Matthew 21:35

And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.

And {G2532} the husbandmen {G1092} took {G2983} his {G846} servants {G1401}, and beat {G1194} one {G3739},{G3303} and {G1161} killed {G615} another {G3739}, and {G1161} stoned {G3036} another {G3739}.

But the tenants seized his servants -- this one they beat up, that one they killed, another they stoned.

But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.

And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.

Context

This verse is a pivotal part of the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers (or Tenants), recounted by Jesus in Matthew 21:33-46. Spoken shortly after Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and His cleansing of the Temple, the parable was directed primarily at the chief priests and elders of the people (Matthew 21:23), who questioned His authority. In this allegorical story, the landowner represents God, the vineyard represents Israel, the vinedressers (or husbandmen) represent the religious leaders, and the servants represent the prophets God sent to His people.

Key Themes

  • Rejection of God's Messengers: The verse vividly portrays the escalating hostility and violence of the vinedressers towards the landowner's servants. This mirrors the long history of Israel's rejection and persecution of God's prophets sent throughout the Old Testament era (e.g., Jeremiah, Elijah, Isaiah).
  • Spiritual Rebellion and Disobedience: The actions of the husbandmen reveal a deep-seated rebellion against the landowner's rightful authority and ownership. They not only refuse to give the landowner his due fruit but actively harm his representatives, illustrating the spiritual disobedience of those entrusted with God's vineyard.
  • Divine Patience and Human Wickedness: Despite the cruel treatment of the first group of servants, the landowner sends more, demonstrating his patience and desire for a rightful outcome. However, the vinedressers' response only intensifies their wickedness, leading to increased violence.

Linguistic Insights

The term "husbandmen" in the KJV translates the Greek word geōrgoi (γεωργοί), which simply means "farmers" or "tillers of the ground." This highlights their role as caretakers and stewards of the vineyard, implying a responsibility to yield fruit and return a portion to the owner. The progression of violence – "beat one, and killed another, and stoned another" – indicates a deliberate and increasing level of malice, reflecting the historical persecution of God's prophets, often including stoning, as seen in the Old Testament.

Related Scriptures

This parable is also found in the parallel accounts of Mark 12:2 and Luke 20:10, demonstrating its significance in Jesus' teachings. The parable then culminates in the landowner sending his son (Matthew 21:37), foreshadowing Christ's own crucifixion at the hands of those who should have recognized and received Him.

Practical Application

Matthew 21:35 serves as a powerful warning against rejecting God's messengers and His truth. It reminds us of the accountability of those entrusted with spiritual responsibility—whether leaders or individual believers—to bear fruit and respect divine authority. For a general audience, it underscores the importance of listening to and receiving God's word, rather than resisting it, and recognizing how our actions towards His representatives reflect our attitude towards Him. The parable's unfolding judgment on the wicked vinedressers also teaches about the consequences of persistent rebellion against God's will.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:15

    And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:

  • 2 Chronicles 36:16

    But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till [there was] no remedy.

  • Hebrews 11:36

    And others had trial of [cruel] mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

  • Hebrews 11:37

    They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

  • Nehemiah 9:26

    Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.

  • Acts 7:52

    Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

  • Matthew 5:12

    Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

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