Topical Encyclopedia The Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen, also known as the Parable of the Tenants, is a significant teaching of Jesus Christ found in the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 21:33-46, Mark 12:1-12, and Luke 20:9-19. This parable is a profound allegory that Jesus used to convey truths about the kingdom of God, the rejection of the prophets, and the ultimate rejection of the Son of God by the religious leaders of Israel.Context and Setting The parable is delivered during the final week of Jesus' earthly ministry, shortly after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It is addressed to the chief priests, scribes, and elders who question Jesus' authority. The setting is a vineyard, a common symbol for Israel in the Hebrew Scriptures, as seen in Isaiah 5:1-7. This context would have been familiar to Jesus' audience, who understood the vineyard as representing God's chosen people. Narrative of the Parable In the parable, a landowner plants a vineyard, equips it with all necessary facilities, and leases it to tenant farmers before traveling to a distant country. At harvest time, the landowner sends servants to collect his share of the fruit. However, the tenants beat one servant, kill another, and stone a third. The landowner sends more servants, but they receive the same treatment. Finally, he sends his beloved son, thinking they will respect him. Instead, the tenants conspire to kill the son, hoping to seize his inheritance. Interpretation and Symbolism The landowner represents God, the vineyard symbolizes Israel, and the tenants are the religious leaders entrusted with the care of God's people. The servants sent by the landowner are the prophets, whom Israel repeatedly rejected and mistreated. The son represents Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whom the religious leaders would soon crucify. The parable highlights the persistent rebellion and unfaithfulness of Israel's leaders, who fail to produce the fruits of righteousness and reject God's messengers. The killing of the son foreshadows the impending crucifixion of Jesus, underscoring the gravity of their rejection. Judgment and Consequences Jesus concludes the parable by asking what the owner of the vineyard will do to the wicked tenants. The response is that he will bring those wretches to a wretched end and lease the vineyard to others who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time. This pronouncement signifies the transfer of God's kingdom to a people who will produce its fruits, pointing to the inclusion of the Gentiles and the establishment of the Church. In Matthew 21:42, Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22-23, saying, "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." This reference to Himself as the cornerstone emphasizes His central role in God's redemptive plan, despite being rejected by the leaders of Israel. Reaction of the Religious Leaders The religious leaders perceive that Jesus is speaking about them, and their response is one of anger and a desire to arrest Him. However, they fear the reaction of the crowds, who regard Jesus as a prophet. This reaction further illustrates their hardened hearts and unwillingness to repent. Theological Implications The Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen serves as a warning against unfaithfulness and the rejection of God's messengers. It underscores the accountability of those entrusted with spiritual leadership and the dire consequences of rejecting God's Son. The parable also foreshadows the opening of God's kingdom to all who will accept Christ, regardless of their ethnic or religious background, emphasizing the universal scope of the Gospel. Torrey's Topical Textbook Matthew 21:33-45Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and dig a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to farmers, and went into a far country: Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Group --The Two Sons, the Wicked Husbandmen, and the Marriage of ... The Parables of the Kingdom. Chronological Table of the Life of Christ [From Andrews. ] The Wicked Husbandmen. In Reply to the Questions as to his Authority, Jesus Gives the ... Christ, the Great Teacher Things which are Characteristic of Mark. The Husbandmen His Life The God of the Law and the Prophets, and the Father of Our Lord ... Resources What is the meaning of the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin? | GotQuestions.orgHow many parables are in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Why did Jesus teach in parables? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Parables of Aholah and Aholibah Parables of the Garment Which Was Torn in Pieces Parables of the Prisoner of War Parables of the Skins Filled With Wine Parables of the Thistle and Cedar Parables of the Woman of Tekoa Parables: Parables of Christ: Barren Fig-Tree Parables: Parables of Christ: Beam and Mote Parables: Parables of Christ: Blind Leading the Blind Parables: Parables of Christ: Builder of a Tower Parables: Parables of Christ: Children of the Bride Chamber Parables: Parables of Christ: Cloud and Wind Parables: Parables of Christ: Creditor and Debtors Parables: Parables of Christ: Faithful, and Evil Servants Parables: Parables of Christ: Fig-Tree Leafing Parables: Parables of Christ: Good Samaritan Parables: Parables of Christ: Good Shepherd Parables: Parables of Christ: House, Divided Against Itself Parables: Parables of Christ: Importunate Friend Parables: Parables of Christ: Importunate Widow Parables: Parables of Christ: King Going to War Parables: Parables of Christ: Kingdom, Divided Against Itself Parables: Parables of Christ: Labourers Hired Parables: Parables of Christ: Leaven Parables: Parables of Christ: Lighted Candle Parables: Parables of Christ: Lost Piece of Silver Parables: Parables of Christ: Lost Sheep Parables: Parables of Christ: Man of the House Watching Parables: Parables of Christ: Man Taking a Far Journey Parables: Parables of Christ: Marriage-Feast Parables: Parables of Christ: Meats Defiling Not Parables: Parables of Christ: Men Bidden to a Feast Parables: Parables of Christ: Mustard-Seed Parables: Parables of Christ: Net Cast Into the Sea Parables: Parables of Christ: New Cloth and Old Garment Parables: Parables of Christ: New Wine and Old Bottles Parables: Parables of Christ: Pearl of Great Price Parables: Parables of Christ: Pharisee and Publican Parables: Parables of Christ: Pounds Parables: Parables of Christ: Prodigal Son Parables: Parables of Christ: Rich Fool Parables: Parables of Christ: Rich Man and Lazarus Parables: Parables of Christ: Savour of Salt Parables: Parables of Christ: Seed Growing Secretly Parables: Parables of Christ: Sower Parables: Parables of Christ: Strong Man Armed Parables: Parables of Christ: Talents Parables: Parables of Christ: Tares Parables: Parables of Christ: Ten Virgins Parables: Parables of Christ: Treasure Hid in a Field Parables: Parables of Christ: Tree and Its Fruit Parables: Parables of Christ: Two Sons Parables: Parables of Christ: Unclean Spirit Parables: Parables of Christ: Unjust Steward Parables: Parables of Christ: Unmerciful Servant Parables: Parables of Christ: Vine and Branches Parables: Parables of Christ: Wicked Husbandmen Parables: Parables of Christ: Wise and Foolish Builders Parables: Remarkable Parables of the Old Testament Parables: The Mercenary Soldier Parables: The Sheet Lowered Down from the Sky (In Peter's Vision) Related Terms |
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