Matthew 21:33-46

 

Fruitbearing – Hidden by most of the English translations is ho kairos ton karpon, "the season of fruit" (vv. 37, 41); Matthew’s use of this phrase, doubly noteworthy by its repetition, seems to equate fruitbearing with any group, community or individual who brings forth authentic fruits pf righteousness and justice. Earlier we see fruitlessness (21:18-22) but here we have a fruitful vineyard, but fruitlessness on behalf of tenants.

Landowner-Become-Lord – The landowner of 21:33 becomes the kurios "Lord" who metes out justice (21:40) . . .

Matthew changes the Markan verb to have the Lord "come," as at the parousia (cf., e.g., 25:31). At this point Matthew restructures the Markan form to have Jesus pose a question (as in v. 28;) that will allow the Jewish leaders to pronounce their own condemnation . . . they declare that God will destroy the wicked tenants and give the vineyard to other tenants. Matthew understands this as the destruction of Jerusalem and the growth of the church of Jews and Gentiles in unbelieving Israel’s place. He then adds words that return the pronouncement to his principal charge, that the "tenants" have not given to their Lord the "fruit" (works of justice) he requires. [1]

 

If you were an absentee landlord and had to select trustworthy tenants, what would you seek?

• Jesus’ indicts the religious leaders of acting like landowners, when they are stewards of the vineyard. What areas of your own life are you convicted of doing the same? How does our religious institutions become landowners instead of stewards of God’s charge?
• How can we become more fruitful? Better stewards?

 

A homily on this passage is included in this week’s DPS Sermon-Builder section.

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[1] New Interpreters’ Bible I (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1994).