Matthew 21 41

Matthew 21:41 kjv

They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

Matthew 21:41 nkjv

They said to Him, "He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons."

Matthew 21:41 niv

"He will bring those wretches to a wretched end," they replied, "and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time."

Matthew 21:41 esv

They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons."

Matthew 21:41 nlt

The religious leaders replied, "He will put the wicked men to a horrible death and lease the vineyard to others who will give him his share of the crop after each harvest."

Matthew 21 verses

Matthew 21 41 Meaning

The verse Matthew 21:41 records the chief priests and elders' own pronouncement of judgment on the "wicked tenants" of the parable, unwittingly condemning themselves. It signifies the severe consequence for those who reject God's authority and messengers: utter destruction. Furthermore, it foretells the transfer of the stewardship of God's kingdom from unfaithful leaders of Israel to a new group, comprised of both Jews and Gentiles, who will faithfully produce the spiritual fruit expected by God at the appointed times. This response, coming from Jesus' adversaries, highlights their self-condemnation and confirms the divine shift in redemptive history.

Matthew 21 41 Context

Matthew 21:41 occurs within a highly confrontational sequence in Jesus' ministry during his final week in Jerusalem. Following His Triumphal Entry (Mt 21:1-11) and the cleansing of the Temple (Mt 21:12-17), Jesus' authority is directly challenged by the chief priests and elders (Mt 21:23). In response, Jesus poses questions about John the Baptist's authority (Mt 21:24-27) and then tells three parables that challenge the religious leaders: the Parable of the Two Sons (Mt 21:28-32), the Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Mt 21:33-41), and the Parable of the Wedding Feast (Mt 22:1-14). Matthew 21:41 is the culmination of the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, wherein Jesus describes the vineyard owner's patience, the servants' (prophets') persecution, and the son's (Jesus') murder by the tenants (the Jewish religious leaders). The startling twist is that Jesus elicits the judgment upon these wicked tenants directly from the chief priests and elders themselves, thus they pronounce their own doom, even if they initially do not grasp its full implication for themselves (though Mt 21:45 indicates they later understood). This sets the stage for the direct declaration in the very next verse (Mt 21:43) that the Kingdom of God will be taken from them and given to those who will produce its fruit.

