New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 21:33

The King Enters

Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. Matthew 21:33 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

Matthew 21:33, in plain English

Jesus tells another story: 'A landowner planted a vineyard, built a wall and a watchtower, dug a winepress, rented it to tenants, and left on a journey.'

Why it's here

This story echoes an ancient prophecy about God and Israel. The leaders would have recognized it immediately.

Who's speaking

Jesus begins a parable rooted in one of the most famous passages in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Where it sits in the story

The vineyard is Israel. The owner is God. The tenants are the leaders. And the story is about to get very uncomfortable for them.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus begins the Parable of the Wicked Tenants: a landowner builds a vineyard with every provision (wall, winepress, tower), rents it out, and departs — the vineyard is Israel (cf. Isaiah 5:1-7).

Language and setting

Every detail echoes Isaiah's Song of the Vineyard; the wall, winepress, and tower represent God's complete provision for Israel.

Voice

Jesus begins a second parable, this time drawing on Isaiah's vineyard imagery.

Significance

Jesus tells a story the leaders would immediately recognize from Isaiah — God's vineyard is Israel, and the tenants are its leaders.

In context

Matthew 21:31–35

31Which of the two did the will of his father?”

32For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

33Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey.

34When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit.

35But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.

Read all of Matthew 21 — Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey while the crowds shout hosanna. Within hours, he's overturning tables in the temple.

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