“But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.”– Matthew 21:38 (KJV)
“But when the farmers saw his son, they said to each other, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Come on, let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!'”– Matthew 21:38 (NLT)
“But the farmworkers saw the son, and they said, ‘This is the heir. Come on, let’s kill him and get his inheritance!'”– Matthew 21:38 (MSG)
What Does Matthew 21:38 Mean?
Matthew 21:38 speaks to us through an allegory illustrating the refusal of the people to accept God’s messengers and, ultimately, His Son, Jesus Christ. In this verse, we see the farmers who are supposed to give the fruits of their labor back to the owner of the vineyard. Instead, they plot against the heir who arrives to claim what is rightfully his. This reveals the sinful nature of humanity, where greed and rebellion supersede righteousness. When we look deeper, we may realize that these farmers represent the religious leaders of Israel who rejected Jesus, and the vineyard symbolizes the kingdom of God. This verse does not merely speak of events that occurred long ago; it is also a reflection of our own choices today as we determine how we respond to God’s call.
This narrative offers us a moment of reflection on how we engage with God’s Word and His messengers in our lives. The actions of the farmers can be seen in the way some people today dismiss and ignore the teachings and lessons shared through the scripture. The fact that the Son is sent to the farmers shows God’s unwavering love and desire to extend grace—even to those who are in rebellion against Him. When we read this verse, it challenges us to consider how we act in our personal vineyards. Are we nurturing our faith? Are we receptive to God’s guidance? Are we yielding to His plans for us, or are we resisting?”
Matthew 21:38 Explanation and Commentary
This verse is set within the context of a parable that Jesus tells about a landowner who planted a vineyard and entrusted it to caretakers. The tenants’ rejection and mistreatment of the landowner’s servants reflect the rejection of the prophets who God sent to guide His people throughout history. The arrival of the landowner’s son shouldn’t have been a cause for alarm but rather an invitation to treat him with honor and respect; unfortunately, it leads to the opposite.
When the farmers schemed to kill the son to steal the inheritance, we see a twisted misunderstanding of ownership. They believed that by removing the heir, they could claim the estate as their own. This distorted view of possession connects to how the people perceived their relationship with God. They had lost sight of their responsibilities and began to act selfishly, thinking they could take God’s grace for granted. This should ring true for us as we remember to honor God in our daily lives and recognize He is the true owner of everything we have.
We also need to see the broader implications of rejecting the Son of God. Jesus, the heir of all creation, came not to take away our freedoms but to restore our relationship with God. Such rejection puts individuals in a dangerous position, for it denies the salvation that Jesus offers. This led to the ultimate consequence faced by the farmers, which would later reflect the fate of those who continue to reject Him. By rejecting the Son, they sealed their own fate.
In our hearts, we must ask ourselves if we are nurturing faith or if we are like the farmers, blind to the truth of God’s kingdom. Jesus emphasizes the importance of recognizing the authority He comes with—the message of salvation, love, and truth. Each day presents us with choices: to accept God’s gifts or to overlook them. There is a call for unity and a harmonious relationship with our Creator so that we can partake in the glory of His vineyard.
Context of Matthew 21:38
This verse is part of a larger passage in Matthew 21, which includes the parable of the wicked tenants. Jesus shares this parable in the context of His teachings in Jerusalem shortly before His crucifixion. The religious leaders were questioning His authority, as they were unhappy with the way He challenged their practices and traditions.
Looking back at Matthew 21:33-46, we gain insight into how this parable unfolds within a critical moment for Israel. Jesus is speaking directly to the scribes and Pharisees, who are the religious leaders of the time. He forces them to confront their motivations and attitudes towards God’s message. Additionally, this context reveals the ongoing tension between the religious elite and Jesus as they fail to recognize Him as the Messiah.
