation to salvation can escalate from mere indifference to active, violent opposition against His messengers. This act of seizing, abusing, and murdering the king's servants is a profound affront to God's sovereignty and love, demonstrating the depth of human depravity and spiritual blindness when confronted with the truth. Theologically, it underscores the cost of discipleship and the reality of persecution for those who bear God's message, a theme consistently woven throughout biblical history. The ultimate consequence of such rejection is divine judgment, which the parable immediately addresses.

* [Matthew 21:35](/matthew/21-35 "Matthew 21:35 - The Wicked Vinedressers Beat Servants")
* [Acts 7:52](/acts/7-52 "Acts 7:52 - Stephen Accuses of Killing the Prophets")
* [Luke 13:34](/luke/13-34 "Luke 13:34 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 22:6 serves as a sobering mirror, inviting us to examine our own hearts regarding God's gracious invitations and the messengers He sends into our lives. While few today may resort to physical violence against those who share the gospel, the spirit of "spiteful treatment" can manifest in various forms: dismissive attitudes, cynical criticism, active opposition to Christian ministries, or even internal resistance to the Holy Spirit's promptings delivered through others. This verse challenges us to consider how we respond to truth, grace, and the calls to repentance and faith. Do we embrace God's invitation with humility and gratitude, or do we, like the "remnant," allow our own priorities, pride, or hostility to lead us to reject and even harm those who bear His message? Our response to God's messengers is, in essence, our response to God Himself.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or others, "spitefully entreat" God's messengers or His message in contemporary contexts?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of the cost of discipleship for those who share the gospel?**
* **What attitudes or priorities in my own life might lead to a rejection of God's gracious invitations?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "remnant" in this verse?**

Answer: The "remnant" (Greek, _loipoí_) in [Matthew 22:6](/matthew/22-6 "Matthew 22:6 - The Remnant's Violence") refers to a specific group among the initially invited guests who went beyond mere refusal or indifference. While others simply ignored the invitation and went about their daily business ([Matthew 22:5](/matthew/22-5 "Matthew 22:5 - Guests Ignore the Invitation")), this "remnant" actively seized, abused, and murdered the king's servants. Theologically, this "remnant" represents those within Israel, particularly the religious leadership, who not only rejected God's covenant and the Messiah but actively persecuted and killed His prophets and later, His Son and His apostles. It highlights a particularly severe and malicious form of rejection, distinct from simple apathy, and sets the stage for the king's decisive judgment against them in [Matthew 22:7](/matthew/22-7 "Matthew 22:7 - The King's Wrath").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 22:6, with its depiction of the violent rejection and murder of the king's servants, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The king's servants, representing God's prophets throughout history, foreshadow the ultimate Messenger—Jesus Himself. Just as the servants were "entreated spitefully" and "slew," so too was Jesus, the Son of God, subjected to unimaginable abuse, humiliation, and ultimately, crucifixion at the hands of those who rejected God's invitation. The very people to whom God's kingdom was first offered, particularly the religious leaders of Israel, became the primary agents of His suffering and death, fulfilling prophecies like [Isaiah 53:3-5](/isaiah/53-3-5 "Isaiah 53:3-5 - The Suffering Servant"). Jesus Himself lamented Jerusalem's pattern of killing prophets ([Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem")), and His own crucifixion stands as the ultimate act of "spiteful entreatment" and being "slew" by a "remnant" of His own people. Yet, in this ultimate rejection, God's greater plan of salvation was accomplished, as Christ's death became the means by which the true "wedding feast" of the Lamb is made available to all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike ([Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7-9 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 15:19

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

John 15:20

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Matthew 10:22

And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Matthew 10:25

It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more [shall they call] them of his household?

Matthew 5:10

Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:12

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 10:12

And when ye come into an house, salute it.