Matthew 21:35

"When the season for the fruit came near, he sent his servants to the farmers to receive his fruit."

Key Reflection

In Matthew 21:35, Jesus uses a parable to illustrate the rejection of God's messengers. The verse depicts a vineyard owner sending his servants to collect the fruit from tenant farmers. This scene draws on first-century agricultural practices where land was often leased out, and it reflects the reality that tenants were responsible for producing and delivering the crops to the owner. By sending his servants, Jesus symbolizes God's repeated attempts through prophets to gather obedience and righteousness from the Israelites, who had historically failed to do so, leading to their eventual rejection.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 35. And beat one. The word here translated beat, properly means to flay, or to take off the skin. Hence to beat, or to whip, so that the skin in many places is taken off. And killed another. Isaiah is said to have been put to death by sawing him asunder. See Lu 13:34; Heb 11:37; 1 Sa 22:18; 1 Ki 19:10. And stoned another. This was, among the Jews, a common way of punishment, De 13:10; 17:7; Jos 7:26. Especially was this the case in times of popular tumult, and of sudden indignation among the people, Ac 7:58; 14:19; Joh 8:59; 10:31. This does not imply of necessity that those who were stoned died, but they might be only severely wounded.

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