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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when {G3753} the time {G2540} of the fruit {G2590} drew near {G1448}, he sent {G649} his {G846} servants {G1401} to {G4314} the husbandmen {G1092}, that they might receive {G2983} the fruits {G2590} of it {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When harvest-time came, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the crop.

Berean Standard Bible

When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit.

American Standard Version

And when the season of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, to receive his fruits.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 21:34 is a pivotal verse within Jesus' Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, an allegorical narrative delivered during His final week in Jerusalem. This verse marks the moment when the vineyard owner, after patiently cultivating his vineyard, sends his representatives to the tenant farmers to collect the expected harvest. It sets the stage for the escalating rebellion of the tenants, highlighting the owner's rightful expectation of fruit and their subsequent rejection of his authority, foreshadowing Israel's historical rejection of God's prophets and ultimately His Son.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, found in [Matthew 21:33-46](/matthew/21-33-46 "Matthew 21:33-46 - Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers"). Preceding this parable, Jesus had just entered Jerusalem triumphantly ([Matthew 21:1-11](/matthew/21-1-11 "Matthew 21:1-11 - Triumphal Entry")) and cleansed the Temple ([Matthew 21:12-17](/matthew/21-12-17 "Matthew 21:12-17 - Cleansing the Temple")), directly challenging the religious authorities. The chief priests and elders then questioned His authority ([Matthew 21:23](/matthew/21-23 "Matthew 21:23 - Questioning Jesus' Authority")), prompting Jesus to respond with a series of parables—the Parable of the Two Sons ([Matthew 21:28-32](/matthew/21-28-32 "Matthew 21:28-32 - Parable of the Two Sons")) and this parable of the vinedressers—which directly indict their unfaithfulness and impending judgment. Verse 34 specifically details the owner's initial attempt to collect his due, setting the stage for the tenants' escalating violence against his messengers, culminating in the murder of his son.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of a vineyard was deeply resonant in ancient Israel, often symbolizing the nation itself, as seen powerfully in [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard"). Vineyard tenancy was a common economic practice in the Roman world, where landowners would lease their cultivated land to tenant farmers in exchange for a share of the produce. The owner's meticulous preparation of the vineyard (planting, fencing, digging a winepress, building a tower, as described in [Matthew 21:33](/matthew/21-33 "Matthew 21:33 - The Vineyard Owner's Care")) reflects the significant investment and care required. The "time of the fruit" refers to the expected harvest season, a period when the owner would rightfully anticipate receiving his share, which was a legally and culturally recognized obligation of the tenants. The sending of servants was a standard practice for collecting these dues, and their treatment would reflect the tenants' respect or disrespect for the owner's authority.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Matthew's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Expectation and Patience**, illustrating God's patient waiting for His people, Israel, to produce the spiritual "fruit" of righteousness and obedience, a theme echoed in the prophetic tradition (e.g., [Hosea 10:1](/hosea/10-1 "Hosea 10:1 - Israel as a Degenerate Vine")). Secondly, it highlights **God's Persistent Messengers**, as the "servants" symbolize the long line of prophets God sent throughout Israel's history, calling the nation to repentance and accountability, a pattern frequently recounted in the Old Testament (e.g., [2 Chronicles 36:15-16](/2_chronicles/36-15-16 "2 Chronicles 36:15-16 - God's Persistent Sending of Messengers")). Finally, the verse introduces the theme of **Accountability for Stewardship**, as the "husbandmen" were entrusted with a valuable resource and were expected to manage it for the owner's benefit, reflecting the broader biblical principle that all of creation and life itself are a trust from God for which humanity is accountable ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - Humanity's Dominion and Stewardship")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **time (Greek, _kairós'_):** From G2540, this word signifies "an occasion, i.e. set or proper time." Unlike _chronos_ (linear time), _kairos_ denotes a specific, opportune, or appointed moment. In this context, it emphasizes that the harvest was not just any time, but the *appointed* season when fruit was due, highlighting the owner's legitimate expectation and the tenants' subsequent failure to meet their covenant obligations at the proper moment.
* **servants (Greek, _doûlos'_):** From G1401, meaning "a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)." Here, "servants" are bond-servants, implying absolute loyalty and obedience to the owner. In the parable's allegory, these represent the prophets whom God sent to Israel, acting as His direct messengers and representatives, fully subject to His will.
* **husbandmen (Greek, _geōrgós'_):** From G1092, meaning "a land-worker, i.e. farmer." This term precisely identifies the tenants as those entrusted with the cultivation and care of the vineyard. Their role was to work the land and produce fruit, sharing a portion with the owner. Allegorically, these are the religious leaders and, by extension, the nation of Israel, entrusted with God's vineyard (His covenant people) and expected to bear spiritual fruit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the time of the fruit drew near":** This clause establishes the critical juncture in the parable. The "time of the fruit" signifies the harvest season, the expected period for the vineyard to yield its produce. Allegorically, this represents the culmination of God's patient work with Israel, reaching a point where He rightfully anticipated a spiritual harvest of righteousness, obedience, and faithfulness from His chosen people. The phrase "drew near" (G1448, _engízō_) emphasizes the imminence and inevitability of this divinely appointed season of accountability.
* **"he sent his servants to the husbandmen":** This action by the owner is a direct exercise of his rightful authority and a demonstration of his patience. He sends his trusted representatives to collect what is due. In the allegorical sense, this vividly portrays God's consistent and persistent sending of His prophets throughout Israel's history. These prophets, like the servants, were sent to call the nation to repentance, to remind them of their covenant obligations, and to claim the spiritual "fruits" that God expected from His vineyard.
* **"that they might receive the fruits of it.":** This final clause states the clear purpose of the servants' mission: to obtain the rightful share of the harvest. The "fruits" (G2590, _karpós_) here are not merely literal grapes but symbolize the spiritual outcomes—righteousness, justice, obedience, and faithfulness—that God expected from His people. This highlights the principle of divine expectation and the accountability of those entrusted with God's blessings and resources. The owner's desire was not to oppress but to receive what was rightfully his, a just return on his significant investment.

