Tafsir of Al-Hijr 15:67

This is the commencement of the narrative regarding what transpired from the people upon their arrival at the location of the guests, and the events that ensued, which were previously indicated in a summary fashion. This occurrence chronologically precedes their knowledge of their [the people of Lut’s] impending destruction, as you have heard, and the waw (conjunction) does not necessarily denote sequence.

Ibn Atiyyah said: It is possible that this knowledge [of the guests' presence] and the dialogue that took place between him—peace be upon him—and them was by way of concealing the truth from them, granting them respite, and waiting for their eventual outcome. It is not hidden that the distress and anxiety [felt by Lut] were also consistent with this manner of concealment and granting respite, which a sound nature would naturally recoil from.

The "city" refers to Sodom, and its "people" are those criminal folk. Perhaps referring to them in this manner is to indicate their multitude, while also pointing to the increased heinousness of their actions; for it is appropriate for the people of a city to honor the strangers arriving in their midst and to treat them well. They deviated from this appropriateness—regarding those whom they thought were strangers arriving [in their city]—to the intent of committing an indecency that no one among the worlds had preceded them in.

They came to the house of Lut—peace be upon him—"rejoicing."

[Meaning:] Joyful and happy, when it was said to them: "He—peace be upon him—has guests, beardless youths of the utmost beauty and splendor." So they coveted them—may Allah, the Exalted, slay them.