Matthew 21:38

KJV

But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} when the husbandmen {G1092} saw {G1492} the son {G5207}, they said {G2036} among {G1722} themselves {G1438}, This {G3778} is {G2076} the heir {G2818}; come {G1205}, let us kill {G615} him {G846}, and {G2532} let us seize {G2722} on his {G846} inheritance {G2817}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, `This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and take his inheritance!'

Berean Standard Bible

But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.’

American Standard Version

But the husbandmen, when they saw the son, said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and take his inheritance.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 21:38 captures the chilling moment in Jesus's Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers when the tenants, upon recognizing the landowner's son, conspire to murder him in order to unlawfully claim his inheritance. This verse reveals the profound spiritual rebellion, covetousness, and ultimate rejection of God's final messenger by those entrusted with His vineyard, foreshadowing the crucifixion of Jesus by the religious authorities of His day.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 21:38 is a pivotal verse within the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, found in [Matthew 21:33-46](/matthew/21-33-46 "Matthew 21:33-46 - The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers"). This parable is strategically placed by Matthew immediately after Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem and His cleansing of the Temple, and directly before His final confrontation with the chief priests and elders. It serves as a direct, thinly veiled indictment of the Jewish religious leadership. Following this parable, Jesus explicitly connects it to the rejection of the "stone the builders rejected" in [Matthew 21:42](/matthew/21-42 "Matthew 21:42 - The Rejected Cornerstone"), indicating His own identity as the Son and the consequences of rejecting Him. The narrative flow demonstrates Jesus's escalating conflict with the authorities, culminating in His passion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The parable draws on common agricultural practices and legal concepts of ancient Israel. Vineyards were a significant part of the economy and often leased to tenants. The sending of servants to collect produce was a standard practice, as was the expectation that the owner's son would command respect and receive what was due. However, the tenants' violent response to the servants and especially to the son reflects a deep-seated rebellion and a desire for illicit gain, which would have been shocking and criminal in that society. This context highlights the audacity of the vinedressers' actions and, by extension, the gravity of the religious leaders' rejection of God's prophets and ultimately His Son. The setting in Jerusalem, a hotbed of religious and political tension, further underscores the imminent clash between Jesus and the established powers.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel and biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Stewardship**, where God (the landowner) has entrusted His people (the vineyard, Israel) to leaders (the vinedressers), who are accountable for their stewardship. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Rejection of God's Messengers**, a recurring motif throughout Israel's history, culminating in the rejection of God's ultimate messenger, His Son. This theme is echoed in passages like [Luke 13:34](/luke/13-34 "Luke 13:34 - Lament over Jerusalem"). Thirdly, it reveals the destructive power of **Covetousness and Usurpation**, as the vinedressers' desire for the inheritance drives their murderous plot, mirroring the religious leaders' desire to maintain their power and control at all costs, even against God's will. Finally, and most profoundly, it points to the **Messianic Identity of Jesus as the Son and Heir**, establishing His unique relationship with God and His rightful claim to all things, a truth foundational to the Gospel's message, as seen in [Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - God Speaks Through His Son").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Husbandmen (Greek, _geōrgós'_):** From *gē* (earth) and *ergon* (work), this term literally means "land-worker" or "farmer." In this parable, it refers to the tenants entrusted with the care and cultivation of the vineyard. The irony is profound: those appointed to nurture and produce fruit for the owner instead become rebellious and destructive, highlighting their failure in stewardship and their usurpation of authority.
* **Heir (Greek, _klēronómos'_):** Derived from *klēros* (lot, inheritance) and *nomos* (law, custom), this word signifies one who receives an inheritance, a successor to an estate or property. Jesus's identification of the son as the "heir" is crucial, unequivocally establishing His unique divine status and rightful claim to God's kingdom and people. This title underscores His supreme authority and the legitimacy of His mission.
* **Inheritance (Greek, _klēronomía'_):** This term denotes an estate, patrimony, or possession received by heirship. In the parable, the "inheritance" represents not just the physical vineyard but the spiritual legacy and covenant relationship God had with Israel. The vinedressers' desire to "seize on his inheritance" reveals their ultimate motive: to wrest control of God's people and promises for their own selfish gain, rejecting God's rightful ownership and authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But when the husbandmen saw the son,"** The conjunction "But" (G1161, *dé*) introduces a stark contrast to the previous rejections of the servants. The crucial element here is recognition: the vinedressers *saw* (G1492, *eídō*, implying not just physical sight but a cognitive understanding) and *knew* the identity of the son. Their subsequent actions are not out of ignorance but deliberate, malicious intent.
* **"they said among themselves,"** This phrase (G2036, *épō*, "said"; G1722, *en*, "among"; G1438, *heautoû*, "themselves") indicates a private conspiracy, a calculated plot hatched internally. It highlights the premeditated nature of their evil scheme, demonstrating a hardened heart and a collective decision to defy the owner.
* **"This is the heir;"** This is the core of their recognition and the catalyst for their plot. They correctly identify the son's unique status and rightful claim. This acknowledgment makes their subsequent actions even more heinous, as they are not acting in ignorance but in full awareness of who they are opposing.
* **"come, let us kill him,"** The imperative "come" (G1205, *deûte*) signals an urgent call to action, a shared resolve to commit murder. The phrase "let us kill him" (G615, *apokteínō*, "to kill outright") reveals their extreme malice and the violent means they intend to employ to achieve their covetous ends.
* **"and let us seize on his inheritance."** This final clause (G2532, *kaí*, "and"; G2722, *katéchō*, "to hold down, seize on"; G2817, *klēronomía*, "inheritance") exposes the ultimate motive behind the murder. Their goal is not merely to avoid paying fruit but to completely usurp ownership and possess what is not rightfully theirs. This reveals a deep-seated greed and a rebellious desire for absolute control.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 21:38 is rich in **Allegory**, where the characters and elements of the parable represent deeper spiritual realities. The landowner is God, the vineyard is Israel, the servants are the prophets, and crucially, the son is Jesus Christ. The vinedressers symbolize the religious leaders of Israel. This allegorical structure allows Jesus to convey profound theological truths about God's relationship with Israel and the impending judgment on its leadership. The verse also employs **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience understands the true identity of the "son" (Jesus Himself) and the tragic historical parallel to His impending crucifixion, even as the vinedressers in the parable remain oblivious to their own allegorical fate. Furthermore, the phrase "let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance" uses **Foreshadowing**, powerfully predicting the actual events of Jesus's passion, where the Jewish authorities would conspire to put Him to death, driven by a desire to maintain their power and control over the "inheritance" of Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 21:38 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's relationship with humanity, the tragic history of human rebellion, and the ultimate revelation of His Son. It underscores God's persistent grace in sending messengers, even His own Son, despite repeated rejection. The vinedressers' plot to murder the heir and seize the inheritance reveals the depths of human sin—covetousness, rebellion, and a desire to usurp divine authority. Theologically, it highlights the unique status of Jesus as the rightful heir to all things, the Son of God, whose rejection by His own people was a culmination of Israel's historical unfaithfulness. This verse sets the stage for the ultimate act of redemption, where the rejected Son becomes the cornerstone of a new spiritual house.