#### Literary Devices
The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers is a masterful **Allegory**, where each element consistently represents a distinct reality. In [Matthew 21:34](/matthew/21-34 "Matthew 21:34 - The Time of Fruit"), the "owner" symbolizes God, the "vineyard" represents Israel (or God's kingdom entrusted to Israel), the "husbandmen" are the religious leaders of Israel (and by extension, the nation itself), and the "servants" are God's prophets. The "fruits" symbolize the spiritual righteousness and obedience God expected. This verse also employs **Symbolism**, using the agricultural setting to convey profound theological truths about God's relationship with His people and their stewardship. The "time of the fruit" is symbolic of a divinely appointed season of accountability and judgment. Furthermore, the sending of the servants and the expectation of fruit serve as **Foreshadowing** of the coming rejection of God's ultimate messenger, His Son, which is detailed later in the parable. The initial, relatively peaceful request for fruit sets up the dramatic escalation of violence that follows, building narrative tension and prophetic significance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 21:34 powerfully encapsulates God's consistent engagement with His people and His unwavering expectation of a spiritual return on His divine investment. The owner's sending of servants to collect fruit reflects God's patient yet persistent pursuit of a righteous response from Israel, a nation He had meticulously cultivated and blessed. This act underscores the covenantal relationship, where divine provision necessitates human responsibility and accountability. The "fruits" represent not merely ritualistic observance but a life transformed by obedience, justice, and love, reflecting the character of God. The verse highlights the long history of God's prophetic witness, where messengers were sent repeatedly to call His people back to faithfulness, setting the stage for the tragic rejection that would ultimately lead to the sending of His Son.

* [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard")
* [Jeremiah 7:25-26](/jeremiah/7-25-26 "Jeremiah 7:25-26 - God Sent Prophets Daily")
* [Luke 13:6-9](/luke/13-6-9 "Luke 13:6-9 - Parable of the Barren Fig Tree")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a profound reminder that God, our divine "landowner," has invested immeasurably in each of us. He has given us life, breath, talents, resources, His Word, and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Just as the vineyard owner expected fruit from his tenants, God expects spiritual fruit from our lives—not as a means to earn salvation, but as the natural outflow of a genuine relationship with Him. This "fruit" encompasses the character of Christ (the [fruit of the Spirit](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")) and good works that glorify Him ([Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - Created for Good Works")). The sending of servants, representing God's persistent calls through His Word, His Spirit, and His people, challenges us to examine our responsiveness. Are we like the wicked husbandmen, resisting God's rightful claims and rejecting His messengers, or are we cultivating the "vineyard" of our lives to yield a bountiful harvest for His glory? Our stewardship of what God has entrusted to us has eternal implications, and this verse calls us to a life of faithful productivity and humble submission to His will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "fruits" does God expect to see in my life today, and am I actively cultivating them?**
* **In what ways might I be resisting God's "servants" (His Word, promptings of the Spirit, or faithful messengers) in my life?**
* **How does my understanding of God's patience and expectation of fruit shape my daily walk and decisions?**
* **Am I truly stewarding the gifts, time, and resources God has given me for His purposes, or am I treating them as solely my own?**

