Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 22:6

"and the rest laid hold on his servants, and treated them shamefully, and killed them." — Matthew 22:6 (ASV)

The scene turns violent. Some of those invited treat the king’s messengers outrageously. Enraged, the king sends his army, destroys the murderers, and burns their city. In the light of 21:38–41 the violence of those invited and the response by the king are understandable.