* [Psalm 118:22](/psalm/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone the Builders Rejected"): This psalm, quoted by Jesus immediately after the parable, directly connects the rejected son to the "stone the builders rejected," which becomes the cornerstone, emphasizing God's reversal of human rejection.
* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Speaks Through His Son"): This passage explicitly states that God, who spoke through prophets in the past, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed "heir of all things," echoing the son's identity in the parable.
* [Acts 4:10-11](/acts/4-10-11 "Acts 4:10-11 - Peter's Sermon to the Sanhedrin"): Peter, addressing the very religious leaders who rejected Jesus, boldly declares that Jesus is the "stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner," directly applying the parable's imagery to Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 21:38 serves as a stark mirror, inviting us to examine our own hearts and our response to God's ultimate revelation in Jesus Christ. Do we, like the wicked vinedressers, recognize Jesus's rightful claim as the Son and Heir, or do we subtly or overtly conspire to "seize" control of our own lives, our resources, and our spiritual paths, operating as if they belong to us rather than to God? This verse challenges us to consider our stewardship: are we faithfully cultivating the "vineyard" (our lives, gifts, relationships, resources) for God's glory and fruitfulness, or are we consuming its produce for ourselves, neglecting the owner's rightful share? The parable warns against the insidious danger of spiritual blindness and hardened hearts that, despite clear evidence of God's truth and love, prioritize self-interest, power, and control over submission to divine authority. Our response to Jesus as the Son and Heir determines our eternal destiny and the fruitfulness of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly attempting to "seize" control or "inheritance" that rightfully belongs to God?**
* **How does my daily life demonstrate that I truly recognize Jesus as the "heir" and rightful Lord of all, including my own being?**
* **What "fruit" am I producing in the "vineyard" God has entrusted to me, and is it for His glory or my own gain?**
* **Am I open to the truth of God's Word, or do I find myself resisting or rejecting divine revelation when it challenges my comfort or control?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the vinedressers recognizing the son as "the heir"?**

