Keraia
Matthew 21

Matthew 21:35

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

Translations

Modern
But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.
Traditional
And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
Literal
And the farmers, having taken his servants, one they beat, and one they killed, and one they stoned.
Latin
Et agricolæ, apprehensis servis ejus, alium ceciderunt, alium occiderunt, alium vero lapidaverunt.

Interlinear

Greek
English
But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.

Notes

Matthew 21:34–35

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).

Matthew 21:33–46

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).

Matthew 21:28–22:14

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.

Matthew 21:23–22:46

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

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 of Prophets Persecution: The Wicked: Illustrated Pharisees: Hypocrisy of, Reproved by Jesus 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