Matthew 21:34 kjv
And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
Matthew 21:34 nkjv
Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit.
Matthew 21:34 niv
When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.
Matthew 21:34 esv
When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit.
Matthew 21:34 nlt
At the time of the grape harvest, he sent his servants to collect his share of the crop.
Matthew 21 34 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 5:1-7 | My beloved had a vineyard... He looked for grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. | The vineyard as Israel; God's expectation. |
| Ps 80:8-16 | You brought a vine out of Egypt... why have you broken down its walls...? | Israel as God's vine. |
| Jer 2:21 | Yet I planted you a noble vine, a wholly true seed. | Israel as a choice vine gone wild. |
| Jer 7:25-26 | Since the day your fathers came out of the land of Egypt to this day, I have sent you all My servants the prophets... but they did not listen to Me. | God sending prophets continuously. |
| 2 Chr 36:15-16 | The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and again by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place; but they kept deriding the messengers of God. | God's persistent sending of prophets. |
| Neh 9:26 | But they became disobedient and rebelled against You... killed Your prophets. | Israel's rebellion and killing of prophets. |
| Zech 1:4 | Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed. | Call to heed prophets. |
| Mt 23:34 | Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify. | Jesus' own statement on sending prophets. |
| Lk 13:34 | O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! | Lament over rejection of prophets. |
| Acts 7:52 | Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? | Stephen's indictment on rejecting prophets. |
| Heb 11:36-38 | Others experienced mockings and flogging, yes, also chains and imprisonment... They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword. | Persecution endured by God's messengers. |
| 1 Kgs 19:10 | I have been very zealous for the Lord... for the people of Israel have forsaken Your covenant... killed Your prophets. | Elijah's lament about killed prophets. |
| Gen 4:3-7 | Cain brought an offering... but Abel brought... and the Lord had regard for Abel's and for his offering; but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. | Early instance of seeking proper fruit/tribute. |
| Mal 3:8-10 | Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, "How have we robbed You?" In tithes and offerings. | God seeking His due from His people. |
| Heb 13:15 | Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips. | Spiritual fruit expected in new covenant. |
| Rom 7:4 | So that we would bear fruit for God. | Bearing fruit is purpose of new covenant life. |
| Rom 2:4 | Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience...? | God's patience demonstrated. |
| 2 Pet 3:9 | The Lord is not slow about His promise... but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish. | God's divine patience before judgment. |
| Mt 21:37 | Finally he sent his son to them, saying, "They will respect my son." | Continuation of the parable to the son's sending. |
| Mk 12:6 | He had one more to send, a beloved son; he sent him last of all. | Synoptic parallel, highlighting finality. |
| Lk 20:13 | Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my beloved son.' | Synoptic parallel, emphasizing owner's intent. |
Matthew 21 verses
Matthew 21 34 Meaning
Matthew 21:34 depicts the critical juncture in the Parable of the Tenants where the vineyard owner, representing God, sends his initial messengers—his servants, symbolizing the Old Testament prophets—to collect the expected produce, or "fruit," from the tenant farmers, who represent the religious leaders of Israel. This action highlights God's patience, His rightful ownership, and His persistent expectation of a spiritual harvest of righteousness and obedience from His chosen people, whose care was entrusted to these leaders.
Matthew 21 34 Context
Matthew chapter 21 unfolds directly after Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and His cleansing of the Temple. These acts establish Jesus' authoritative claim as the Messiah, provoking the established religious authorities—the chief priests and elders—who then challenge His authority (Mt 21:23). In response, Jesus delivers a series of parables, including the Parable of the Two Sons (Mt 21:28-32) and immediately following, the Parable of the Tenants (Mt 21:33-46), addressed specifically to these questioning leaders (Mt 21:45). This parable allegorizes Israel's historical relationship with God, particularly focusing on the failures of its spiritual leaders, whom God had entrusted with the care of His "vineyard"—His people. Verse 34 describes the beginning of the owner's attempt to collect what is rightfully His, foreshadowing the escalating rejection by the tenants.
