Commentaries:
People's Commentary (NT)
Matthew 21:33
Hear another parable. Compare Mark 12:1-12 Lu 20:9-19. The second
parable is also a rebuke of the ruling classes that were seeking his
death.
There was a certain householder. The head of a family is here
selected to represent God. In what follows is portrayed the blessings
he had bestowed and the care he had taken of Israel.
Which planted a vineyard. Our Lord draws, as was his wont, his
illustration from common life and familiar objects. Palestine was
emphatically a vine-growing country.
And hedged it around. God in his care not only planted Israel,
but "hedged" the nation around by the law which separated it from the
Gentiles.
Digged a winepress in it. The wine-press consisted of two parts:
(1) the press, or trough, above, in which the grapes were placed and
there trodden by the feet; (2) a smaller trough, into which the
expressed juice flowed through a hole. Here the smaller trough, which
was "digged" out of the earth or rock and then lined with masonry, is
put for the whole apparatus, and is called a "wine FAT".
Built a tower. Towers were erected in vineyards for the
accommodation of keepers, who defended the vineyards from thieves and
from troublesome animals. The hedge and wine-press and tower represent
the various advantages conferred by God upon the Jewish people
(Romans 9:4).
Let it out to vinedressers. Representing the rulers of the Jews,
and also the people as a whole, a nation, are included.
Went into a far country. Better, "into another country", as in the
Revised Version. "For a long while" (or time), adds Luke 20:9 It means
that God left Israel to itself to see what use it would make of the
favors he had bestowed.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Matthew 21:33
Mark 12:1
Luke 20:9-19
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