Matthew 21:40

Matthew 21:40 is a pivotal question posed by Jesus in the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen (also known as the Parable of the Tenants). This parable, found in the Synoptic Gospels (Mark 12:9; Luke 20:15), serves as a powerful indictment against the Jewish religious leaders who opposed Jesus.

Context

Immediately after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the cleansing of the temple, Jesus was confronted by the chief priests and elders who questioned His authority. In response, Jesus tells this parable, beginning in Matthew 21:33. The story describes a landowner who plants a vineyard, leases it to husbandmen, and then sends servants (prophets) to collect his produce. The husbandmen repeatedly abuse and kill the servants. Finally, the landowner sends his own son, believing they will respect him, but they conspire to kill him and seize his inheritance. Jesus then asks the very question in verse 40, prompting His listeners to pronounce judgment on the wicked tenants themselves.

Key Themes

• Divine Authority and Stewardship: The "lord of the vineyard" represents God, the rightful owner and sovereign, while the "husbandmen" symbolize the religious leaders of Israel (and by extension, all humanity entrusted with God's blessings). The parable highlights their failure as stewards and their usurpation of divine authority.
• Rejection of God's Messengers and Son: The escalating violence against the servants foreshadows the historical persecution of God's prophets in Israel. The ultimate act of killing the son directly points to the Jewish leaders' impending rejection and crucifixion of Jesus, God's beloved Son. This theme resonates with the "stone which the builders rejected" in Matthew 21:42.
• Consequences of Unbelief and Disobedience: The question "what will he do unto those husbandmen?" forces the listeners to confront the inevitable and severe judgment awaiting those who reject God's gracious overtures and abuse their entrusted responsibilities. This judgment is explicitly stated in Matthew 21:41, where the chief priests and elders unknowingly condemn themselves.
• The Transfer of the Kingdom: The implied answer to the question leads directly to Jesus' declaration in Matthew 21:43 that the kingdom of God would be taken from them and given to a nation producing its fruits.

Linguistic Insights

The term "husbandmen" is from the Greek word geōrgoi (γεωργοί), meaning "farmers" or "cultivators." It emphasizes their role as those entrusted with the care and cultivation of the vineyard, implying a responsibility to produce fruit for the owner. The "lord of the vineyard" (ὁ κύριος τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος - ho kyrios tou ampelōnos) clearly signifies the absolute ownership and ultimate authority of God over His people and creation, a concept deeply rooted in Old Testament vineyard metaphors like Isaiah 5:1-7.

Practical Application

Matthew 21:40 serves as a timeless warning and a call to introspection for all believers. It reminds us:

• Of Our Stewardship: We are all "husbandmen" entrusted with resources, talents, and opportunities by God. We are accountable for how we manage them and whether we produce spiritual fruit (John 15:8).
• The Danger of Rejecting Christ: Just as the husbandmen rejected the son, humanity often rejects Jesus Christ, God's ultimate messenger and Son. The parable underscores the severe consequences of such rejection, urging repentance and faith.
• Accountability for Leadership: The parable was primarily directed at religious leaders, emphasizing their profound responsibility to lead God's people righteously and not to exploit them or God's provisions.
• God's Justice: The "lord of the vineyard" will indeed come to reckon with His tenants. This highlights God's ultimate justice and the certainty of judgment for those who persistently defy His will and reject His Son.