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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλεὺς
when the king
G935
βασιλεὺς
when the king
Strong's:
G935
Word #:
4 of 19
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
ὠργίσθη
thereof he was wroth
G3710
ὠργίσθη
thereof he was wroth
Strong's:
G3710
Word #:
5 of 19
to provoke or enrage, i.e., (passively) become exasperated
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πέμψας
he sent forth
G3992
πέμψας
he sent forth
Strong's:
G3992
Word #:
7 of 19
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
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στρατεύματα
armies
G4753
στρατεύματα
armies
Strong's:
G4753
Word #:
9 of 19
an armament, i.e., (by implication) a body of troops (more or less extensive or systematic)
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 19
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
ἀπώλεσεν
and destroyed
G622
ἀπώλεσεν
and destroyed
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
11 of 19
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φονεῖς
murderers
G5406
φονεῖς
murderers
Strong's:
G5406
Word #:
13 of 19
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
ἐκείνους
those
G1565
ἐκείνους
those
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
14 of 19
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Luke 19:27But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.Luke 21:24And 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.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you reconcile God's patient invitation (repeated messengers) with His decisive judgment (armies destroying the city)?
- 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?
- How does the AD 70 destruction of Jerusalem serve as both historical event and prophetic warning of final judgment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.