Throughout the parable, we can see the consistent theme of God’s long-suffering love amidst rejection. God continually reached out to His people, sending prophets to guide them, just as the landowner sent his servants to the vineyard. However, time and time again, they were rejected. The narrative serves as a profound reminder of the real cost of sin, which is the rejection of God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
In essence, Matthew 21:38 serves as an important warning to us today about the danger of hardening our hearts against the truth and missing out on the abundant life available in Christ. We are called to be vigilant and attentive to God’s Word, understanding that ignoring His message may lead us down a path of despair instead of peace.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Matthew 21:38
As we break down Matthew 21:38, we can highlight several key components of this verse that help us derive meaning and clarity about Jesus’ message. The term “husbandmen” in the KJV refers to the farmers in more modern translations, showing us the caretakers of the vineyard. The inherent trust in the relationship between the landowner and the tenants is where it begins—it depicts the expectation that those in charge would honorably care for what has been entrusted to them.
Next, we observe how the husbandmen plotted among themselves, raising a serious question about unity in their rebellion. It’s essential to note that such discussions began a chain reaction that led to terrible decisions. The act of conspiring against the son—identified as the heir—underlines a fundamental flaw in human nature. This mirrors how people today may sabotage their relationships or faith in God due to jealousy or insecurity.
In addition, the phrase “let us kill him” echoes a chilling resolve to carry out their intentions based on selfish motives. This shows that their desires outgrew their duty. Such language is stark and jolting as we reflect on how our own motives can lead us into making choices that separate us from God rather than bringing us closer. By pointing out that the groups acknowledgment of the son as the heir reinforces that they knew how important he was, yet they still chose to reject him.
The last significant point in this verse relates to seizing the inheritance. This act symbolizes not only greed but a complete misuse of the relationship that exists between them and the landowner. In spiritual terms, we need to acknowledge our inheritance as children of God and recognize our blessings. Each day we live is a gift, and every opportunity to grow closer to God through Jesus is a treasure we should not take lightly.
Lessons to Learn From Matthew 21:38
Matthew 21:38 presents us with numerous lessons applicable to our lives. One of the central lessons we draw from it is regarding our responses to God’s truth. The farmers symbolize those who blatantly ignore warnings and fail to act according to God’s expectations. This verse calls us to evaluate how we live. Are we tending our spiritual vineyard well, utilizing our gifts for God’s glory, or are we resistant and rebellious?
Moreover, we are reminded of the importance of honoring God’s messengers. Just as the farmers rejected the son, there can be times when we dismiss the wise guidance and counsel from people in our lives who are centered on faith. Let’s pay attention to those He sends into our lives as teachers, friends, or even family members who share God’s truth. Ignoring them may lead to costly consequences.
We can also reflect on the significance of our inheritance as followers of Christ. Seizing the inheritance means understanding the glory and the gifts that come from being in a relationship with Him. The son in the parable represents Jesus, who came to remind us of these blessings and how we must be stewards of what God has provided us.
Lastly, this verse gives us the opportunity to examine our hearts for areas where we might reject God’s words. Are there moments of pride or disobedience that keep us from fully embracing God’s plans? God calls us to a loving relationship, and we must seek to align our hearts with His will, becoming more open to the guidance He offers— even if it requires us to change.
Final Thoughts
Matthew 21:38 encapsulates the gravity of rejecting the gifts God has bestowed upon us through Jesus Christ. It reminds us that we are stewards of a divine vineyard, entrusted with the responsibility to cultivate our relationship with God and share that love with others. In every moment, we have the opportunity to engage with His Word, reflect on our actions, and ensure our hearts are in the right place.
As we wrestle with the teachings of this parable, let us commit to walking in faith, nurturing our relationship with God, and honoring those He places in our path. The choices we make can have profound implications for our lives, our families, and our communities. So let us not be like the farmers in the parable; instead, may we be faithful tenants, rejoicing in our inheritance and sharing the good news of the Gospel.
For deeper understanding and insight into other passages, we encourage you to read Matthew 11 and consider how it relates to trust in God’s plans.