Definition: But when the king heard [thereof], he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 22:7. It’s a really important part of Jesus' teachings about how to treat others. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: Jesus is saying that when he hears about someone hurting or killing another person, he gets angry and takes action. He’s essentially saying, “This is wrong, and I need to stop this.” Let's unpack it word by word: “But when the king heard [thereof]” : This refers to Jesus’s own experience – he was witnessing a violent act. "Thereof" means "that of." So, he was seeing a specific event that caused anger and concern. “he was wroth” : This means Jesus felt intense anger and displeasure. It wasn't just mild annoyance; it was a strong feeling of disapproval. “and he sent forth his armies” : This suggests Jesus is taking a forceful, decisive action to stop the violence. He’s mobilizing resources to deal with the problem. “and destroyed those murderers” : This means Jesus actively took steps to punish those who committed the act of murder. “and burned up their city” : This is the most shocking part. It means Jesus completely destroyed the entire city where the murderers were located, signifying a complete and decisive end to the violence. What it's telling us about Jesus: Jesus isn’t just passively observing the event. He’s actively intervening to right a wrong. He’s showing that he takes responsibility for protecting people and upholding justice. It also suggests that his anger and actions are justified because of what happened. In short, this verse is a powerful message about: Justice: Jesus believes in righting wrongs. Responsibility: We all have a responsibility to protect others from harm. Taking Action: When we see injustice, we need to take steps to stop it. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you some examples of how this principle applies to real-life situations? Discuss the context of this passage within the larger story of Jesus’ teachings?