Matthew 22:7 Meaning and Explanation
“But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The king in anger sends his armies, destroys the murderers, and burns their city.
What Does Matthew 22:7 Mean?
In the parable's stark logic, murdering the king's messengers is rebellion against the king himself, and judgment follows. The detail of a burned city is pointed: Jesus speaks within sight of Jerusalem, whose temple and streets would fall to Roman armies within a generation (Matthew 24:2).
The verse is solemn, not gleeful. The same Lord who tells this parable wept over the city He describes (Luke 19:41-44). Grace refused does not remain neutral; an invitation carries weight precisely because the One who gives it is King. Yet even this warning is itself a mercy -- spoken before the judgment, so that hearers might still come to the feast.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 22:7
What does Matthew 22:7 mean?
The king in anger sends his armies, destroys the murderers, and burns their city.