New International VersionThe rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them.
New Living TranslationOthers seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them.
English Standard Versionwhile the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.
Berean Standard BibleThe rest seized his servants, mistreated them, and killed them.
Berean Literal BibleAnd the rest, having laid hold of his servants, mistreated and killed them.
King James BibleAnd the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
New King James VersionAnd the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them.
New American Standard Bibleand the rest seized his slaves and treated them abusively, and then killed them.
NASB 1995and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them.
NASB 1977and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them.
Legacy Standard Bibleand the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them.
Amplified BibleThe rest [of the invited guests] seized his servants and mistreated them [insulting and humiliating them] and killed them.
Christian Standard Biblewhile the rest seized his servants, mistreated them, and killed them.
Holman Christian Standard BibleAnd the others seized his slaves, treated them outrageously and killed them.
American Standard Versionand the rest laid hold on his servants, and treated them shamefully, and killed them.
Contemporary English VersionOthers grabbed the servants, then beat them up and killed them.
English Revised Versionand the rest laid hold on his servants, and entreated them shamefully, and killed them.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThe rest grabbed the king's servants, mistreated them, and then killed them.
Good News Translationwhile others grabbed the servants, beat them, and killed them.
International Standard VersionThe rest grabbed the king's servants, treated them brutally, and then killed them.
NET BibleThe rest seized his slaves, insolently mistreated them, and killed them.
New Heart English Bibleand the rest grabbed his servants, and treated them shamefully, and killed them.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd the remnant took his servants, and treated them spitefully, and slew them.
Weymouth New Testamentand the rest seized the king's servants, maltreated them, and murdered them. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe rest seized his servants, mistreated them, and killed them.
World English Bibleand the rest grabbed his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand the rest, having laid hold on his servants, mistreated and slew [them].
Berean Literal BibleAnd the rest, having laid hold of his servants, mistreated and killed them.
Young's Literal Translation and the rest, having laid hold on his servants, did insult and slay them.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd the rest, having seized his servants, were insolent, and killed them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the rest laid hands on his servants, and having treated them contumeliously, put them to death.
Catholic Public Domain VersionYet truly, the rest took hold of his servants and, having treated them with contempt, killed them.
New American BibleThe rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them.
New Revised Standard Versionwhile the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the rest seized his servants and insulted them, and killed them.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishBut the rest seized, abused and killed his servants. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd the rest laid hold of his servants, and abused them, and killed them.
Godbey New Testament
but the rest, taking his servants, insulted, and slew them.
Haweis New Testament
And the rest seizing his servants, insulted and slew them.
Mace New Testament
others seiz'd his servants, outrageously abused them, and slew them.
Weymouth New Testament
and the rest seized the king's servants, maltreated them, and murdered them.
Worrell New Testament
and the rest, having laid hold on his servants, maltreated and slewthem.
Worsley New Testament
and others seized his servants, and shamefully abusedthem, and slewthem.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Parable of the Banquet… 5But they paid no attention and went away, one to his field, another to his business. 6Therestseizedhisservants,mistreated them,andkilled them.7The king was enraged, and he sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city.…
Cross References Acts 7:52Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—
Luke 20:10-12At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed. / So he sent another servant, but they beat him and treated him shamefully, sending him away empty-handed. / Then he sent a third, but they wounded him and threw him out.
John 15:18-21If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. / Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. ...
Acts 4:1-3While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, / greatly disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. / They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in custody until the next day.
Acts 5:40-41At this, they yielded to Gamaliel. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them. / The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
1 Thessalonians 2:15who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men,
Hebrews 11:36-37Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. / They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated.
Revelation 11:7When the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will wage war with them, and will overpower and kill them.
2 Chronicles 36:16But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.
Nehemiah 9:26But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies.
Jeremiah 26:20-23Now there was another man prophesying in the name of the LORD, Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim. He prophesied against this city and against this land the same things that Jeremiah did. / King Jehoiakim and all his mighty men and officials heard his words, and the king sought to put him to death. But when Uriah found out about it, he fled in fear and went to Egypt. / Then King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt: Elnathan son of Achbor along with some other men. ...
Jeremiah 44:4-5Yet I sent you all My servants the prophets again and again, saying: ‘Do not do this detestable thing that I hate.’ / But they did not listen or incline their ears; they did not turn from their wickedness or stop burning incense to other gods.
2 Kings 17:13-14Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.” / But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God.
2 Kings 21:10-16And the LORD spoke through His servants the prophets, saying, / “Since Manasseh king of Judah has committed all these abominations, acting more wickedly than the Amorites who preceded him, and with his idols has caused Judah to sin, / this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah that the news will reverberate in the ears of all who hear it. ...
