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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 21:38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/21-38.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/40_Mat_21_38.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 21:38 - The Parable of the Wicked Tenants" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. 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Come, let&#8217s kill him and take his inheritance.&#8217 <a href="/nlt/matthew/21.htm">New Living Translation</a> “But when the tenant farmers saw his son coming, they said to one another, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Come on, let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’ <a href="/esv/matthew/21.htm">English Standard Version</a> But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ <a href="/bsb/matthew/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.’ <a href="/blb/matthew/21.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But the farmers having seen the son, said among themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and gain possession of his inheritance.' <a href="/kjv/matthew/21.htm">King James Bible</a> But 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. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/21.htm">New King James Version</a> But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ <a href="/nasb_/matthew/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But when the vine-growers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let’s kill him and take possession of his inheritance!’ <a href="/nasb/matthew/21.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220But when the vine-growers saw the son, they said among themselves, &#8216This is the heir; come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.&#8217 <a href="/nasb77/matthew/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “But when the vine-growers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and seize his inheritance.’ <a href="/lsb/matthew/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But when the vine-growers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ <a href="/amp/matthew/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This [man] is the heir; come on, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ <a href="/csb/matthew/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “But when the tenant farmers saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ <a href="/hcsb/matthew/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220But when the tenant farmers saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir. Come, let&#8217s kill him and take his inheritance!&#8217 <a href="/asv/matthew/21.htm">American Standard Version</a> But the husbandmen, when they saw the son, said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and take his inheritance. <a href="/cev/matthew/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But when they saw the man's son, they said, "Someday he will own the vineyard. Let's kill him! Then we can have it all for ourselves." <a href="/erv/matthew/21.htm">English Revised Version</a> But the husbandmen, when they saw the son, said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and take his inheritance. <a href="/gwt/matthew/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "When the workers saw his son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Let's kill him and get his inheritance.' <a href="/gnt/matthew/21.htm">Good News Translation</a> But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the owner's son. Come on, let's kill him, and we will get his property!' <a href="/isv/matthew/21.htm">International Standard Version</a> But when the tenant farmers saw his son, they told one another, 'This is the heir. Come on, let's kill him and get his inheritance!' <a href="/msb/matthew/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ?This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.? <a href="/net/matthew/21.htm">NET Bible</a> But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and get his inheritance!' <a href="/nheb/matthew/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But the tenants, when they saw the son, said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and have his inheritance.' <a href="/wbt/matthew/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But 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. <a href="/wey/matthew/21.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "But the vine-dressers, when they saw the son, said to one another, "'Here is the heir: come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.' <a href="/web/matthew/21.htm">World English Bible</a> But the farmers, when they saw the son, said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and seize his inheritance.’ <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and the farmers having seen the son, said among themselves, This is the heir, come, we may kill him, and may possess his inheritance; <a href="/blb/matthew/21.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But the farmers having seen the son, said among themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and gain possession of his inheritance.' <a href="/ylt/matthew/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and the husbandmen having seen the son, said among themselves, This is the heir, come, we may kill him, and may possess his inheritance; <a href="/slt/matthew/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the farmers, seeing the son, said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and possess his inheritance.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But the husbandmen seeing the son, said among themselves: This is the heir: come, let us kill him, and we shall have his inheritance. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But the farmers, seeing the son, said among themselves: ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and then we will have his inheritance.’ <a href="/nabre/matthew/21.htm">New American Bible</a> But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.’<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But when the laborers saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him and retain his inheritance. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/21.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “But when the laborers saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir, come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.'”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/21.