Matthew 21:41-46

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 21:33-46

This parable plainly sets forth the sin and ruin of the Jewish nation; they and their leaders are the husbandmen here; and what is spoken for conviction to them, is spoken for caution to all that enjoy the privileges of the visible church, not to be high-minded, but fear. I. We have here the privileges of the Jewish church, represented by the letting out of a vineyard to the husbandmen; they were as tenants holding by, from, and under, God the great Householder. Observe, 1. How God established... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 21:33-46

21:33-46 Jesus said, "Listen to another parable. There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and surrounded it with a hedge, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and gave it out to cultivators and went away. When the time of the fruits had come, he dispatched his servants to the cultivators, to receive his fruits; and the cultivators took his servants, and beat one of them, and killed another of them, and stoned another of them. Again he dispatched other servants, more than... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 21:33-46

This parable has much to tell us in three directions. (i) It has much to tell us about God. (a) It tells of God's trust in men. The owner of the vineyard entrusted it to the cultivators. He did not even stand over them to exercise a police-like supervision. He went away and left them with their task. God pays men the compliment of entrusting them with his work. Every task we receive is a task given us to do by God. (b) It tells of God's patience. The master sent messenger after... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 21:33-46

The parable concludes with the picture of the stone. There are two pictures really. (i) The first is quite clear. It is the picture of a stone which the builders rejected but became the most important stone in the whole building. The picture is from Psalms 118:22 : "The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner." Originally the Psalmist meant this as a picture of the nation of Israel. Israel was the nation which was despised and rejected. The Jews were hated by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 21:41

They say unto him ,.... Either the common people that were about him; or rather the chief priests, scribes, and elders, to whom he put the question; little thinking then, that they were the persons intended in this parable: he will miserably destroy those wicked men : in saying which, they own that persons guilty of such crimes, as beating, killing, and stoning, servants sent to them by the proprietor of the vineyard, to receive his due and proper fruit, and at last murdering his son and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 21:42

Jesus saith unto them, did ye never read the Scriptures ,.... The passage which stands in Psalm 118:22 . The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes . Very appropriately is this Scripture cited, and applied to the present case; which expresses the rejection of the Messiah by the Jewish builders, priests, and scribes: the whole Psalm may be understood of the Messiah. R. David Kimchi owns ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 21:43

Therefore I say unto you ,.... This is the application of the parable; and the words are directed to the chief priests, elders, scribes, and people of the Jews; and are delivered as what would be in consequence of the builders, rejecting the Messiah, the foundation and corner stone of the building, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you : by which is meant, not their political estate, their civil government, which was of God, and in a short time was to depart from them, according to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 21:44

And whosoever shall fall on this stone ,.... This is not to be understood of believing in Christ, or of a soul's casting itself on Christ, the foundation stone; relying on him, and building all its hopes of happiness and salvation on him; which is attended with contrition and brokenness of heart, or repentance unto life, which needed not to be repented of nor of a believer's offending Christ by evil works, whereby his conscience is wounded, his soul is grieved, and his faith shaken; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 21:45

And when the chief priests and Pharisees ,.... Which latter, though not before mentioned, were many of them of the grand sanhedrim, as well as the chief priests, scribes, and elders: "had heard his parables"; that of the two sons being sent into the vineyard, and that of the letting out the vineyard to husbandmen, they perceived that he spake of them : they plainly saw that they were designed by the son, that promised to go into the vineyard, but did not; only talked of works, but did... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 21:46

But when they sought to lay hands on him ,.... Not that they attempted by any outward action to apprehend him, and carry him off, or by any immediate act of violence to take away his life; but they secretly wished, and earnestly desired to do it: they were so irritated and provoked, that they could scarcely keep their hands off of him, and could have been glad of an opportunity of satiating their revenge upon him: and whereby they would but have fulfilled what he in this parable had... read more

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