In this passage, cities that are particularly wicked in casting out the prophets are burned. The burning of Zarahemla (v. 3) therefore acquires new meaning. These cities thoroughly and violently rejected the gospel. Their burning fulfills Messianic prophecies of God’s wrath in purging the wicked at his coming: “Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup” (Ps. 11:6). This verse must have been particularly significant for those who survived these events.