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But the vine-dressers, when they saw the son, said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and seize upon the inheritance. <a href="/godbey/matthew/21.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>But the husbandmen, seeing the son, said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and take possession of his inheritance.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/21.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But the husbandmen, when they saw the son, said among themselves, This is the heir, come let us kill him, and let us seize on the inheritance. <a href="/mace/matthew/21.htm">Mace New Testament</a> but when the tenants saw the son, they said among themselves, this is the heir, come, let us kill him, and then seize on his inheritance. <a href="/wey/matthew/21.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "But the vine-dressers, when they saw the son, said to one another, "'Here is the heir: come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.' <a href="/worrell/matthew/21.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>But the husbandmen, seeing the son, said among themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and have his inheritance!'<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/21.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>But when the husbandmen saw the Son, they said among themselves, This is the heir, come, let us kill him, and seize on his inheritance:<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/21-38.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=6285" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/21.htm">The Parable of the Wicked Tenants</a> …37Finally, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. 38<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But when</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1092.htm" title="1092: geōrgoi (N-NMP) -- From ge and the base of ergon; a land-worker, i.e. Farmer.">tenants</a> <a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: idontes (V-APA-NMP) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">saw</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/5207.htm" title="5207: huion (N-AMS) -- A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a son, used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.">son,</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipon (V-AIA-3P) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">they said</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">to</a> <a href="/greek/1438.htm" title="1438: heautois (RefPro-DM3P) -- Himself, herself, itself. ">one another,</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: Houtos (DPro-NMS) -- This; he, she, it. ">‘This</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2818.htm" title="2818: klēronomos (N-NMS) -- From kleros and the base of nomos (reflexively) getting by apportionment); a sharer by lot, i.e. Inheritor; by implication, a possessor.">heir.</a> <a href="/greek/1205.htm" title="1205: deute (V-M-2P) -- Come hither, come, hither, an exclamatory word. From deuro and an imperative form of eimi; come hither!">Come,</a> <a href="/greek/615.htm" title="615: apokteinōmen (V-ASA-1P) -- To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy.">let us kill</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">him</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: schōmen (V-ASA-1P) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">take</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2817.htm" title="2817: klēronomian (N-AFS) -- From kleronomos; heirship, i.e. a patrimony or a possession.">inheritance.’</a> 39So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/mark/12-7.htm">Mark 12:7</a> But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ <a href="/luke/20-14.htm">Luke 20:14</a> But when the tenants saw the son, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ <a href="/john/1-11.htm">John 1:11</a> He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. <a href="/hebrews/1-2.htm">Hebrews 1:2</a> But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. <a href="/acts/4-27.htm">Acts 4:27-28</a> In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. / They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen. <a href="/john/11-53.htm">John 11:53</a> So from that day on they plotted to kill Him. <a href="/john/19-15.htm">John 19:15</a> At this, they shouted, “Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him!” “Shall I crucify your King?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” replied the chief priests. <a href="/acts/2-23.htm">Acts 2:23</a> He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. <a href="/romans/8-17.htm">Romans 8:17</a> And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him. <a href="/galatians/4-4.htm">Galatians 4:4-5</a> But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, / to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons. <a href="/psalms/2-1.htm">Psalm 2:1-3</a> Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: / “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.” <a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3</a> He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. <a href="/genesis/37-18.htm">Genesis 37:18-20</a> Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him. / “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to one another. / “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams!” <a href="/psalms/118-22.htm">Psalm 118:22</a> The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. <a href="/isaiah/5-1.htm">Isaiah 5:1-7</a> I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But when the farmers saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.This.<a href="/matthew/2-13.htm">Matthew 2:13-16</a> And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him… <a href="/matthew/26-3.htm">Matthew 26:3,4</a> Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, … <a href="/matthew/27-1.htm">Matthew 27:1,2</a> When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/21-35.htm">Death</a> <a href="/matthew/21-35.htm">Farmers</a> <a href="/micah/1-15.htm">Heir</a> <a href="/matthew/21-35.htm">Husbandmen</a> <a href="/malachi/1-3.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/matthew/19-18.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/matthew/17-4.htm">Let's</a> <a href="/matthew/20-8.htm">Owner</a> <a href="/matthew/19-21.htm">Possess</a> <a href="/matthew/20-15.htm">Property</a> <a href="/matthew/12-29.htm">Seize</a> <a href="/matthew/21-36.htm">Tenants</a> <a href="/matthew/21-25.