Word Analysis

• They answered: This refers to the chief priests and the elders of the people (Mt 21:23). It's crucial that the judgment comes from them, not directly from Jesus at this point in the parable's narrative. This is a moment of profound, unwitting self-condemnation.
• He will bring those wretches: The "He" refers to the vineyard owner (God). "Those wretches" is from the Greek "τοὺς κακοὺς" (tous kakous), meaning "the evil ones" or "the wicked ones." It specifically designates the disobedient and murderous tenants.
• to a wretched end: From the Greek "κακῶς ἀπολέσει" (kakōs apolesei). "Kakōs" is the adverb form of "kakous," meaning "evilly" or "miserably." "Apolesei" means "he will destroy" or "he will cause to perish." The phrase "κακοὺς κακῶς ἀπολέσει" is a powerful Hebraic idiom (common in Greek translation of the Old Testament) involving a play on words, intensifying the idea of destructive judgment. It means "He will miserably destroy the miserable ones" or "He will cause the evil ones to perish evilly." This signifies a deserved and complete annihilation of their authority and role.
• and will rent out the vineyard: From the Greek "ἐκδώσεται τὸν ἀμπελῶνα" (ekdōsetai ton ampelōna). "Ekdōseai" means "he will give it out" or "rent it out." The "vineyard" (ἀμπελῶνα - ampelōna) is a well-established Old Testament metaphor for Israel (Isa 5:1-7; Ps 80:8). In this context, it represents God's people and the stewardship of His Kingdom and covenant.
• to other tenants: From the Greek "ἄλλοις γεωργοῖς" (allois geōrgois). "Allis" means "other" or "different ones." "Geōrgois" refers to "farmers" or "cultivators." This is a key transition point in God's redemptive plan. These "other tenants" are universally understood to represent those, both Jews and Gentiles, who would subsequently respond to God's call, bear fruit, and constitute the new administration of God's Kingdom, particularly through the establishment of the Church (1 Pet 2:9-10).
• who will give him his share of the crop: From the Greek "οἵτινες ἀποδώσουσιν αὐτῷ τοὺς καρποὺς" (hoitines apodōsousin autō tous karpous). "Apodōsousin" means "they will give back" or "pay." "Karpous" refers to "fruits." The "fruit" represents spiritual obedience, righteousness, justice, repentance, faith, and works befitting God's expectations from His people, unlike the unfruitfulness of the wicked tenants (Rom 7:4, Gal 5:22-23).
• at harvest time: From the Greek "ἐν τοῖς καιροῖς αὐτῶν" (en tois kairois autōn). "Kairois" refers to "seasons" or "due times." This indicates that the new tenants will render the fruit at the appropriate and expected times, in contrast to the previous tenants who refused to yield any fruit to the owner's servants at all. It signifies faithful obedience to God's demands for spiritual productivity when He requires it.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "He will bring those wretches to a wretched end": This phrase emphasizes both the identity of the condemned ("wretches") and the severe nature of their deserved punishment ("wretched end"). It's a double emphasis using similar sounding words ("kakous kakōs"), common in Semitic languages for dramatic effect, underscoring the completeness and severity of the judgment on those who defy divine authority and murder the son. This directly foreshadows God's judgment upon Jerusalem and the unfaithful Jewish leadership in AD 70 and beyond.
• "and will rent out the vineyard to other tenants": This marks a decisive shift in stewardship. The "vineyard" represents God's covenant relationship and kingdom. The act of "renting it out" implies a transfer of responsibility from the current, failed guardians to new, effective ones. This refers to the inclusive nature of the new covenant community, which will gather all who are faithful to God, regardless of prior ethnicity, demonstrating God's consistent plan for His people to bear fruit.
• "who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time": This part highlights the positive characteristic of the new tenants: their faithfulness and obedience in producing the "fruit" God desires. The "harvest time" implies a consistent, expected fulfillment of spiritual obligations, contrasting sharply with the rebellion of the former tenants. This emphasizes that access to the Kingdom carries the responsibility to bear spiritual fruit, manifesting righteousness and obedience, a primary concern of Jesus throughout His ministry.

Matthew 21 41 Bonus section

The phrase "κακοὺς κακῶς ἀπολέσει" (kakous kakōs apolesei) is a classic example of polyptoton, a rhetorical device where words derived from the same root are used in close proximity. This not only adds emphasis but also makes the condemnation incredibly stark: the wicked ones will be destroyed in a wicked way. It's a divine echo of poetic justice. This also contrasts starkly with God's original intention for Israel to be a fruitful vine, underscoring the tragedy of their unfaithfulness. The passage strongly asserts God's ultimate ownership and sovereignty over His vineyard (the Kingdom), showing that His patience has limits and His purposes will be fulfilled regardless of human rejection. The transition to "other tenants" highlights God's initiative in expanding His saving grace beyond an ethnically defined group to those who demonstrate faith and obedience through "fruit-bearing," shaping the early Christian understanding of the Church's mission and identity.

Matthew 21 41 Commentary

Matthew 21:41 presents a crucial turning point in Jesus' parabolic teaching, particularly as it emanates directly from His adversaries. The chief priests and elders, intending to offer a just sentence for the hypothetical wicked tenants, inadvertently condemn themselves and their generation. The "wretched end" signifies God's devastating judgment, often seen as prophetically fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and the end of the Old Covenant system. The immediate transfer of the "vineyard" – representing God's kingdom and covenant privileges – to "other tenants" underscores God's sovereignty and His unwavering purpose to have a people who bear spiritual fruit. This does not imply an outright repudiation of ethnic Israel, but rather a shift in the primary stewards and a broadening of God's people to include all, both Jew and Gentile, who respond in faith and produce the fruit of righteousness. This verse, therefore, succinctly summarizes the consequences of rejecting God's Son and heralds the birth of a new era of stewardship under the New Covenant, defined by faith and fruitfulness.