Matthew 22:6
And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
Original Language Analysis
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κρατήσαντες
took
G2902
κρατήσαντες
took
Strong's:
G2902
Word #:
4 of 10
to use strength, i.e., seize or retain (literally or figuratively)
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δούλους
servants
G1401
δούλους
servants
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
6 of 10
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 10
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
Historical Context
The killing of a king's messengers was an act of rebellion punishable by military retaliation. In Israel's history, prophets like Zechariah were murdered in the Temple courts (2 Chronicles 24:20-22), and tradition held that Isaiah was sawn in two. Jesus ministered in a culture that built tombs for dead prophets while rejecting living ones (23:29-31).
Questions for Reflection
- What causes the slide from 'making light' of the gospel to actively opposing those who proclaim it?
- How does the world's treatment of God's messengers reveal its true attitude toward God Himself?
- In what subtle ways might you be 'mistreating' God's Word or those who faithfully teach it?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them (οἱ δὲ λοιποὶ κρατήσαντες τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ ὕβρισαν καὶ ἀπέκτειναν)—The loipoi ('the rest/remnant') escalate from apathy to violence. The verb hubrisān ('treated shamefully/insultingly') appears in Jesus's Passion predictions (Luke 18:32)—the same mistreatment He Himself would receive. Apekteinan ('they killed') fulfills Jesus's prophecy that Jerusalem 'kills the prophets' (23:34-37).
This parallels the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen (21:35-36) where servants are beaten and killed. Historically, this foreshadows the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7), James (Acts 12), and other apostles. The progression is chilling: invitation → indifference → insult → murder. Rejection of grace hardens into persecution.