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Explanation for:
Matthew
21
:
41
They say to him: He will bring those evil men to an evil end; and will let out his vineyard to other husbandmen, that shall render him the fruit in due season.
11
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Matthew records that it was the Jews who rendered the verdict. This is not contradictory; both statements hold true. They delivered a sentence upon their own heads and subsequently, upon recognizing the implications of the parable, exclaimed, ‘Let it not be!’ In response, He refuted them using the prophet’s words, ensuring them that the outcome would inevitably manifest. Even then, He did not directly refer to the Gentiles, seeking to avoid provoking them against Him; instead, He implied it by stating: ‘He will give the vineyard to others’ (Luke 20:16). It is clear that He shared the parable also so that the Jews would ultimately pass judgement, akin to David, who, upon grasping Nathan's parable, judged himself. Consider how righteous the judgement is when those who are corrected bear witness against themselves."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The vineyard has been entrusted to us, contingent upon our offering to the Lord the fruits of our labor at the appointed season, and being aware at all times of what we should say or do."},{"author-name":"John Damascene","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88f1652142a026a0c6d53_John%20Damascene.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":8,"exegesis-text":"The Lord's parable did not deter the obstinate. They closed their eyes to avoid seeing, and they shut their ears to evade hearing. Consequently, the light of the gospel failed to illuminate their path. Oh, the profound darkness of the Jews! They pass judgment upon themselves, not fully grasping the implications of their words. When the Lord inquired, \\"What will the owner of the vineyard do to the tenants?\\" they inadvertently spoke the truth: He will bring ruin upon the wicked, as justice demands severe punishment for those who act unjustly, and He will assign the vineyard to others who will yield fruitful harvests at the appointed time (Matthew 21:40-41). In this way, the chief priests and Pharisees unwittingly prophesied. Indeed, the Lord's people—the grapes—have been entrusted to new laborers who, in due season, have produced abundant fruit for the Lord. Their message will spread across the globe, reaching the ends of the earth. How beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim peace, who bring good news (Romans 10:15, 18)! As they move like sheep amidst wolves, they transformed even the wolves into sheep; the Gentiles, once distant from God, became the flock of Christ, gaining followers of sincere devotion through righteous deeds (Titus 2:14)."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"He will transfer His vineyard to different caretakers, referring to the apostles and faithful Christian leaders. The vineyard can also symbolize the Holy Scriptures: the hedge represents the written word; the dug-out furnace signifies the profound depths of the spirit; the tower stands for the elevated theological teachings. Initially, this Scripture was handed over to the unfaithful caretakers, namely the Pharisees and scribes, but later God entrusted it to us, who strive to nurture it earnestly. In this context, the Pharisees were responsible for the Lord's death outside the vineyard, acting in opposition to what the Old Testament Scriptures proclaimed concerning Christ."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Due to their wickedness, they will face severe punishment. They even predict the future without intending to. The forthcoming Lord of the vineyard—Christ, who triumphed over death and was endowed with authority—entrusted their fate to the Romans for destruction and looting. The stewardship of the vineyard was given to the Christian bishops, who, during Christianity's flourishing period, bore various virtues as their fruits. However, Matthew notes that they condemned themselves, while Mark (Mark 12:9) and Luke (Luke 20:16) indicate that Christ condemned them. It seems likely that they initially passed judgment, and then Christ reiterated their words to affirm their verdict. Notably, Luke adds that upon hearing this, they proclaimed, \\"Let it not be.\\" Unaware that it was a parable directed at them, they unwittingly passed judgment on themselves; however, when Christ validated their judgment, they realized and responded, \\"Let it not be.\\""},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"When the Master of the vineyard arrives, what will be the fate of those workers? They replied, He will punish those who act wickedly, and He will assign the vineyard to other workers who will render Him the proper fruits in their time. Jesus relayed this parable in the presence of the leaders and elders who approached Him while He was teaching in the temple (Matthew 21:23). He posed to them a question regarding the treatment of those laboring in His vineyard: ‘When the Master of the vineyard comes, what will He do to those who work it?’ They responded, ‘He will bring destruction upon them for their wrongdoing.’ But who were those who gave this reply? Apparently, they were the audience of the parable, namely the Hierarchs and elders; however, according to the words of Saint Luke, it is clear that others articulated this sentiment: ‘the wicked shall face destruction,’ and additional remarks. Upon hearing this, the Hierarchs and elders exclaimed, ‘May it not come to pass!’ (Matthew 21:41; Luke 20:16). When the bishops and elders understood, as noted by the Evangelist Mark, that the parable pertained to them, they remained silent, yet the disciples of Christ, observing their silence, responded on their behalf. Upon hearing their response, ‘the wicked shall face destruction,’ the bishops and elders cried out, ‘let it not be so’ (Mark 12:12). Perhaps these Hierarchs and elders, feeling compelled by the truth, acknowledged what punishment is due to those who do evil, only to subsequently express their hope that such a fate would never occur: ‘May it not be!’ \\n\\nWhat then was the nature of the punishment faced by the Jews, and how did it manifest? There are two occurrences: one in this temporal life, and another in eternity, along with two forms of retribution: one felt in this age, and another in what is to come. At the resurrection of our Savior, the Jewish people were stripped of all temporal authority, exiled from the holy city, removed from the promised land, and scattered tragically and disgracefully to the far corners of the earth. On the second coming of the Lord Jesus, ‘they shall look upon Him whom they have pierced’ (John 19:37), at which point they will mourn and lament, facing eternal condemnation. This aligns with the statement: ‘The wicked shall be destroyed.’ The other workers are the God-bearing Apostles, along with all sacred teachers and proclaimers of the Gospel. God has entrusted to them not only the people of Israel but also all nations, as Scripture says: ‘Go and make disciples of all nations’ (Matthew 28:19). Throughout various eras, they have yielded fruit through the proclamation of the Gospel, the deeds, faith, virtues, and sacrifices made by those who believe in Him. The Lord affirms this through prophetic utterances."},{"author-name":"Rodion Putiatin","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c897666859f9f8e2016743_Rodion%20Putiatin.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"A certain master established a vineyard, arranged it meticulously, took all necessary measures for its success, entrusted it to tenant farmers, and departed to his own residence. When the season for harvesting the fruit arrived, he dispatched his servants to the farmers to collect what was due. However, the farmers mistreated all the servants and even killed some of them. The master then sent a larger group of servants, yet the farmers met them with the same violence. Ultimately, he sent his son, believing that they would have remorse or fear regarding the death of his son. Yet, they murdered the son as well, thinking they could seize the inheritance for themselves. This, dear listeners, is the parable told by Christ to the chief priests and Pharisees among the Jews. After sharing this story, the Lord turned to them and posed a question: 'What will the owner of the vineyard do when he comes?' They responded, 'He will bring those wicked men to a wretched end and lease the vineyard to other farmers' (see: Matthew 21:33-41). \\n\\nLet us perceive this narrative not merely as a parable but as a possible reality. How could the farmers lack the fear to harm and slay their master's servants? How could they proceed without compassion or shame to kill his son? They were driven by greed and self-interest, desiring to possess what belonged to another. Those engulfed in greed are devoid of pity, fear, shame, or conscience when they wish to take control of someone else's belongings. Greedy individuals, consumed by the desire for profit and gain, display this nature consistently. Their singular aim is to amass more, regardless of the means. To insult, oppress, deceive, misappropriate, or unjustly take from others are acts that greedy individuals frequently regard as inconsequential sins. Their fate, however, remains constant: they meet a grim demise and vanish like dust, their ill-gotten gains decay or are scattered away, much like particles in the wind.