2 Chronicles 24:20-21Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood up before the people and said to them, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has forsaken you.’” / But they conspired against Zechariah, and by order of the king, they stoned him in the courtyard of the house of the LORD.
Treasury of Scripture And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. the remnant. Matthew 5:10-12 Blessedare they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… Matthew 10:12-18,22-25 And when ye come into an house, salute it… Matthew 21:35-39 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another… Jump to Previous BondmenDeathEntreatedEvilGrabbedHandsHoldIll-TreatedInsultKilledKing'sLaidMaltreatedMistreatedMurderedRemnantRestSeizedServantsShamefullySlavesSlaySlewSpitefullyTreatedViolentJump to Next BondmenDeathEntreatedEvilGrabbedHandsHoldIll-TreatedInsultKilledKing'sLaidMaltreatedMistreatedMurderedRemnantRestSeizedServantsShamefullySlavesSlaySlewSpitefullyTreatedViolentMatthew 22 1.The parable of the marriage of the king's son.9.The vocation of the Gentiles.12.The punishment of him who lacked a wedding garment.15.Tribute ought to be paid to Caesar.23.Jesus confutes the Sadducees for the resurrection;34.answers which is the first and great commandment;41.and puzzles the Pharisees by a question about the Messiah.The rest seized his servantsThis phrase highlights the rejection and hostility faced by God's messengers. In the context of the parable, the servants represent the prophets and messengers sent by God to Israel. Historically, Israel often rejected and persecuted prophets, as seen with figures like Jeremiah and Elijah. This reflects a broader biblical theme of resistance to divine messages, as seen in Acts 7:52, where Stephen accuses the Jewish leaders of persecuting the prophets. mistreated them
The mistreatment of the servants symbolizes the harsh treatment and suffering endured by God's messengers. This aligns with the experiences of many prophets who faced ridicule, imprisonment, and violence. The cultural context of the time often involved severe consequences for those who challenged religious or political authorities, as seen in the treatment of John the Baptist. This mistreatment foreshadows the suffering of Jesus and His followers, as He warned inJohn 15:20 that His disciples would face persecution. and killed them
The killing of the servants underscores the ultimate rejection and violence against God's representatives. This reflects the historical reality of prophets like Zechariah, who was stoned to death, and anticipates the crucifixion of Jesus. It also connects to the broader biblical narrative of martyrdom, as seen inHebrews 11:37, which recounts the deaths of many faithful witnesses. This phrase serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of discipleship and the world's opposition to God's kingdom. Persons / Places / Events 1. The KingRepresents God the Father, who is preparing a wedding banquet for His Son, symbolizing the kingdom of heaven. 2. The ServantsThese are the prophets and messengers sent by God to call people to repentance and invite them into His kingdom. 3. The Invited GuestsInitially, these are the Jewish people who were the first to receive God's invitation through the covenant. 4. The MurderersThose who reject God's messengers and, in this context, are responsible for persecuting and killing the prophets. 5. The Wedding BanquetSymbolizes the kingdom of heaven and the ultimate union of Christ with His Church. Teaching Points Rejection of God's InvitationThe parable illustrates the grave consequences of rejecting God's call. We must be vigilant not to ignore or dismiss His invitations in our lives. Persecution of the FaithfulThe murder of the servants serves as a reminder of the persecution faced by those who faithfully deliver God's message. We should be prepared to stand firm in our faith, even in the face of opposition. God's Patience and JusticeWhile God is patient and extends His invitation repeatedly, there is a limit to His patience. Eventually, justice will be served to those who reject Him. Universal InvitationThe initial rejection by the invited guests opens the door for others to be invited, symbolizing the extension of God's grace to the Gentiles. We are called to share the gospel with all people. Self-ExaminationWe must examine our own responses to God's invitations. Are we accepting and preparing for the kingdom, or are we distracted by worldly concerns? Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Matthew 22:6?
2.How does Matthew 22:6 illustrate the rejection of God's invitation today?
3.What actions in Matthew 22:6 reflect hostility towards God's messengers?
4.How can we ensure we honor God's invitation, unlike Matthew 22:6?
5.What Old Testament examples parallel the violence in Matthew 22:6?
6.How should believers respond to rejection when sharing the Gospel, per Matthew 22:6?
7.Why did the king's servants face violence in Matthew 22:6?
8.How does Matthew 22:6 reflect human rejection of divine invitation?
9.What historical context explains the hostility in Matthew 22:6?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 22?
11.Can humans command angels?
12.Matthew 22:2–14: How can a parable that depicts a king using violent punishment align with a loving God?
13.Who will accept the king's wedding invitation?
