Matthew 21:39 - Exposition

Cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him . This is prophecy, and alludes to a particular circumstance attending the death of Christ, viz. that he suffered without the city Jerusalem, Calvary being outside the walls (see John 19:17 , and the parallel passages in the other evangelists, and especially Hebrews 13:11 , Hebrews 13:12 , where it is significantly noted that Jesus "suffered without the gate"). The words may also contain a reference to the fact that he was excommunicated and given over to the heathen to be judged and condemned, thus suffering not actually at the hands of "the husbandmen" (comp. Acts 2:23 ; Acts 4:27 ). Christ, in his Divine prescience, speaks of his Passion and death as already accomplished.