King James Version

What Does Matthew 22:7 Mean?

Matthew 22:7 in the King James Version says “But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned u...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Matthew 22:7 · KJV

Context

5

But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

6

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

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.

8

Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

9

Go ye therefore into the highways , and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

Read Matthew 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city (ὁ δὲ βασιλεὺς ὠργίσθη, καὶ πέμψας τὰ στρατεύματα αὐτοῦ ἀπώλεσεν τοὺς φονεῖς ἐκείνους καὶ τὴν πόλιν αὐτῶν ἐνέπρησεν)—The ōrgisthē (was angry) reflects divine wrath, not petulant rage but holy, judicial anger against covenant-breaking murder. The strateumata (armies) executing judgment points prophetically to Rome's legions destroying Jerusalem in AD 70.

The burning of tēn polin ('their city'—note the possessive, no longer 'My city') fulfills Jesus's predictions in chapters 23-24. The 40-year gap between Christ's ascension and Jerusalem's fall represents God's patient restraint before final judgment. This verse demonstrates that mercy spurned becomes wrath deserved. The same King who invites to the feast also executes justice on rebels.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus spoke this parable around AD 30; Jerusalem fell in AD 70 when Roman armies under Titus besieged the city, killed over a million Jews, burned the Temple, and left the city in ruins. This fulfilled Jesus's prophecy that 'not one stone would be left upon another' (24:2). The historical judgment became a type of final judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you reconcile God's patient invitation (repeated messengers) with His decisive judgment (armies destroying the city)?
  2. What does it mean that the city is no longer 'the king's city' but 'their city'—when does God give people over to their rebellion?
  3. How does the AD 70 destruction of Jerusalem serve as both historical event and prophetic warning of final judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
ἀκούσας1 of 19

“heard”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

δὲ2 of 19

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

ὁ3 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βασιλεὺς4 of 19

“when the king”

G935

a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)

ὠργίσθη5 of 19

“thereof he was wroth”

G3710

to provoke or enrage, i.e., (passively) become exasperated

καὶ6 of 19

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πέμψας7 of 19

“he sent forth”

G3992

to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ???? (as a stronger form of ????) refers rather to the objective point or <i>term

τὰ8 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

στρατεύματα9 of 19

“armies”

G4753

an armament, i.e., (by implication) a body of troops (more or less extensive or systematic)

αὐτῶν10 of 19

“their”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἀπώλεσεν11 of 19

“and destroyed”

G622

to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively

τοὺς12 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

φονεῖς13 of 19

“murderers”

G5406

a murderer (always of criminal (or at least intentional) homicide; which g0443 does not necessarily imply; while g4607 is a special term for a public

ἐκείνους14 of 19

“those”

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

καὶ15 of 19

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὴν16 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πόλιν17 of 19

“city”

G4172

a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)

αὐτῶν18 of 19

“their”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐνέπρησεν19 of 19

“burned up”

G1714

to enkindle, i.e., set on fire

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 22:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 22:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 19:271 Peter 4:17-18Joel 2:25Luke 21:24Isaiah 13:2-5Daniel 9:26

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