\\n\\nIndeed, to wrong others in life is to set the stage for one's own tragic end, and to usurp another's possessions is to introduce peril into one’s own existence. Christian listener! Reflect on yourself: How do you obtain what you possess? Surely, you have gained something along the way, as everyone requires sustenance and therefore should strive to acquire it. But how do you achieve your acquisitions? Are you careful not to offend or deceive others, to misappropriate what isn’t yours, or to withhold due payments? Do you refrain from exploiting others or living beyond your means? In essence, are your means of acquisition free from the greed that characterizes the wicked? Is your conscience clear, without any feelings of guilt? \\n\\nAh, be cautious not to place blind faith in your conscience, for even those who are greedy may lack both shame and moral qualms in pursuing their desires. It often seems that no passion so blinds individuals as greed—the longing for more, the pursuit of a better life or greater wealth. So, dear hearer, how do you come by your possessions? Is it akin to the manner in which the avaricious operate? If all means are not just, not always righteous, not all are through honest labor, then beware of the fate that befalls the covetous. The ultimate destiny of the greedy and selfish remains unchanged: they will meet a disastrous end and fade like dust, with their possessions losing value even in life and vanishing after death, scattered like dust in the breeze. This truth is eternal: the wicked meet a wretched demise, and that which is gained through evil ultimately perishes. Amen."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"\\"He will lease the vineyard to others\\": the response of the Jewish leaders was fair; this was indeed the action that the vineyard owner ought to take. However, the Jews, failing to comprehend the deeper message of the parable, inadvertently condemned themselves through their own words. The Lord intended to reveal to them that it was rightful and proper to strip them of the privileges granted to the chosen people, as they were unworthy of such honor. Had He addressed them directly about this issue, they would have been unwilling to listen; yet through the parable, He gently led them to recognize this truth themselves, prompting them to vocalize the justice of the impending judgment against them."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"It appears that their hardened consciences enabled them to feign ignorance of their own reflection and to dissociate themselves from the parable entirely, maintaining a facade of impartial reasoning. The Lord, as recorded by the holy Evangelist Luke, affirmed their judgment, saying, “Thus, He will come and destroy those unworthy vinedressers and entrust the vineyard to others.” However, the authoritative tone and piercing gaze of the Lord made it clear that His grave words were directed squarely at the members of the Sanhedrin. The severity of His message so unsettled one listener that he gasped, “God forbid!” It is clear that the understanding of the parable extended beyond the Pharisees to the people, as this exclamation escaped the lips of one of the Pharisees’ disciples, who was acutely aware of the need for discretion. The Lord regarded His interlocutors once more, His gaze penetrating their hearts."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In essence, the message of the parable was as evident to them as it is to us today. However, had they given the slightest indication of acknowledging themselves as the unrighteous vinedressers, the crowd would likely have reacted with violence against them. This fear led to an increase in their audacity and arrogance, and in an attempt to distance themselves from the parable, they responded to Jesus' inquiry: \\"So, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to these vinedressers?\\" They replied, \\"Surely he will put these wrongdoers to a severe death and assign the vineyard to other vinedressers who will render him the fruit in its season.\\" Ironically, these scoundrels proclaimed their own judgment, which soon came to pass; authority over the Jewish people was revoked from them, along with their privilege to lead as God’s representatives among the Jews and the Gentiles visiting the temple in Jerusalem. This occurred because the temple was destroyed, and the people were dispersed, ceasing to exist as a cohesive nation."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"When the master of the vineyard arrives, what will he do to those tenants? The crowd, in their earnest belief, or the Pharisees present, who aimed to express their disdain for the deeper meanings of this parable, responded, “He will bring a wretched end to these unrighteous men and will entrust the vineyard to other tenants who will render to him the fruit in due time.” Once again, they were forced to provide an answer that ultimately condemned themselves: they acknowledged, through their own words, that divine justice necessitated the removal of their exclusive privileges in favor of the Gentiles."}]}
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