Matthew 21:40 kjv
When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
Matthew 21:40 nkjv
"Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?"
Matthew 21:40 niv
"Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?"
Matthew 21:40 esv
When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?"
Matthew 21:40 nlt
"When the owner of the vineyard returns," Jesus asked, "what do you think he will do to those farmers?"
Matthew 21 40 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 5:1-7 | My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill... He expected it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. | The core Old Testament parable of God's vineyard (Israel) and its failure to bear fruit. |
| Ps 80:8-19 | You brought a vine out of Egypt... and it filled the land. | Israel metaphorically described as a vine planted by God, emphasizing divine care. |
| Jer 2:21 | Yet I planted you a choice vine... How then have you turned into a degenerate plant...? | Israel's unfaithfulness likened to a choice vine turning corrupt. |
| Mk 12:1-12 | What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. | Parallel account of the parable with similar outcome. |
| Lk 20:9-19 | What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others. | Parallel account, reinforcing the judgment against the unfaithful tenants. |
| Mt 21:41 | They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a wretched death and let out the vineyard to other tenants..." | The chief priests' self-condemning answer to Jesus' question in v. 40. |
| Mt 21:43 | Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruit. | Jesus' direct interpretation of the parable's outcome—transfer of stewardship. |
| Mt 3:10 | Even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down... | John the Baptist's warning of impending judgment on unproductive people. |
| Mt 7:19 | Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. | Jesus' teaching on judging by fruit, reinforcing consequences for lack of production. |
| Lk 13:6-9 | A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard... and he said to the gardener, 'Cut it down...' | Parable of the barren fig tree, illustrating patience before judgment for unfruitfulness. |
| Jn 15:1-2 | I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away... | Jesus defines Himself as the true source of spiritual fruitfulness; implies removal for barrenness. |
| Is 53:3 | He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief... | Prophecy of the Messiah's rejection, fulfilling the son's fate in the parable. |
| Heb 1:1-2 | Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son... | Highlights God's progressive revelation, culminating in His Son, rejected by many. |
| Acts 7:51-53 | You stiff-necked people... Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One... | Stephen's accusation to the Sanhedrin about their fathers' historical pattern of rejecting God's messengers and the Messiah. |
| Lk 12:48 | Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required... | Principle of accountability for stewardship and greater expectation for those with more privilege/knowledge. |
| Rom 2:6 | He will render to each one according to his works... | Divine justice: God repays everyone according to their deeds. |
| Rev 22:12 | "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done." | Jesus' promise of His return for judgment and reward. |
| Deut 32:35 | Vengeance is mine, and recompense... | God's sovereignty in judgment and ultimate retribution. |
| Rom 12:19 | Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." | Reiteration of God's exclusive right and timing of vengeance. |
| Heb 10:30-31 | For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." | Strong warning about the certainty and severity of God's judgment, particularly for unfaithful Israel. |
Matthew 21 verses
Matthew 21 40 Meaning
Matthew 21:40 presents a pivotal rhetorical question asked by Jesus within the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, immediately after detailing the tenants' escalating rejection and murder of the vineyard owner's servants and his own son. This question compels His listeners, the Jewish religious leaders, to confront and articulate the just consequence awaiting those who not only reject but violently abuse God's messengers and His ultimate Son, thus pronouncing judgment upon themselves. It signifies God's certain and righteous intervention and retribution for chronic unfaithfulness and rebellion against His divine authority and trust.
Matthew 21 40 Context
Matthew 21:40 is positioned within Jesus' final days in Jerusalem during what is known as Passion Week. It is a critical part of the Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Matt 21:33-46), delivered in the temple courts following His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt 21:1-11) and the cleansing of the temple (Matt 21:12-17). Immediately preceding this parable, Jesus’ authority is directly challenged by the chief priests and elders (Matt 21:23). In response, Jesus uses a series of parables, including this one, to confront their unbelief, highlight their spiritual blindness, and reveal the severe consequences of their rejection of God's purposes. The parable itself uses a powerful Old Testament metaphor of Israel as a vineyard (from Isa 5:1-7), clearly signifying God's covenant people. The "owner" is God, the "vineyard" represents Israel entrusted to them, the "servants" are the prophets God sent throughout history, and the "son" is Jesus Himself. Jesus' rhetorical question in verse 40 is designed to force these leaders to pronounce judgment on themselves for their long history of rejecting and harming God's messengers, culminating in their imminent rejection and crucifixion of His Son.
