Matthew 21 43

Matthew 21:43 kjv

Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Matthew 21:43 nkjv

"Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.

Matthew 21:43 niv

"Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

Matthew 21:43 esv

Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.

Matthew 21:43 nlt

I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit.

Matthew 21 verses

Matthew 21 43 Meaning

Matthew 21:43 declares a divine judgment and a foundational shift in God's redemptive plan. It signifies that the privilege and responsibility of stewarding God's kingdom, previously entrusted to the nation of Israel and its leaders (the vineyard tenants), would be revoked due to their unfaithfulness and rejection of Jesus, the Messiah. This custodianship would then be transferred to a new "people"—comprising believers from all nations, Jews and Gentiles—who would faithfully produce the spiritual fruit of the kingdom through obedience and righteous living.

Matthew 21 43 Context

Matthew 21:43 is Jesus' concluding declaration after His Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Matthew 21:33-42). In the parable, God is depicted as a landowner who leased His vineyard (Israel) to tenants (the Jewish leaders and the nation) and sent His servants (prophets) to collect fruit, but they were mistreated or killed. Finally, the landowner sent His son (Jesus), whom they also seized and killed. Jesus then asks what the landowner will do to these tenants, and the leaders unknowingly pronounce their own judgment, saying the landowner will destroy those wretches and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him his produce at the proper times. Jesus then cites Psalm 118:22, stating that the "stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief cornerstone." Matthew 21:43 immediately follows, explicitly clarifying the parable's meaning and applying the judgment to the Jewish leaders and nation who had rejected Him. The original audience—the chief priests and elders—understood Jesus was speaking about them (Matthew 21:45). Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled through the inclusion of Gentiles into the church and the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70, symbolizing the end of the Old Covenant order.

Matthew 21 43 Word analysis

• Therefore (διὰ τοῦτο, dia touto): This Greek phrase denotes a logical consequence, "for this reason" or "because of this." It connects Jesus' preceding words—the Parable of the Wicked Tenants and the "stone the builders rejected" prophecy—directly to the coming judgment. It highlights that the removal of the kingdom is a direct outcome of their actions, specifically their rejection of the Son.
• I tell you (λέγω ὑμῖν, legō hymin): Jesus speaks with divine authority, directly addressing the Jewish leaders. This is not a suggestion or opinion but a definitive, prophetic statement from the Son of God.
• The kingdom of God (ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ, hē basileia tou theou): This term refers not to a geographical territory, but to God's sovereign rule, His redemptive reign and sphere of influence. In Matthew, often called "kingdom of heaven" (e.g., Mt 3:2), these terms are synonymous. Here, it specifically denotes the custodianship, privilege, and administration of God's redemptive plan and truth on Earth. It is the visible manifestation of God's saving power.
• will be taken away (ἀρθήσεται, arthēsetai): This is a future passive indicative verb, implying divine agency. God Himself is the one who will perform this act of removal. It signifies not annihilation, but the cessation of a particular privilege and stewardship from a specific group. It indicates a change in administrative structure.
• from you (ἀφ’ ὑμῶν, aph' hymōn): This directly points to the immediate audience—the Jewish chief priests and elders—and by extension, the Jewish nation as a whole in its corporate rejection of Messiah. It means the removal of their status as the primary bearers and representatives of God's covenantal kingdom. This doesn't mean God finished with the Jewish people forever (Rom 11), but their corporate privilege as exclusive administrators was withdrawn due to unbelief.
• and given (καὶ δοθήσεται, kai dothēsetai): Another future passive indicative verb, emphasizing God's active role in conferring this stewardship. It's a gracious transfer, not something earned, but divinely granted.
• to a people (ἔθνει, ethnei): The Greek word ethnos here does not simply mean "Gentiles" as opposed to Jews, but rather "a nation," "a people group." In context, this refers to a new people that God would form—a spiritual "nation" composed of both believing Jews and Gentiles united by faith in Jesus Christ. This "people" is the Church, God's new covenant community (1 Pet 2:9-10). It signifies a breaking down of previous ethnic and legalistic distinctions in God's administrative body.
• who will produce (ποιούσιν, poiousin): This is a present active participle, indicating an ongoing characteristic and purpose of this new "people." It's not just a declaration of future intent, but a description of their defining mark. Their worthiness comes from their fruit-bearing, not from their heritage.
• its fruit (τοὺς καρποὺς αὐτῆς, tous karpous autēs): This refers to the tangible manifestations of the kingdom's values and principles. Just as the vineyard was expected to yield grapes, the kingdom of God expects to yield righteousness, obedience, worship, and Spirit-empowered actions that reflect God's character and advance His purposes (Gal 5:22-23; Phil 1:11). This distinguishes the new people from the unfaithful tenants who failed to produce fruit.

Matthew 21 43 Bonus section

This verse fundamentally redefines the administration of God's kingdom from an ethno-national privilege to a spiritual people defined by their faith and fruitfulness. It provides insight into the "dis-invitation" of certain segments of the population who reject God's gracious call and the "re-invitation" or broadened invitation to others who accept. The prophecy found fulfillment not only in the Gentile mission, but profoundly so in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, which signaled the end of the Old Covenant order's effective spiritual authority and central worship locus. This verse serves as a sober warning: no spiritual heritage or outward religious observance guarantees favor with God if there is an absence of true faith and the "fruit of righteousness" (Phil 1:11). The ultimate point is God's unwavering purpose to have His kingdom's rule and blessing established on earth through a people who reflect His character.

Matthew 21 43 Commentary

Matthew 21:43 stands as a pivotal prophetic declaration by Jesus, serving as a climactic judgment on the Jewish leadership and their rejection of Him as the Messiah. The parable of the vineyard (Matthew 21:33-42) serves as the backdrop, highlighting God's patience, His multiple attempts to gather His fruit, and the severe consequences of His tenants' (Israel's leaders') rebellion and ultimate murder of His Son. "Therefore" directly links their culpability to the ensuing judgment. The removal of "the kingdom of God" from them is not an absolute rejection of every individual Jew, nor a cancellation of God's ultimate promises to ethnic Israel (see Rom 11), but rather a definitive stripping of their exclusive custodial privilege and spiritual leadership over God's redemptive plan. The era of the Old Covenant's administration, largely managed through the Levitical priesthood and temple system, was reaching its divinely ordained close due to its failure to recognize and receive its rightful King.

The transfer "to a people who will produce its fruit" signals a momentous shift in redemptive history. This "people" is the new covenant community, the Church, forged through faith in Jesus Christ, embracing both Jews who believe and all the Gentile nations. Unlike the former stewards, this new people would be characterized by actual fruit-bearing: living lives of righteousness, spreading the Gospel, and embodying the Spirit's transformation. The essence is not ethnic origin but faithful obedience. This verse underscores that privilege within God's plan is always conditional on faithful stewardship and fruitful living, not on inherent status.