Matthew 21 34 Word analysis
When the season for fruit (ὅτε δὲ ἤγγισεν ὁ καιρὸς τῶν καρπῶν - hote de ēggisen ho kairos tōn karpōn):
- season (kairos): This term signifies an appointed, opportune, or specific time for an event to occur, distinct from chronos (general time). It highlights God's predetermined and specific timing for expecting a harvest from Israel. It indicates not a random demand, but an appropriate time when the produce should naturally be available.
- for fruit (tōn karpōn): Refers to the physical produce of the vineyard. Theologically, "fruit" often symbolizes righteous deeds, obedience, and the expected spiritual harvest from God's people (e.g., Gal 5:22-23; Phil 1:11).
- drew near (ēggisen): From engizō, meaning "to approach, be near." This emphasizes the owner's patience until the appointed time had fully arrived, before seeking his due.
he sent (ἀπέστειλεν - apesteilen):
- From apostellō, meaning "to send forth, send away with a specific commission." This is the root for "apostle." It implies purposeful dispatch and authority given to those sent. Here, it refers to God repeatedly sending His spokesmen throughout Israel's history.
his servants (τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ - tous doulous autou):
- servants (doulou): Implies bond-servants or slaves, denoting absolute subservience to the owner. In this allegory, the servants represent the long line of prophets God sent to Israel to call them back to righteousness and collect the "fruit" of their covenant obedience. Their status highlights God's authority and rightful demand.
- his (autou): Emphasizes that these are the owner's own messengers, acting on his behalf, indicating divine origin.
to the tenants (πρὸς τοὺς γεωργούς - pros tous geōrgous):
- tenants (geōrgous): Literally "earth-workers" or "farmers." In this context, they are responsible cultivators of the vineyard entrusted to them, but not the owners. Theologically, these represent the religious leaders of Israel who were entrusted with the stewardship of God's people, His "vineyard."
to get his fruit (λαβεῖν τοὺς καρποὺς αὐτοῦ - labein tous karpous autou):
- to get (labein): The infinitive of lambanō, meaning "to take, receive, acquire." The purpose of the servants' mission was specific and direct: to obtain what rightfully belonged to the owner.
- his fruit (tous karpous autou): Reiterates God's rightful ownership of the harvest. The vineyard (Israel) and its produce (righteousness, obedience, spiritual growth) belong to Him alone.
Matthew 21 34 Bonus section
The seemingly straightforward act of an owner seeking his due "fruit" carries profound theological weight. It speaks to God's inherent right over all creation, His establishment of covenants, and His just expectation of spiritual yield from those He has chosen and blessed. The parable immediately presents a clear picture of God's benevolent provision and His patience, but also His unyielding expectation for faithfulness from His stewards. It lays the groundwork for understanding the subsequent harsh treatment of the servants, setting the stage for the unparalleled rejection of the Son. The focus on "his fruit" also implicitly holds the religious leaders accountable for what Israel failed to produce under their stewardship, underscoring that accountability accompanies privilege.
Matthew 21 34 Commentary
Matthew 21:34 marks the initiation of the owner's benevolent and legitimate claim in the Parable of the Tenants. Having established and maintained the vineyard (Mt 21:33), symbolizing God's meticulous care for Israel, the owner waits for the kairos – the divinely appointed and expected season for the fruit. This reflects God's patient expectation for His people to bear the fruit of righteousness and covenant faithfulness.
The sending of "his servants" underscores God's persistent and consistent outreach to His people through the prophets throughout Old Testament history. These servants are messengers sent by the true owner to collect what is rightfully His. This initial dispatch reveals the owner's reasonableness; he is not arbitrary but seeks a just return from his investment, precisely when it is due. The tension in the parable immediately arises not from the owner's request, but from the tenants' response, which begins the unfolding drama of their refusal and ultimate rebellion. The specific detail of sending servants before the son emphasizes the long history of God's overtures before His final, climactic act in sending His beloved Son, Jesus.