Devine Scripture

Matthew 22:6

What does Matthew 22:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 22:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 22:6 means

The rejection of the king's invitation escalates from mere indifference to outright hostility. Some of the invited guests seize the king's servants, treating them shamefully, and ultimately killing them. This violent act tragically foreshadows the historical persecution and murder of God's prophets and, ultimately, the crucifixion of Jesus Himself by the religious leaders of Israel. It underscores the profound wickedness and spiritual blindness of those who oppose God's gracious overtures, demonstrating their outright rebellion against divine authority.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the rest put violent hands on his servants, and did evil to them, and put them to death.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the rest, having laid hold on his servants, did insult and slay <FI>them<Fi> .

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the rest laid hands on his servants and, having treated them contumeliously, put them to death.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the rest, laying hold of his bondmen, ill-treated and slew [them].

Context

This verse marks a dramatic turning point in the parable, moving from passive rejection to active, violent resistance. This extreme reaction from the invited guests justifies the severe judgment that the king will subsequently bring upon them. It parallels Israel's historical rejection and persecution of God's prophets, further illustrating why judgment eventually came upon Jerusalem.

v.5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise;

v.6This passage

v.7But the king was wroth; and he sent his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 5:10

    Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:14

    For ye, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judæa in Christ Jesus: for ye also suffered the same things of your own countrymen, even as they did of the Jews;

  • Matthew 10:12

    And as ye enter into the house, salute it.

  • John 16:2

    They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God.

  • Acts 5:40

    And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

  • Acts 8:1

    And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 22

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 22.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Matthew 22:6.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary