New International Version“Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”
New Living Translation“When the owner of the vineyard returns,” Jesus asked, “what do you think he will do to those farmers?”
English Standard VersionWhen therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”
Berean Standard BibleTherefore, when the owner of the vineyard returns, what will he do to those tenants?”
Berean Literal BibleTherefore when the master of the vineyard shall come, what will he do to those farmers?"
King James BibleWhen the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
New King James Version“Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?”
New American Standard BibleTherefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-growers?”
NASB 1995“Therefore when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-growers?”
NASB 1977“Therefore when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-growers?”
Legacy Standard BibleTherefore when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-growers?”
Amplified BibleNow when the owner of the vineyard comes back, what will he do to those tenants?”
Christian Standard BibleTherefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers? ”
Holman Christian Standard BibleTherefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?"”
American Standard VersionWhen therefore the lord of the vineyard shall come, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
Contemporary English VersionJesus asked, "When the owner of that vineyard comes, what do you suppose he will do to those renters?"
English Revised VersionWhen therefore the lord of the vineyard shall come, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
GOD'S WORD® Translation"Now, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those workers?"
Good News Translation"Now, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" Jesus asked.
International Standard VersionNow when the owner of the vineyard returns, what will he do to those farmers?"
NET BibleNow when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?"
New Heart English BibleWhen therefore the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?"
Webster's Bible TranslationWhen therefore the Lord of the vineyard cometh, what will he do to those husbandmen?
Weymouth New TestamentWhen then the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-dressers?" Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleTherefore, when the owner of the vineyard returns, what will he do to those tenants?”
World English BibleWhen therefore the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionwhenever therefore the lord of the vineyard may come, what will he do to these farmers?”
Berean Literal BibleTherefore when the master of the vineyard shall come, what will he do to those farmers?"
Young's Literal Translation whenever therefore the lord of the vineyard may come, what will he do to these husbandmen?'
Smith's Literal TranslationWhen, therefore, the lord of the vineyard should come, what will he do to those farmers? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhen therefore the lord of the vineyard shall come, what will he do to those husbandmen?
Catholic Public Domain VersionTherefore, when the lord of the vineyard arrives, what will he do to those farmers?”
New American BibleWhat will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?”
New Revised Standard VersionNow when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhen therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those laborers?
Aramaic Bible in Plain English“Therefore, when the Lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those laborers?” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentTherefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine dressers?
Godbey New TestamentThen when the lord of the vine-yard may come, what will he do to those husbandmen?
Haweis New Testament
When therefore the master of the vineyard cometh, what will he do with these husbandmen?
Mace New Testament
when the master therefore of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?
Weymouth New Testament
When then the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-dressers?"
Worrell New Testament
When, therefore, the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those husband-men?"
Worsley New Testament
When therefore the lord of the vineyard cometh, what will he do to those husbandmen?
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Parable of the Wicked Tenants… 39So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40Therefore,whentheownerof thevineyardreturns,whatwill he doto thosetenants?”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.”…
Cross References Mark 12:9What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.
Luke 20:15-16So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? / He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” And when the people heard this, they said, “May such a thing never happen!”
Isaiah 5:1-7I 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. ...
Psalm 118:22-23The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. / This is from the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
Acts 4:11This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
1 Peter 2:7To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”
Romans 9:30-33What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; / but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. / Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, ...
Matthew 8:12But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matthew 22:7The king was enraged, and he sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city.
Matthew 23:37-38O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! / Look, your house is left to you desolate.
John 15:1-8“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. / He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. / You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ...
Hebrews 3:12-19See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God. / But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. / We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the end the assurance we had at first. ...
Jeremiah 12:10Many shepherds have destroyed My vineyard; they have trampled My plot of ground. They have turned My pleasant field into a desolate wasteland.
Ezekiel 19:10-14Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard, planted by the water; it was fruitful and full of branches because of the abundant waters. / It had strong branches, fit for a ruler’s scepter. It towered high above the thick branches, conspicuous for its height and for its dense foliage. / But it was uprooted in fury, cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong branches were stripped off and they withered; the fire consumed them. ...
Hosea 9:10I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fathers as the firstfruits of the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to Shame; so they became as detestable as the thing they loved.
Treasury of Scripture When the lord therefore of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers? what. Mark 12:9 What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. Luke 20:15,16 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killedhim. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? … Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? Jump to Previous FarmersHusbandmenOwnerTenantsVine-DressersVine-GardenVine-GrowersVineyardWheneverWorkmenJump to Next FarmersHusbandmenOwnerTenantsVine-DressersVine-GardenVine-GrowersVineyardWheneverWorkmenMatthew 21 1.Jesus rides into Jerusalem upon a donkey12.drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple;17.curses the fig tree;23.puts to silence the priests and elders,28.and rebukes them by the parable of the two sons,33.and the husbandmen who slew such as were sent to them.Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard returns,The word "therefore" connects this statement to the preceding parable of the wicked tenants. The "owner of the vineyard" symbolizes God, who is often depicted as a landowner or vineyard owner in biblical literature ( Isaiah 5:1-7). The vineyard represents Israel, God's chosen people. The concept of God returning is a common theme in Scripture, often associated with judgment and accountability ( Malachi 3:1-2). The return of the owner signifies a time of reckoning, reflecting the eschatological expectation of God's ultimate judgment. what will he do to those tenants?”
