“When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?”
The full verse · Matthew 21:40 · KJV
the of the , will he unto ?
Asked by
Jesus: the Son of God and promised Messiah, telling "another parable" to the leaders in the temple (Matthew 21:33)
Asked to
Chief Priests: the leading priests of the temple, who later perceived that the parable was about them (Matthew 21:45); Elders: the elders of the people, listening with the chief priests (Matthew 21:23)
The Scene
Jesus tells of a householder who planted a vineyard and let it out to husbandmen, who beat, killed, and stoned his servants and at last killed his son (Matthew 21:33-39).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionJesus wanted the leaders to say what justice required before they saw that the story was about them. Barnes writes that "the design of asking them this question was that they might condemn themselves, and admit the justice of the punishment that was soon coming upon them." Gill explains that the lord comes "to call these husbandmen to an account" for their treatment of his servants and, above all, "the inhuman usage and murder of his own son." The question asks what any fair hearer would say.
The Response
What Scripture recordsThe leaders answered: "He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons" (Matthew 21:41). Jesus then quoted Scripture about the stone the builders rejected (Matthew 21:42) and said, "The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof" (Matthew 21:43). The chief priests and Pharisees "perceived that he spake of them" and wanted to seize Him, but they feared the multitude (Matthew 21:45-46).
Historical Context
The world behind the words"Husbandmen" translates georgoi, farm workers or vinedressers; the ESV calls them "tenants." The owner "let it out to husbandmen" and went away, expecting his share of the fruit at harvest (Matthew 21:33-34).
The picture comes from Isaiah 5, where "the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel" (Isaiah 5:7). Barnes points to Isaiah 5:2, and Gill identifies the husbandmen as "the rulers of the Jews, civil and ecclesiastical." In Matthew the leaders answer Jesus' question themselves, while in Mark and Luke Jesus gives the answer (Mark 12:9; Luke 20:15-16).
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyThe parable shows God's patience and His justice. The owner sent servants, then "other servants more than the first," and "last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son" (Matthew 21:36-37). God kept reaching out to His people through messenger after messenger. The question about what the owner will do comes only after all that patience has been refused.
The answer also points to Christ. Jesus follows it with Psalm 118:22: "The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner" (Matthew 21:42). The Son the husbandmen killed is the Stone God makes the head of the corner. Peter later applies that same psalm to Jesus before the council (Acts 4:11).
Look Closer
Whom did the lord of the vineyard send last of all?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Lord of the vineyard, You sent servant after servant and then Your Son; what fruit are You looking for in what You have entrusted to me?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- The leaders judged the husbandmen quickly but did not see themselves. Why is it easier to see wrong in a story than in ourselves?
- Where have you seen God's patience in sending someone to you again and again?
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
What God entrusts, He expects fruit from. Matthew Henry draws this lesson from the parable: "From those that enjoy church-privileges, both ministers and people, God looks for fruit accordingly." The husbandmen forgot that the vineyard was not theirs. Your gifts, your work, and the people in your care belong to God, and He is patient in seeking fruit from them.
This parable does not picture God as quick to anger. The owner sent again and again before judgment came (Matthew 21:34-37). But patience refused does lead to judgment. When God sends a message, receive it while He is still sending.
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
Keep questioning
“What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do?”
“What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?”
“What shall I do?”
“Did ye never read in the scriptures, 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?”