14.What does 'Many are called, few are chosen' mean?What Does Matthew 22:6 Mean The restJesus has just described invited guests who indifferently “went away, one to his field, another to his business” (v. 5). Now He adds, “The rest….” • This signals a second group among the original invitees—still insiders, still privileged with an invitation. • Their reaction is not passive indifference but active hostility. The shift warns that rejection of God’s call can harden into open rebellion (Hebrews 3:15). •Isaiah 65:2–3 speaks of the Lord spreading out His hands “all day long to a rebellious people” who repay Him with provocation. Matthew’s phrase echoes that very escalation. • Luke’s parallel (Luke 14:18–20) shows varied excuses; here, Matthew exposes the ultimate fruit of those excuses: violence. Spiritual neutrality proves impossible—either we accept the King’s Son or we oppose Him (John 3:19–20).
Seized His servants“The rest seized his servants….” • “Servants” picture God-sent prophets, then Christ’s apostles (Matthew 23:34). • To seize is to lay hands on with the intent to silence. God’s messengers often faced arrest: Jeremiah was put in stocks (Jeremiah 20:1–2); Peter and John were jailed (Acts 4:3). • The point is literal: real men and women were taken captive for speaking God’s truth. At the same time it is prophetic, anticipating what the early church would endure (Acts 12:1–4). • Refusing the King’s invitation inevitably turns against the King’s emissaries (John 15:20).
Mistreated them“…mistreated them….” • The hostility intensifies from seizure to abuse—insults, beatings, ridicule. Jesus forewarned, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you” (Matthew 5:11-12). •Hebrews 11:36 records “mocking and flogging” as common sufferings for God’s witnesses. • Such mistreatment is sin against both the messenger and the Sender (1 Samuel 8:7). • It exposes the depravity of a heart unwilling to repent: rather than heed the warning, the listener attacks the warning-giver (2 Chronicles 24:20-21).
And killed them“…and killed them.” • Rebellion reaches its peak—murder. Many prophets died this way: Zechariah son of Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 24:22); Uriah (Jeremiah 26:20-23). • Jesus laments, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her” (Matthew 23:37). • New-Testament servants shared the same fate: Stephen (Acts 7:59); James the brother of John (Acts 12:2). •Revelation 6:9 pictures martyrs under the altar, confirming the pattern until Christ’s return. • The literal bloodshed underscores the seriousness of rejecting God’s offer: spurning grace does not stay neutral—it wars against God and His own (Philippians 3:18).
summaryMatthew 22:6 reveals the tragic progression of unbelief: indifference becomes hostility; hostility becomes violence; violence becomes murder. The parable records real history—Israel’s treatment of prophets, Christ, and the early church—while warning every generation. Rejecting the King’s invitation inevitably hardens the heart. Receiving it means embracing both the King’s Son and the servants who bear His message. (6) Entreated them spitefully.--The Greek word implies the wanton infliction of outrage. The parable at this stage looks forward as well as backward, and seems to include the sufferings of Christian preachers and martyrs as well as those of the prophets who were sent to Israel. Verse 6. - The remnant. These form the second class of recalcitrant guests. They are actively hostile to the King and his messengers, rejecting them not merely for worldly or interested motives, but from intense hatred to the doctrines which they taught. Such were the scribes and Pharisees, who could not endure to see the Law superseded, and the Gentiles raised to their level; such were the Sadducees, who scoffed at a faith founded on the resurrection, and refused credit to the miraculous with which the gospel was interwoven. Took his servants. The narratives in the Acts give many instances of the seizure and imprisonment of apostles and believers (see Acts 4:3; Acts 9:2; Acts 12:4, etc.). Entreated ( treated) them spitefully (see Acts 5:40; Acts 14:19; Acts 16:23, etc.; 2 Corinthians 11:23-25). Slew them; e.g. Stephen ( Acts 7:58), James ( Acts 12:2). All but one of the apostles died violent deaths at the hands of those who rejected the gospel; and there must have been numbers of martyrs of whom history has preserved no record, though their names are written in heaven, which is far better.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Theοἱ(hoi)Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.restλοιποὶ(loipoi)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3062:Left, left behind, the remainder, the rest, the others. Masculine plural of a derivative of leipo; remaining ones.seizedκρατήσαντες(kratēsantes)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2902:From kratos; to use strength, i.e. Seize or retain.hisαὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.servants,δούλους(doulous)Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1401:(a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.mistreated [them],ὕβρισαν(hybrisan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 5195:To insult, treat with insolence. From hubris; to exercise violence, i.e. Abuse.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.killed [them].ἀπέκτειναν(apekteinan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 615:To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 22:6 And the rest grabbed his servants (Matt. Mat Mt) |