The "tenants" represent the religious leaders of Israel who were entrusted with the care of God's people but failed in their responsibilities. This question is rhetorical, prompting the audience to consider the justice and consequences of the tenants' actions. In the cultural context, tenant farming was common, and failure to deliver the produce to the owner would result in severe penalties. This mirrors the biblical principle of reaping what one sows (Galatians 6:7). The question foreshadows the judgment that will come upon those who reject God's messengers and ultimately His Son, Jesus Christ, who is the heir in the parable. This aligns with the prophetic warnings found throughout the Old Testament, where God promises to hold His people accountable for their unfaithfulness (Jeremiah 25:4-7). Persons / Places / Events 1. Owner of the VineyardRepresents God, who has entrusted His creation and His people to stewards. 2. VineyardSymbolizes Israel, God's chosen people, and by extension, the Kingdom of God. 3. TenantsThe religious leaders of Israel who were entrusted with the care of God's people but failed in their responsibilities. 4. Return of the OwnerRefers to God's judgment and the accountability that will be required from those who have been given stewardship. 5. Parable of the Wicked TenantsAn event where Jesus uses a parable to illustrate the failure of the religious leaders and the coming judgment. Teaching Points Stewardship and AccountabilityGod entrusts us with responsibilities, and we are accountable for how we manage them. Rejection of God's MessengersThe parable warns against rejecting those whom God sends to guide and correct us. Judgment and JusticeGod's justice will prevail, and those who misuse their authority will face consequences. Inclusion in God's KingdomThe parable foreshadows the opening of God's kingdom to all who believe, not just the original stewards. Faithfulness in LeadershipLeaders are called to be faithful stewards, caring for those under their charge with integrity and love. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Matthew 21:40?
2.How does Matthew 21:40 challenge us to recognize God's authority in our lives?
3.What does Matthew 21:40 reveal about God's expectations for stewardship and accountability?
4.How can Matthew 21:40 be connected to the parable of the talents?
5.In what ways does Matthew 21:40 encourage us to evaluate our spiritual fruitfulness?
6.How should Matthew 21:40 influence our understanding of divine justice and judgment?
7.What does Matthew 21:40 reveal about God's judgment and justice?
8.How does Matthew 21:40 challenge our understanding of divine authority?
9.What historical context is essential for interpreting Matthew 21:40?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 21?
11.Why did God's vineyard produce only wild grapes?
12.What parables did Jesus teach in the Bible?
13.Luke 20:9-16: How can a just God expect a different outcome after repeatedly sending messengers and then His Son to violent tenants?
14.Why should latecomers receive equal pay as early workers?What Does Matthew 21:40 Mean ThereforeThe word signals that Jesus is drawing a clear conclusion from the parable He has just told (Matthew 21:33-39). • The vineyard is a familiar Old Testament picture of Israel (Isaiah 5:1-7). • The evil tenants represent the religious leaders who rejected the Master’s servants (the prophets) and finally His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). • “Therefore” points to an inevitable consequence. Just as the landowner in the story must act, so God will act in real history. Scripture always moves from cause to consequence; “For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7).
when the owner of the vineyard returnsJesus speaks of the owner’s personal return, underscoring that God Himself will intervene, not merely send another emissary. • This return images the Lord’s coming day of reckoning (Matthew 16:27;James 5:7-9). • It affirms God’s patience has limits; after “He sent his son” (v. 37), there remains only the direct appearance of the Owner (Hebrews 10:26-31). • The literal expectation of God’s future judgment is woven through Scripture: “Behold, the Judge is standing at the door” (James 5:9).
what will he doAction follows presence. God’s holiness demands He respond to flagrant rebellion. • The tenants presumed the vineyard was theirs, echoing the leaders’ grip on religious power (Luke 20:14-16). • Judgment and loss replace privilege and control. “The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit” (Matthew 21:43). • Justice is both punitive and redemptive—He vindicates His servants and secures the vineyard’s fruitfulness (Romans 2:6-8;Revelation 19:1-2).
to those tenants?The question forces the listening crowd—and every reader—to declare the verdict that God Himself will carry out (v. 41). • “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end” (Matthew 21:41). The leaders’ fate is sealed by their own admission. • The vineyard is then leased “to other tenants who will give him his share” (v. 41), pointing to the faithful remnant of Israel and the inclusion of believing Gentiles (Acts 13:46-48;1 Peter 2:9-10). • Accountability is personal: “Each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). God’s ownership rights are non-negotiable.
summaryMatthew 21:40 presses home the certainty of divine judgment. Because God truly owns the vineyard—His people and His world—He will personally return, confront rebellion, strip the unfaithful of their stewardship, and entrust His kingdom to those who honor His Son. The verse calls believers to faithful, fruitful service, confident that the Lord’s justice and plan will prevail exactly as Scripture declares. Verse 40. - When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh;when therefore the lord, etc. Christ asks his hearers, who are both rulers and people, what in their opinion will be the course taken by the lord when he visits his vineyard, knowing all that has transpired. So Isaiah ( Isaiah 5:3) makes the people give the verdict: "And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Therefore,οὖν(oun)Conjunction
Strong's 3767:Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.whenὍταν(Hotan)Conjunction
Strong's 3752:When, whenever. From hote and an; whenever; also causatively inasmuch as.theὁ(ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.ownerκύριος(kyrios)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962:Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.of theτοῦ(tou)Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.vineyardἀμπελῶνος(ampelōnos)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 290:A vineyard. From ampelos; a vineyard.returns,ἔλθῃ(elthē)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2064:To come, go.whatτί(ti)Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101:Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.will he doποιήσει(poiēsei)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4160:(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.to thoseἐκείνοις(ekeinois)Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1565:That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.tenants?”γεωργοῖς(geōrgois)Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1092:From ge and the base of ergon; a land-worker, i.e. Farmer.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 21:40 When therefore the lord of the vineyard (Matt. Mat Mt) |
