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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:33-46

Parable of the vineyard let out to husbandmen . ( Mark 12:1-12 ; Luke 20:9-19 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:33-46

Goodness and severity. In this parable Jesus sets forth the privileges, the sins, and the impending ruin of the Jewish people. It brings before us for our admonition— I. WHAT THE LORD DID FOR HIS PEOPLE . 1 . He became a Father to them. 2 . He gave them a rich inheritance. 3 . He made every provision for their benefit. (a) By the "law of commandments contained in ordinances" he separated his people from the idolatrous nations surrounding. (b) His... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:42

Did ye never read? It is as though Christ said, "Ye have answered rightly. You profess to know the Scriptures well; do you not, then, apprehend that Holy Writ foretells that concerning Messiah and his enemies which you have just announced?" The imagery is changed, but the subject is the same as in the preceding parable. The vineyard is now a building; the husbandmen are the builders; the Son is the stone. In the Scriptures. The quotation is from Psalms 118:22 , Psalms 118:23 —the same... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:42

The history of the Cornerstone. Foundations are not now laid as in olden times. Foundation stones are now mere ornaments. There is no sense in which buildings now rest on them. Memorial stones are taking the place of foundation stones. Probably the figure of the "cornerstone" is taken from the corner of Mount Moriah, which had to be built up from the valley, in order to make a square area for the temple courts. Dean Plumptre says, "In the primary meaning of the psalm, the illustration... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:43

Therefore I say unto you. Having denounced the sin, Christ now enunciates the punishment thereof, in continuation of his parable. Because ye slay the Son, reject the Cornerstone, the vineyard, i.e. the kingdom of God, shall be taken from you. Ye shall no longer be God's peculiar people; your special privileges shall be taken away. A nation. The Christian Church, the spiritual Israel, formed chiefly from the Gentile peoples ( Acts 15:14 ; 1 Peter 2:9 ). The fruits thereof ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:44

Christ proceeds to show the positive and terrible results of such unbelief. Whosoever shall fall ( πεσω Ì ν , hath fallen ) on this stone shall be broken ( συνθλασθη ì σεται , shall be shattered to pieces ) . This may refer to the practice of executing the punishment of stoning by first hurling the culprit from a raised platform on to a rock or stone, and then stoning him to death. The falling on the stone has been explained in more ways than one. Some think that it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:45

Pharisees . They have not been specially mentioned hitherto, but they formed the majority in the Sanhedrin, and are properly here named by the evangelist. He spake of them . They could not fail, especially after Matthew 21:43 , to see the drift of the parables; their own consciences must have made them feel that they themselves were herein signified, their motives and conduct fully discovered. But, as bad men always act, instead of repenting of the evil, they are only exasperated against... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:46

They feared the multitude. They did not dare to lay violent hands on Jesus in the presence of the excited crowd, which would have withstood any such attack at this moment. A Prophet (see Matthew 21:11 ). If they did not recognize him as Messiah, they regarded him as one inspired by God, and having a Divine mission. This accounts for the joyful acquiescence of the Pharisaical party in the offer of Judas, when he proposed to betray his Master in the absence of the multitude read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 21:33-46

The parable of the vineyard - This is also recorded in Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19.Matthew 21:33Hear another parable - See the notes at Matthew 13:3.A certain householder - See the notes at Matthew 20:1.Planted a vineyard - A place for the cultivation of grapes. It is often used to represent the church of God. as a place cultivated and valuable. Judea was favorable to vines, and the figure is frequently used, therefore, in the sacred writers. See Matthew 20:1. It is used here to represent the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 21:42-43

Matthew 21:42-43. Jesus saith unto them Luke says, εμβλεψας αυτοις , ειπε , having looked on them, namely, with great compassion and solemnity in his countenance, he said, Did ye never read, or never reflect upon this remarkable passage in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders refused, &c.? As if he had said, If the vineyard is not to be taken from you and given to others, what is the meaning of these words? Do they not plainly foretel that the Messiah shall be rejected by... read more

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