The Wicked Husbandmen: Matthew 21:33-40

Matthew 21:33‑40
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THE Saviour was fully aware, during; His last visit to Jerusalem, that conspiracy was abroad, and that the leaders of Israel were planning His death. In this striking parable, recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, He exposes their design fully. This so exasperated His enemies that they would have laid violent hands upon Him forthwith, but they feared the people (Matt. 21:4646But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet. (Matthew 21:46)).
The parable of the Husbandmen, though directed against the leaders, gives the whole history of Israel from the day that God began to bestow favors upon them. Their beautiful inheritance is likened to a vineyard, containing everything conducive to abundant fruit-bearing. In the East rent is paid, not in money altogether, but partly in kind. But God looked in vain for any return from Israel (Matt. 21:33-4033Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: 34And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. 35And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. 36Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. 37But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. 38But 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. 39And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. 40When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? (Matthew 21:33‑40).) Eight centuries before Christ’s coming He complained thus: “What could have been done more to My vineyard that I have not done in it? Wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?” (Isa. 5:44What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? (Isaiah 5:4)). Nothing but the basest ingratitude and sin was ever rendered by Israel for all the favors wherewith God blessed them. Violence and murder were meted out to His messengers: “they beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.” Stephen challenged them thus severely: “Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?”
(Acts 7:5252Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: (Acts 7:52)). The climax of insult and iniquity was reached when the Son came, and they said among themselves: “This is the Heir; come, let us kill Him, and seize on His inheritance.” Within a week these words received their painful fulfillment—the Son of God lay dead in the tomb.
The history of Israel is the history of man everywhere. In their record we see our own hearts reflected. We shall miss all the moral value of the parable if we fail to perceive this. Fallen man is utterly unfruitful for God; and, what is worse, his heart is filled with antagonism to God and His Son. The apostle’s words as to this in Rom. 8:7-87Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:7‑8) are very sweeping: “The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Nothing avails but a new creation by means of the Spirit and the Word.
In answer to the Lord’s demand as to what should be done to the lawless husbandmen, His hearers pronounced their own sentence. “He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard to other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.” They wanted the inheritance for themselves, apart altogether from divine interference and claim; they should have destruction instead. The Stone which the builders rejected was about to become the head of the corner; and the day will arrive when the Stone will descend with crushing violence upon all transgressors, and grind them to powder (Matt. 21:42-4442Jesus saith unto them, 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? 43Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. (Matthew 21:42‑44)). Even the forbearance of God has its limits.
The judgment of unfruitful Israel has already fallen; the judgment of unfaithful Christendom is rapidly approaching. From it there is no escape for any, but through faith in the Saviour’s name, and in His precious atoning blood.