Matthew 21:43

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

Therefore, I tell you that the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to the kind of people that will produce its fruit!"

Berean Standard Bible:

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.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Therefore^{{G1223}{G5124}} say I^{G3004} unto you^{G5213},^{G3754} The kingdom^{G932} of God^{G2316} shall be taken^{G142} from^{G575} you^{G5216}, and^{G2532} given^{G1325} to a nation^{G1484} bringing forth^{G4160} the fruits^{G2590} thereof^{G846}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Matthew 21:43

Matthew 21:43 is part of a parable that Jesus is sharing with the religious leaders of Israel, particularly the chief priests and the Pharisees. The verse is set within the broader context of Jesus' ministry in Jerusalem, shortly before His crucifixion. In this parable, Jesus tells of a landowner who leases his vineyard to tenants, who then mistreat and kill the landowner's servants and eventually his son, hoping to seize the inheritance. This narrative is a allegory, with the landowner representing God, the tenants symbolizing the religious leaders of Israel, and the servants and son representing the prophets and Jesus Himself.

The verse speaks to the theme of judgment and the transfer of religious authority. The phrase "The kingdom of God shall be taken from you" indicates a shift in God's plan due to the rejection of His messengers and His son, Jesus Christ. The religious leaders, who were entrusted with the care of God's "vineyard" (a metaphor for the nation of Israel and its spiritual heritage), have failed to produce the expected fruit—that is, they have not lived according to God's will nor have they recognized the coming of the Messiah.

Therefore, Jesus warns that these leaders will lose their privileged position, and the kingdom of God will be given to "a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." This "nation" is interpreted by many as the new spiritual community that Jesus is establishing, composed of those who believe in Him, regardless of their ethnic background. This community, the Church, will be characterized by its faith in Christ and its production of "fruits," which can be understood as a life of faithfulness, obedience, and spiritual fruit such as love, joy, peace, and righteousness.

Historically, this verse reflects the early Christian view that with the coming of Jesus, the focus of God's redemptive plan expanded beyond the ethnic boundaries of Israel to include all people. It also underscores the early Church's understanding of the breaking of the old covenant and the establishment of a new covenant, which is a central theme in the New Testament.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1223
   There are 580 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: διά
   Transliteration: diá
   Pronunciation: dee-ah'
   Description: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) … fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.
   
2. Strong's Number: G5124
   There are 303 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τοῦτο
   Transliteration: toûto
   Pronunciation: too'-to
   Description: neuter singular nominative or accusative case of οὗτος; that thing:--here (-unto), it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same, there(-fore, -unto), this, thus, where(-fore).
   
3. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
4. Strong's Number: G5213
   There are 567 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑμῖν
   Transliteration: hymîn
   Pronunciation: hoo-min'
   Description: irregular dative case of ὑμεῖς; to (with or by) you:--ye, you, your(-selves).
   
5. Strong's Number: G3754
   There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτι
   Transliteration: hóti
   Pronunciation: hot'-ee
   Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
   
6. Strong's Number: G932
   There are 154 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: βασιλεία
   Transliteration: basileía
   Pronunciation: bas-il-i'-ah
   Description: from βασιλεύς; properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively):--kingdom, + reign.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2316
   There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: θεός
   Transliteration: theós
   Pronunciation: theh'-os
   Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
   
8. Strong's Number: G142
   There are 168 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αἴρω
   Transliteration: aírō
   Pronunciation: ah'-ee-ro
   Description: a primary root; to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e. weigh anchor); by Hebraism (compare נָשָׂא) to expiate sin:--away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take (away, up).
   
9. Strong's Number: G575
   There are 1465 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀπό
   Transliteration: apó
   Pronunciation: apo'
   Description: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
   
10. Strong's Number: G5216
    There are 503 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑμῶν
    Transliteration: hymōn
    Pronunciation: hoo-mone'
    Description: genitive case of ὑμεῖς; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).
    
11. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1325
    There are 377 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δίδωμι
    Transliteration: dídōmi
    Pronunciation: did'-o-mee
    Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection):--adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.
    
13. Strong's Number: G1484
    There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔθνος
    Transliteration: éthnos
    Pronunciation: eth'-nos
    Description: probably from ἔθω; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan):--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.
    
14. Strong's Number: G4160
    There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ποιέω
    Transliteration: poiéō
    Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
    Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω.
    
15. Strong's Number: G2590
    There are 56 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καρπός
    Transliteration: karpós
    Pronunciation: kar-pos'
    Description: probably from the base of ἁρπάζω; fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively:--fruit.
    
16. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.