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 22:7KJV
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Matthew 22:7 (KJV)

What does Matthew 22:7 mean?

Matthew 22:7 describes the king’s angry response to the news about those who killed his servants: he sends his armies to destroy the murderers and burn their city. The verse shows a decisive and severe reaction to the rejection and violence shown toward the king’s messengers.

In this part of Jesus’ parable, he is speaking to religious leaders in Jerusalem, using the story of a king and a wedding feast to illustrate how people have responded to God’s invitations. The king’s destruction of the murderers and their city highlights the seriousness of rejecting the king’s (God’s) call and mistreating his representatives.

The Greek behind Matthew 22:7

  • βασιλεὺς (basileus, “king”): This word refers to the main authority figure in the parable, representing God. The king’s actions set the tone for the seriousness of the offense.
  • στρατεύματα (strateumata, “armies”): The Greek term means military forces, emphasizing the organized and forceful nature of the king’s response, not just a personal act of anger.
  • φονεῖς (phoneis, “murderers”): This word specifically labels those who killed the servants as murderers, underscoring the gravity of their actions and justifying the king’s severe response.
  • πόλιν (polin, “city”): The Greek word for “city” makes clear that the punishment is not just for individuals but affects the whole community involved in the rejection.

Why Matthew 22:7 matters

  • Matthew 22:7 clarifies that the king’s response is not just personal anger but a formal act of judgment against those who violently rejected his invitation.
  • The verse connects the parable to real historical events, as many readers see a parallel with the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, making the story more than just a moral lesson.
  • This verse emphasizes the seriousness of rejecting God’s call, especially when it is accompanied by hostility toward his messengers, setting up the rest of the parable’s message about invitation and response.

Where else these words appear

“armies” Greek G4753 · used in 7 verses

  • Luke 23:11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
  • Acts 23:27 This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.
  • Revelation 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

“murderers” Greek G5406 · used in 7 verses

  • Acts 3:14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
  • Acts 28:4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
  • Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

“wroth” Greek G3710 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
  • Luke 14:21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
  • Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

“forth” Greek G3992 · used in 80 verses

  • Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
  • John 7:18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
  • Acts 19:31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.