What does Matthew 22:6 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 22:6 describes a grim outcome within a parable Jesus is telling.

In the context of the parable of the wedding feast, this verse falls into a series of events where a king (representing God) invites guests (representing the Israelites) to his son’s wedding feast (symbolizing the Kingdom of Heaven or the Messianic banquet).

Those invited refuse to come.

After a second invitation is also ignored, some of the invited guests go so far as to mistreat and kill the servants sent by the king to deliver the invitation.

The verse conveys the rejection of the prophets (the servants) by the people of Israel, many of whom were mistreated or killed.

Thus, the verse alludes to a deeper level of disdain and rebellion against God’s offers and messengers, not just simple refusal to participate in what God is offering but a violent and hateful rejection.

Historical Context

Matthew 22:1-14, where this verse is found, was written within a first-century Jewish context.

The Gospel of Matthew is widely believed to have been written for a primarily Jewish-Christian audience.

The parable reflects historical tension between Jesus and the religious leaders of the time, particularly the Pharisees and Saducees.

The mistreatment and killing of the king's servants echo the historical mistreatment and killings of the Old Testament prophets by the Israelites, which Jesus and early Christians would have been well aware of.

Theological Insights

The verse can be seen through various theological lenses.

From a Christian perspective, the servants can represent the prophets, apostles, or evangelizers who have been rejected by the people they were sent to. It highlights God's patience and the serious consequences of rejecting His invitation.

Some commentators suggest it acts as a warning to its readers about the dangers of rejecting Jesus as the Messiah, which would have significant repercussions, not just for Israel but for understanding the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles as part of God's plan.

Practical Applications

This verse reminds readers to be receptive to those who bring messages of truth and spiritual import. It can be seen as an admonition against hardness of heart and prompts believers to consider how they receive and respond to God's calling or truth presented to them.

The verse serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of rejecting divine invitations and abusing those who are merely messengers of these invitations.

Cross-References

• Matthew 21:35-36: "And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.

Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise."

• Matthew 23:37: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"
• 2 Chronicles 36:16: "But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy."

Language Study

The key words in Greek from this verse are:

• "Remnant" or "loipoi" (λοιποί) which means the rest or the others.
• "Servants" or "doulos" (δούλους) refers to slaves or bond-servants, indicating the messengers were the king’s property.
• "Entreated spitefully" or "hubrisan" (ὕβρισαν) which means to treat shamefully or with insult.
• "Slew" or "apekteinan" (ἀπέκτειναν) translates to killed or put to death.

Each of these words carries weight in the verse, painting a picture of violent rejection and the gravest of consequences for the refusal of the king’s invitation, painting the rejection in darker, more serious tones.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient times, just like in many cultures today, rejecting an invitation by royalty would have been considered a grave insult.

The response depicted in the verse, involving violence against the king's servants, heightens the sense of outrage and sin.

In many myths and religious stories, messengers from gods or leaders are often met with various outcomes, sometimes with reverence, other times with hostility.

This parable contrasts with other stories where messengers or prophets are revered, emphasizing the extent of the wrongdoing.

Scientific Perspectives

A scientific examination of this verse does not offer much as the verse speaks to historical events and spiritual themes far removed from empiricism.

However, psychology could offer insight into the violent reaction of the invitees as stemming from cognitive dissonance, in-group vs. out-group dynamics, or reaction formation, highlighting the various reasons for rejecting a presented truth or message.

Commentaries

Experts and biblical scholars have varying thoughts on this verse:

• Some suggest the "remnant" who mistreated the servants symbolize the continuous historical line of those in Israel who rejected the prophets.
• Others point toward the verse as a foreshadowing of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, linking it to the larger narrative of divine justice.
• Still others highlight the element of increasing tension in the narrative, asserting the importance of understanding this escalating rejection in the context of the Gospel’s overall message about Jesus’ impending crucifixion and the serious rejection by the Jewish leaders of the time.