Given their reaction they must all have assumed that you had malicious intentions, which seems to suggest they did not have a fabulous opinion of you anyway. Justified or not, FML.

Sorry.

That was bad conversation starter OP. I do agree that the situation sucks, but you should ask things like that quietly, not so all of your coworkers can hear it, because there can be so many reasons for the spouse not being there - there are just too many bad options

I think you deserve it because of the delivery. You don't just come to someone and ask "no wife today?" because for all you know she might have work, they aren't married or she's dead. Next time, ask the children or your coworker where is their mother.

Bet you wished for Twix.

You didn't know, it wasn't your fault.

Truth be told, you probably are insensitive. Even if he was still married, he likely would have wanted his wife there, and bringing it up really serves no purpose except to remind him that his wife isn't there. At no point in that exchange did you consider how he might feel about the situation, and that is the very definition of insensitive.

u shouldn't be that nosy ... who cares if he brought his wife .. u totally deserve it

Jesus, it sounds like you work with a bunch of self-righteous douches. Divorce happens. Unless she was found blowing the company mascot in the conference room - which you WOULD have heard about - its no big deal.

Hey, not your fault you didn't know