Matthew 21 40 Word analysis
When therefore (ὅταν οὖν, hotan oun): This phrase signals a moment of significant transition and logical consequence. Hotan indicates a future, hypothetical but expected event, creating suspense. Oun is a conjunction often translated as "therefore," drawing a conclusion from what has just been presented. Together, they direct the listeners' minds to the inevitable outcome of the tenants' wicked actions, highlighting a critical point of reckoning.
the owner of the vineyard (ὁ κύριος τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος, ho kyrios tou ampelōnos):
- owner (κύριος, kyrios): This term translates as "Lord," "master," or "proprietor." In this parable, Kyrios unequivocally represents God, underscoring His supreme authority, sovereignty, and rightful ownership over creation and His covenant people.
- of the vineyard (τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος, tou ampelōnos): The "vineyard" (ampelōn) is a rich biblical symbol. Primarily drawn from Isa 5:1-7, it metaphorically represents Israel, particularly the nation as God's chosen and cultivated people (Ps 80:8). It signifies God's loving care, His investment in His people, and His expectation of spiritual fruit, righteousness, and justice from them.
comes (ἔλθῃ, elthē): This word denotes an arrival or coming. In the context of the owner, it signifies God's ultimate intervention or visitation for the purpose of judgment, accountability, and the restoration of justice. It carries an eschatological undertone, pointing to a final reckoning and the consummation of divine plans.
what will he do (τί ποιήσει, ti poiēsei): This is a powerful rhetorical question designed to elicit a specific answer. "What will he do?" directly challenges the audience to apply their own understanding of justice to the scenario just described. It places the burden of judgment upon the very individuals who are unknowingly condemning themselves, exposing their moral conscience while forcing their complicity.
to those tenants (τοῖς γεωργοῖς ἐκείνοις, tois geōrgois ekeinois):
- to those tenants (τοῖς γεωργοῖς, tois geōrgois): The "tenants" (geōrgos, meaning farmer, cultivator, husbandman) are the representatives of the spiritual authority in Israel, specifically the chief priests and elders whom Jesus is addressing. They were given the responsibility of stewarding God's vineyard, His people and kingdom principles, but abused their trust by rejecting God's messengers and exploiting the resources for their own benefit.
- those (ἐκείνοις, ekeinois): This demonstrative pronoun serves to emphasize and specifically point out the individuals being addressed. It makes the connection between the wicked tenants in the parable and the chief priests and elders standing before Jesus direct and unmistakable, preventing them from distancing themselves from the indictment.
"the owner of the vineyard comes": This phrase indicates the culmination of the parabolic narrative and introduces the theme of divine accountability. It signifies a decisive, active role of God in seeking justice and ensuring the stewardship of His kingdom, establishing that there will be a day of reckoning for unfaithful leadership.
"what will he do to those tenants?": This group of words encapsulates the rhetorical genius of Jesus. It compels the listeners to pronounce their own verdict on the type of action warranted for such flagrant abuse and murder. By answering, they affirm principles of divine justice which, to their horror, will be applied to them, implicitly condemning their past actions and revealing their ultimate fate as the 'wicked tenants'. It underscores that judgment is a logical and righteous consequence of prolonged rebellion against God's gracious and authoritative dealings.
Matthew 21 40 Bonus section
This rhetorical question served as a profound "test" for the religious leaders, not for information, but for their discernment and willingness to acknowledge the spiritual implications of their own actions and those of their forebears. The very act of asking "what will he do" forces them into the position of righteous judge, albeit one judging a case that is intimately their own. This question further highlights Jesus' authority not just as a teacher but as a prophetic revealer of God's coming judgment. It powerfully foreshadows the shift of the kingdom responsibilities from the unfaithful leadership of Israel to those who would embrace Christ and bear spiritual fruit. The question's implications extend beyond ancient Israel, serving as a perpetual warning against spiritual complacency, exploitation of authority, and the rejection of God's Word and messengers in any generation.
Matthew 21 40 Commentary
Matthew 21:40 is the climactic moment in Jesus' Parable of the Wicked Tenants, serving as a direct, convicting rhetorical question to the chief priests and elders of Israel. Jesus, the master teacher, compels these religious leaders to themselves declare the just fate for those who abuse their God-given trust, reject divine messengers, and ultimately murder the owner's son. The "vineyard owner" represents God, "the vineyard" is Israel/God's kingdom, "the servants" are the prophets historically sent to Israel, and "the son" is Jesus Christ. By posing this question, Jesus skillfully forces them to acknowledge that the only righteous outcome for such egregious betrayal and violence is severe punishment and the transfer of stewardship. Their subsequent answer (Matt 21:41), "He will bring those wretches to a wretched end, and will rent out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him his shares at the harvest time," reveals their unwitting self-condemnation. The question highlights the unwavering truth of God's ultimate justice and serves as a powerful prophecy of the coming judgment upon unfaithful Israel and the subsequent inclusion of others (both Jews and Gentiles) into the kingdom who will bear fruit for God.