Matthew 21:38
“38 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.”
This verse is part of a parable told by Jesus, known as the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen or the Parable of the Tenants. In this parable, Jesus uses agricultural imagery to convey spiritual truths. Let’s explore the context and meaning of this verse.
Context:Matthew 21:33-46 provides the full context of the parable. Jesus shares this parable while addressing the chief priests and elders who questioned His authority. The parable describes a landowner who planted a vineyard, set a hedge around it, and leased it to tenants. When the harvest season approached, the landowner sent his servants to collect the fruit. However, the wicked tenants mistreated and killed the servants. Finally, the landowner sends his own son, expecting reverence, but the tenants plot to kill him as well.
Meaning and Interpretation:
The landowner represents God:In this parable, the landowner symbolizes God, who is the owner and creator of everything, including the world and all its inhabitants.
The vineyard represents Israel:The vineyard represents the nation of Israel, which God had chosen and nurtured throughout history. The vineyard imagery is used in several places in the Old Testament to describe Israel’s relationship with God.
The tenants represent religious leaders:The tenants represent the religious leaders of Israel, particularly the chief priests and elders to whom Jesus was addressing this parable. They were responsible for shepherding God’s people, but they had become corrupt and were not fulfilling their responsibilities.
The servants represent the prophets:The servants sent by the landowner symbolize the prophets whom God sent to Israel throughout its history, calling the people to repentance and faithfulness. However, the religious leaders rejected and mistreated the prophets, often leading to their martyrdom.
The son represents Jesus:The landowner’s son in the parable represents Jesus, the Son of God. Jesus was sent by God the Father to bring salvation and to fulfill the promises made to Israel. He came to establish God’s kingdom and to reconcile humanity with God.
The desire to kill the son and seize the inheritance:In the parable, the tenants’ plot to kill the son reflects the religious leaders’ rejection of Jesus and their unwillingness to acknowledge Him as the Messiah. They saw Him as a threat to their authority and sought to eliminate Him. By doing so, they hoped to seize the inheritance, representing their desire to maintain their power and control over the people.
Spiritual application:This parable highlights the historical rejection of God’s messengers and, ultimately, His Son by the religious leaders of Israel. It serves as a warning against religious hypocrisy and pride. The parable also foreshadows Jesus’ crucifixion and His ultimate triumph over death, demonstrating God’s redemptive plan for humanity.
By understanding this parable, we can reflect on the importance of recognizing and accepting Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior. It also reminds us to be faithful and obedient in our service to God, fulfilling the responsibilities He has entrusted to us.