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/matthew/21-35.htm">Vine-Dressers</a> <a href="/matthew/21-35.htm">Vine-Growers</a> <a href="/matthew/21-35.htm">Workmen</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/21-39.htm">Death</a> <a href="/matthew/21-40.htm">Farmers</a> <a href="/mark/12-7.htm">Heir</a> <a href="/matthew/21-40.htm">Husbandmen</a> <a href="/matthew/25-34.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/matthew/23-34.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/matthew/26-46.htm">Let's</a> <a href="/matthew/21-40.htm">Owner</a> <a href="/mark/10-21.htm">Possess</a> <a href="/matthew/25-14.htm">Property</a> <a href="/matthew/21-46.htm">Seize</a> <a href="/matthew/21-40.htm">Tenants</a> <a href="/matthew/22-34.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/matthew/21-40.htm">Vine-Dressers</a> <a href="/matthew/21-40.htm">Vine-Growers</a> <a href="/matthew/21-40.htm">Workmen</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 21</div>1. <a href="/matthew/21-1.htm">Jesus rides into Jerusalem upon a donkey</a> 12. <a href="/matthew/21-12.htm">drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple;</a> 17. <a href="/matthew/21-17.htm">curses the fig tree;</a> 23. <a href="/matthew/21-23.htm">puts to silence the priests and elders,</a> 28. <a href="/matthew/21-28.htm">and rebukes them by the parable of the two sons,</a> 33. <a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">and the husbandmen who slew such as were sent to them.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But when the tenants saw the son In the parable of the tenants, the son represents Jesus Christ, sent by God to the people of Israel. The tenants symbolize the religious leaders and the people who have been entrusted with God's vineyard, Israel. The act of seeing the son indicates recognition and awareness of his identity and authority. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's messengers being rejected by those they are sent to, as seen in the rejection of prophets throughout the Old Testament (e.g., <a href="/jeremiah/7-25.htm">Jeremiah 7:25-26</a>).they said to one another This phrase highlights the premeditated nature of the tenants' actions. It suggests a conspiracy and collective decision-making process among the tenants, akin to the plotting of the religious leaders against Jesus. This mirrors the council of the Sanhedrin, where the chief priests and Pharisees conspired to arrest and kill Jesus (<a href="/john/11-47.htm">John 11:47-53</a>).‘This is the heir. The acknowledgment of the son as the heir underscores his rightful claim to the vineyard, symbolizing Jesus' divine authority and messianic role. In Jewish culture, the heir held a position of honor and was entitled to the inheritance. This recognition by the tenants parallels the understanding of Jesus' identity by some religious leaders, who, despite knowing his claims, chose to reject him (<a href="/john/3-2.htm">John 3:2</a>).Come, let us kill him This phrase reveals the tenants' malicious intent and willingness to commit murder to achieve their goals. It foreshadows the crucifixion of Jesus, where the religious leaders sought to eliminate him to maintain their power and control. The call to kill the son echoes the Old Testament accounts of prophets being killed for delivering God's message (<a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a>).and take his inheritance.’ The desire to take the inheritance reflects the tenants' greed and usurpation of authority. It symbolizes the religious leaders' attempt to seize control of God's kingdom for themselves, rejecting the rightful heir, Jesus. This act of rebellion against God's plan is reminiscent of Satan's original rebellion and the ongoing spiritual battle for dominion over God's creation (<a href="/isaiah/14-12.htm">Isaiah 14:12-14</a>). The inheritance ultimately points to the kingdom of God, which Jesus came to establish and which the religious leaders sought to control for their own purposes.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/tenants.htm">Tenants</a> These are the individuals who were entrusted with the care of the vineyard. In the parable, they represent the religious leaders of Israel who were given the responsibility to lead and care for God's people. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_son.htm">The Son</a> This figure represents Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was sent by the Father. The tenants' plot to kill the son symbolizes the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus by the religious leaders. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_vineyard.htm">The Vineyard</a> This is a metaphor for the kingdom of God or Israel. It is a place of growth and fruitfulness, entrusted to the tenants to manage. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_heir.htm">The Heir</a> The son is identified as the heir, indicating his rightful ownership and authority over the vineyard. This points to Jesus' divine authority and his role as the rightful King and Messiah. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_inheritance.htm">The Inheritance</a> This refers to the blessings and promises of God, which the tenants sought to seize unlawfully. It symbolizes the spiritual inheritance that comes through Christ.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/r/rejection_of_authority.htm">Rejection of Authority</a> The tenants' actions reflect a rejection of rightful authority. We must examine our own lives to ensure we are not rejecting Christ's authority in our decisions and actions. <a href="/topical/s/stewardship_and_accountability.htm">Stewardship and Accountability</a> The parable reminds us of our responsibility as stewards of what God has entrusted to us. We are accountable for how we manage our time, talents, and resources. <a href="/topical/r/recognizing_jesus_as_heir.htm">Recognizing Jesus as Heir</a> Acknowledge Jesus as the rightful heir and King in our lives. This involves submitting to His lordship and aligning our lives with His will. <a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_rejection.htm">Consequences of Rejection</a> The parable warns of the severe consequences of rejecting Christ. It is a call to repentance and faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord. <a href="/topical/g/god's_patience_and_justice.htm">God's Patience and Justice</a> The sending of the son after the servants shows God's patience, but the eventual judgment on the tenants highlights His justice. We should not presume upon God's patience but respond to His call today.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 21</a> <a href="/q/what_is_an_heir_in_the_bible.htm">What does being an heir mean in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_jesus'_genealogies.htm">How do we reconcile different genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_judah_call_tamar_'righteous'.htm">In Genesis 38:25-26, why does Judah suddenly shift from condemning Tamar to declaring her 'more righteous' than he is, without any direct divine intervention or clear moral explanation?