### FAQ
**Who do the "servants" and "husbandmen" represent in this parable?**

Answer: In the allegorical interpretation of this parable, the "servants" represent the long line of prophets God sent to Israel throughout its history. These prophets, from Moses to John the Baptist, were God's messengers, calling His people to repentance, reminding them of their covenant obligations, and seeking the "fruit" of righteousness and obedience. The "husbandmen" (or vinedressers) represent the religious leaders of Israel, particularly those in Jesus' day, and by extension, the nation of Israel itself. They were entrusted with God's "vineyard"—His chosen people and the covenant—and were expected to cultivate it and produce spiritual fruit for Him. Their repeated mistreatment and murder of the servants symbolize Israel's historical rejection and persecution of God's prophets, as lamented by Jesus in [Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem").

**What is the significance of "the time of the fruit drew near"?**

Answer: This phrase signifies the appointed season for harvest, which in the parable's allegory represents a divinely appointed time of accountability and expectation. For Israel, it refers to the culmination of God's patient work with them and His rightful expectation of spiritual fruit—lives lived in obedience and faithfulness to His covenant. The "drawing near" suggests that God's patience, while immense, is not infinite. It points to a critical juncture where a return on His investment is due. In Jesus' immediate context, it foreshadows His own coming as the ultimate "Son" and the final opportunity for Israel to respond, before judgment would inevitably fall upon those who rejected God's persistent calls, as seen in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. This concept of a "set time" for judgment or reckoning is common in biblical prophecy, such as in [Daniel 8:19](/daniel/8-19 "Daniel 8:19 - The Appointed Time of the End").

**What kind of "fruits" is the owner expecting in this parable?**

Answer: While literally referring to grapes, the "fruits" in this parable are symbolic of spiritual outcomes. In the context of Israel, God expected the "fruit" of righteousness, justice, obedience to His laws, and a heart of faithfulness. This is consistent with Old Testament prophetic calls for Israel to bear "fruit" of righteousness, as seen in [Hosea 10:12](/hosea/10-12 "Hosea 10:12 - Sow Righteousness, Reap Mercy"). For believers today, the "fruits" God expects are multi-faceted: the [fruit of the Spirit](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit") (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control), good works that glorify God ([Titus 2:14](/titus/2-14 "Titus 2:14 - Zealous for Good Works")), and the fruit of evangelism and discipleship ([John 15:16](/john/15-16 "John 15:16 - Bearing Lasting Fruit")). It is about living a life that reflects God's character and purpose, demonstrating a genuine relationship with Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 21:34, with its depiction of the owner sending servants to collect fruit, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and mission of Jesus Himself. The "time of the fruit" drawing near culminates with the arrival of the ultimate "Son" (as described in [Matthew 21:37](/matthew/21-37 "Matthew 21:37 - The Sending of the Son")), Jesus Christ. He is God's final and most authoritative messenger, sent not merely to collect fruit, but to embody and enable true fruit-bearing. The parable's tragic narrative of the husbandmen rejecting and murdering the servants, and ultimately the son, powerfully foreshadows Israel's rejection and crucifixion of Jesus, the very cornerstone God had laid ([Matthew 21:42](/matthew/21-42 "Matthew 21:42 - The Stone the Builders Rejected")). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus became the true "vine" ([John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine")), enabling those who abide in Him to bear abundant and lasting spiritual fruit, something the old covenant system struggled to produce. His coming marked the ultimate call for a spiritual harvest, and His sacrifice made it possible for humanity to finally yield the righteousness God desires, fulfilling the divine expectation that had been unmet by the unfaithful "husbandmen" of old. The kingdom of God, therefore, was taken from those who failed to bear fruit and given to a people (the Church) who would produce it ([Matthew 21:43](/matthew/21-43 "Matthew 21:43 - The Kingdom Taken Away")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 20:10

And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent [him] away empty.

Luke 20:19

And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

Zechariah 1:3

Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.

Zechariah 1:6

But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

Isaiah 5:4

What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?

Mark 12:2

And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.

Mark 12:5

And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.