Matthew 22:6

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Matthew 22:6 (KJV): "And the remnant took his servants, and entreated [them] spitefully, and slew [them]."

Context

This verse is part of the Parable of the Wedding Feast found in Matthew 22:1-14. Jesus tells this story to the chief priests and elders, illustrating the Kingdom of Heaven. A king prepares a great feast for his son's wedding and sends servants to invite guests. The initial invited guests (representing Israel, particularly its leaders) refuse to come. In verses 4-5, the king sends other servants with a renewed invitation, which is also largely ignored as people go about their worldly business. Verse 6 describes a further escalation of hostility by a 'remnant' of these invited guests โ€“ they don't just refuse but actively seize, mistreat, and kill the king's messengers. This reflects Israel's historical pattern of rejecting and persecuting God's prophets and, prophetically, the treatment of Jesus' disciples and apostles.

Key Themes

  • Rejection of God's Invitation: The verse highlights the severe rejection of the king's (God's) gracious invitation to the wedding feast (salvation/the Kingdom).
  • Persecution of Messengers: It vividly portrays the violent mistreatment and murder of the servants (God's prophets, John the Baptist, the apostles, and other messengers) who delivered the invitation.
  • Human Hostility: The actions of the 'remnant' reveal the depth of human hostility and opposition towards God and His will.
  • Consequences of Unbelief: This verse sets the stage for the severe consequences that follow such a violent rejection, described in the subsequent verses.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "entreated [them] spitefully" translates the Greek word hybrizล (แฝ‘ฮฒฯฮฏฮถฯ‰). This word implies more than mere rudeness; it means to treat with insolence, outrage, or violence. It suggests a deliberate, arrogant, and malicious mistreatment, often including physical abuse and humiliation, leading ultimately to their death ("slew them").

Related Scriptures

The violent rejection and killing of the king's servants in this parable mirrors the actions described in the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers (Matthew 21:35-36), where tenants beat and kill the landowner's servants sent to collect fruit. This also recalls the historical pattern of Israel's rejection and killing of God's prophets throughout history, as highlighted by Stephen in Acts. This act of violence against the messengers directly leads to the king's wrath and the destruction of the city mentioned in the following verse: Matthew 22:7.

Practical Application

Matthew 22:6 serves as a stark reminder of the potential human response to God's gracious invitation and His messengers. It underscores the seriousness with which God views the treatment of those He sends to share His message of salvation and reconciliation. While outright violence may be less common in some contexts today, rejecting the gospel message, speaking spitefully against those who share it, or hindering their work can reflect a similar spirit of hostility towards God's will. The verse challenges us to consider how we receive God's message and treat those who deliver it.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
โ† Back