Answer: The recognition of the son as "the heir" (G2818, *klēronómos*) is profoundly significant because it removes any possibility of ignorance regarding their actions. Their plot to kill him is not a mistake or a misunderstanding, but a deliberate, premeditated act of rebellion against the rightful owner, knowing full well the son's identity and authority. This mirrors the spiritual blindness and hardened hearts of the Jewish religious leaders who, despite witnessing Jesus's miracles and hearing His authoritative teaching, consciously chose to reject and crucify Him. It underscores the malicious intent behind their actions, making their sin all the more grievous.

**What does "seize on his inheritance" mean in the context of the parable?**

Answer: To "seize on his inheritance" (G2817, *klēronomía*) means to unlawfully take possession of what belongs to another, specifically the estate or property designated for the heir. In the parable, this reveals the vinedressers' ultimate motive: not just to avoid paying the landowner his due, but to completely usurp ownership of the vineyard for themselves. Spiritually, this represents the religious leaders' desire to maintain their power, authority, and control over Israel (God's "vineyard") and its spiritual heritage, even if it meant rejecting God's Son and His rightful claim. They sought to possess what was God's for their own selfish gain, demonstrating profound covetousness and rebellion against divine sovereignty.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 21:38 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is indeed the beloved Son and rightful Heir of God. The parable's chilling depiction of the vinedressers' plot directly foreshadows the historical reality of Jesus's crucifixion. The religious leaders of Israel, much like the vinedressers, recognized Jesus's claims to divine authority and messianic identity (though they rejected them), yet conspired to put Him to death, seeking to maintain their own power and perceived "inheritance" over God's people. However, in God's sovereign plan, this act of ultimate rejection became the means of ultimate redemption. The "killing" of the Son, far from ending His claim, paved the way for His resurrection and exaltation. As [Philippians 2:8-9](/philippians/2-8-9 "Philippians 2:8-9 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation") declares, because Jesus humbled Himself even to death on a cross, God highly exalted Him, giving Him the name that is above every name. Thus, the rejected Heir became the reigning King, inheriting all things not through human conspiracy, but through divine appointment and sacrificial love. His death, an act of human wickedness, became the very means by which He secured the true spiritual inheritance for all who believe, fulfilling the promise of [Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise") that if we are Christ's, then we are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise.

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 20:14

But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.

Genesis 37:18

And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.

Genesis 37:20

Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.

Hebrews 1:2

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by [his] Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Mark 12:7

But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.

Mark 12:8

And they took him, and killed [him], and cast [him] out of the vineyard.

Acts 4:27

For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,