Matthew 21:34

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants · Matthew 21:33–46
Read Matthew 21

Translations

Modern
When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit.
Traditional
And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
Literal
And when the season of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the farmers to receive his fruits.
Latin
Cum autem tempus fructuum appropinquasset, misit servos suos ad agricolas, ut acciperent fructus ejus.

Interlinear

Greek
English
When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit.

Notes

He sent his servants: The prophets had spoken God's message to Israel. In this parable, the tenant farmers represent Israel's leaders, whom Jesus blamed for killing God's prophets (Matthew 23:29–37).

In this story, Jesus refers back to Isaiah 5:1–7. The people of Israel who rejected God's Messiah lost the privilege of being God's people. Now, God has called the Christian community, made up of both Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews), to be his people (see Romans 9:4–8; 11:1–12).

Three parables expose the guilt of those who rejected the Messiah and lost their special status as God's chosen people. God now considers only those who accept Jesus as the Messiah as his people.

This section focuses on how Jewish leaders challenged the authority of Jesus. Each time, the wisdom of Jesus revealed their lack of spiritual understanding. These debates also revealed the status of Jesus as the Messiah and the consequences of rejecting him. Sadly, the leaders became more resistant with each encounter and plotted to kill Jesus (Matthew 21:23, 46; 22:15–17, 23, 34, 41).

Events

Parallels

Mark 12:1–12 Luke 20:9–18

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Gospel of Matthew Heir Jesus Christ Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven Parable Vines, Vineyard

Topics

Agriculture or Farming: Produce of, Given As Rent for Land Capital and Labor: Strife Between Church: Backslidden Church: Corruption In Ecclesiasticism: Jewish, to be Overthrown Employee: Character of Unrighteous God: Longsuffering of Husbandman: An Agriculturist Jesus, the Christ: Death of Jesus, the Christ: Parable of The Evil Sharecroppers Jesus, the Christ: Revelations by: His Rejection by the Jews Jesus, the Christ: The Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen (In Jerusalem) Judgment: According to Opportunity and Works Land: Leased Lease of Real Estate Parables: Parables of Christ: Wicked Husbandmen Persecution: The Wicked: Illustrated Pharisees: Hypocrisy of, Reproved by Jesus Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of War and Other Judgments Punishment: According to Deeds: The Parable of the Farmers Renting: Land Reproof: Faithfulness In of the Vineyard Self-Condemnation: General Scriptures Concerning Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful in the Parable of the Vineyard Unfaithfulness: General Scriptures Concerning Vineyard: Leased Vineyard: Parables of Vineyards: Rent of, Frequently Paid by Part of the Fruit