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_luke's_and_matthew's_genealogies_differ.htm">Luke 3:23-38 - Why does Luke's genealogy of Jesus differ significantly from Matthew's, prompting concerns about historical accuracy?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(38) This is the heir.--What we learn elsewhere enables us to understand the feelings with which the priests and scribes must have heard these words. Already had Caiaphas given the counsel that one man should die for the people (<a href="/john/11-49.htm" title="And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said to them, You know nothing at all,">John 11:49</a>), while among those who knew it, and did not protest, were many who believed on Him, and yet, through fear of the Pharisees, were not confessed disciples (<a href="/john/12-42.htm" title="Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:">John 12:42</a>). The words of the parable showed that they stood face to face with One who knew the secrets of their hearts, and had not deceived Himself as to the issue of the conflict in which He was now engaged.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 38. - When the husbandmen saw the Son. As soon as they recognized this new and important messenger. This is the great element in the guilt of his rejection. They might have had the same consciousness of Christ's Divine mission as Nicodemus (<a href="/john/3-2.htm">John 3:2</a>), having possessed the same opportunities of judging. Ancient prophecy, the signs of the times, the miracles and teaching of Christ, the testimony of the Baptist, pointed to one evident conclusion; evidence had been accumulating on all sides. A latent feeling had grown up that he was the Messiah (see <a href="/john/11-49.htm">John 11:49-52</a>), and it was obstinate prejudice and perversity alone that prevented his open acknowledgment. "If I had not come and spoken unto them," said Christ, "they had not had sin; but now they have no cloke for their sin" (<a href="/john/15-22.htm">John 15:22</a>; comp. <a href="/john/9-41.htm">John 9:41</a>). They said among themselves. They plotted his destruction (see <a href="/john/11-53.htm">John 11:53</a>). We are reminded of the conspiracy against Joseph, his father's well belowed son (<a href="/genesis/37-20.htm">Genesis 37:20</a>). Let us seize on (κατάσχωμεν, take possession of, keep as our own) his inheritance. It would have been a wild and ignorant scheme of the husbandmen to consider that by murdering the heir they could obtain and hold possession of the vineyard. Here the parable bursts from the allegorical form, and becomes history and prophecy. In fact, the possession which the rulers coveted was supremacy over the minds and consciences of men; they wished to lord it over God's heritage; to retain their rights and prerogatives in the present system. This ambition Christ's teaching and action entirely overthrew. They felt no security in their possession of authority while he was present and working in their midst. Were he removed, their position would be safe, their claims undisputed. Hence their conspiracy and its result - a result very far from what they expected. They had their own way, but their gain was ruin. Says St. Augustine, "Ut possiderent, occiderunt; et quia occiderunt, perdiderunt." <a href="/commentaries/matthew/21-38.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But when δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. the Οἱ (Hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. tenants γεωργοὶ (geōrgoi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1092.htm">Strong's 1092: </a> From ge and the base of ergon; a land-worker, i.e. Farmer. saw ἰδόντες (idontes) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. son, υἱὸν (huion) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5207.htm">Strong's 5207: </a> A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship. they said εἶπον (eipon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. to ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. themselves, ἑαυτοῖς (heautois) Reflexive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1438.htm">Strong's 1438: </a> Himself, herself, itself. ‘This Οὗτός (Houtos) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. heir; κληρονόμος (klēronomos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2818.htm">Strong's 2818: </a> From kleros and the base of nomos (reflexively) getting by apportionment); a sharer by lot, i.e. Inheritor; by implication, a possessor. come, δεῦτε (deute) Verb - Imperative - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1205.htm">Strong's 1205: </a> Come hither, come, hither, an exclamatory word. From deuro and an imperative form of eimi; come hither! let us kill ἀποκτείνωμεν (apokteinōmen) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_615.htm">Strong's 615: </a> To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy. him, αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. take σχῶμεν (schōmen) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. inheritance!? κληρονομίαν (klēronomian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2817.htm">Strong's 2817: </a> From kleronomos; heirship, i.e. a patrimony or a possession. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/21-38.htm">Matthew 21:38 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/21-38.htm">Matthew 21:38 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/21-38.htm">Matthew 21:38 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/21-38.htm">Matthew 21:38 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/21-38.htm">Matthew 21:38 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/21-38.htm">Matthew 21:38 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/21-38.htm">Matthew 21:38 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/21-38.htm">Matthew 21:38 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/21-38.htm">Matthew 21:38 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/21-38.htm">Matthew 21:38 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/21-38.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 21:38 But the farmers when they saw (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/21-37.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 21:37"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 21:37" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/21-39.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 21:39"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 21:39" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>