Matthew 21:41

“He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and will rent out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him his share of the fruit at harvest time.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus asks His listeners what a returning vineyard owner will do to abusive tenants, and they reply by condemning the wicked men and endorsing the transfer of the vineyard to new stewards.

The words — κακοὺς (kakous) marks the wretches who will face a wretched end, while ἀπολέσει (apolesei) declares the owner will destroy them.

The thread — The vineyard judgment motif runs into Isaiah 5:5, the rejected stone theme continues in Matthew 21:42, and the transfer of stewardship extends into Matthew 21:43 and Acts 18:6.

Why it lands — The text demands acknowledgment that unfaithful stewards will face destruction and that divine responsibility shifts to those who yield the required fruit.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

Cross-references

Acts 18:6 But when they opposed and insulted him, he shook out his garments and told them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
Matthew 21:43 Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.
Isaiah 5:5 Now I will tell you what I am about to do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be consumed; I will tear down its wall, and it will be trampled.
Matthew 22:6 The rest seized his servants, mistreated them, and killed them.
Acts 28:28 Be advised, therefore, that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”
Leviticus 26:14 If, however, you fail to obey Me and to carry out all these commandments,
Deuteronomy 28:59 He will bring upon you and your descendants extraordinary disasters, severe and lasting plagues, and terrible and chronic sicknesses.
Psalms 2:4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord taunts them.
Psalms 2:9 You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery.”
Isaiah 49:5 And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, that Israel might be gathered to Him—for I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and My God is My strength—