Matthew 22:7

But when the king heard [thereof], he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

But {G1161} when the king {G935} heard {G191} thereof, he was wroth {G3710}: and {G2532} he sent forth {G3992} his {G846} armies {G4753}, and destroyed {G622} those {G1565} murderers {G5406}, and {G2532} burned up {G1714} their {G846} city {G4172}.

The king was furious and sent his soldiers, who killed those murderers and burned down their city.

The king was enraged, and he sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city.

But the king was wroth; and he sent his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.

Commentary

Context

Matthew 22:7 is a pivotal verse within Jesus's Parable of the Wedding Feast, found in Matthew 22:1-14. Jesus tells this parable to the chief priests and Pharisees, who had challenged His authority. The parable describes a king (representing God) who prepares a magnificent wedding feast for his son (representing Jesus Christ). He sends his servants (prophets and later disciples) to invite guests (the nation of Israel, particularly its religious leaders), but they refuse to come, even mistreating and killing the servants. This verse specifically describes the king's righteous indignation and subsequent punitive action against those who rejected and harmed his messengers, foreshadowing divine judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Wrath: The king's reaction, described as "wroth," highlights God's righteous anger against those who stubbornly reject His gracious invitation and harm His messengers. It underscores the serious consequences of such rebellion.
  • Rejection of God's Invitation: The parable illustrates the persistent refusal of many in Israel, especially the religious elite, to accept God's gracious offer of salvation through His Son. This rejection carries severe repercussions.
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: The phrase "destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city" is widely interpreted as a prophetic allusion to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in A.D. 70. This historical event, occurring decades after Jesus spoke these words, served as a devastating judgment upon the generation that rejected and crucified the Messiah.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse powerfully conveys that God's patience has limits, and persistent disobedience and rejection of His grace will ultimately lead to severe judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "wroth" (from Old English wrath) signifies intense anger or indignation. In this context, it is not a capricious human emotion but a depiction of God's holy and just response to profound rejection and violence. The Greek word behind "wroth" is orgizล (แฝ€ฯฮณฮฏฮถฯ‰), which implies a deep, settled indignation rather than a fleeting outburst. The imagery of sending "armies" and "burning up their city" uses language familiar to the listeners, depicting a king's ultimate punitive power.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a solemn warning and a call to reflection for all. It reminds us that:

  1. God's Invitation is Serious: The Lord extends a gracious invitation to salvation and fellowship, but it must be received with reverence and a willing heart.
  2. Accountability for Rejection: There are serious, eternal consequences for rejecting God's call and mistreating those He sends. This applies to both individuals and nations.
  3. Understanding Divine Justice: While God is merciful and long-suffering, He is also just. This verse reminds us that His justice will ultimately prevail against unrepentant rebellion and sin. It encourages believers to live in obedience and to share the good news of the Kingdom while there is still time.

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

  • Luke 19:27

    But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay [them] before me.

  • Luke 21:24

    And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

  • 1 Peter 4:17

    For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?

  • 1 Peter 4:18

    And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

  • Matthew 21:40

    When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?

  • Matthew 21:41

    They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out [his] vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:16

    Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
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