The Meaning of Matthew 21:33 Explained

Matthew 21:33

KJV: Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:

YLT: 'Hear ye another simile: There was a certain man, a householder, who planted a vineyard, and did put a hedge round it, and digged in it a wine-press, and built a tower, and gave it out to husbandmen, and went abroad.

Darby: Hear another parable: There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and made a fence round it, and dug a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and left the country.

ASV: Hear another parable: There was a man that was a householder, who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Hear  another  parable:  There was  a certain  householder,  which  planted  a vineyard,  and  hedged  it  round about,  and  digged  a winepress  in  it,  and  built  a tower,  and  let  it  out  to husbandmen,  and  went into a far country: 

What does Matthew 21:33 Mean?

Context Summary

Matthew 21:33-46 - Rejecters Themselves Rejected
This parable is based on Isaiah 5:1-7. The husbandmen are the religious leaders of the people. The vineyard is of course the Hebrew nation. The servants sent for the produce refer to the prophets and others raised up from time to time to speak for God and to demand "fruits meet for repentance." Notice that when He speaks of the mission of the Son, our Lord severs Himself, by the sharpest possible line, from all merely human messengers and claims sonship in the most intimate and lofty sense of the word.
It is said that in the building of Solomon's Temple, a curiously shaped stone, sent from the quarry, was left to lie for many months in the entangled undergrowth, till suddenly its fitness was discovered for a place in the Temple walls. Then it was put into its right position, which it occupied thenceforward. This incident may be referred to in Psalms 118:22. How truly it portrays men's treatment of our Lord! Is He your corner-stone?
The questions on Section 36-74, to be found on pp. 73-75, will serve as a review at this point. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 21

1  Jesus rides into Jerusalem upon a donkey
12  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

Greek Commentary for Matthew 21:33

A hedge [πραγμον]
Or fence as a protection against wild beasts. [source]
Digged a winepress [ωρυχεν ληνον]
Out of the solid rock to hold the grapes and wine as they were crushed. Such wine-vats are to be seen today in Palestine.Built a tower (ωικοδομησεν πυργον — ōikodomēsen purgon). This for the vinedressers and watchmen (2 Chronicles 26:10). Utmost care was thus taken. Note “a booth in a vineyard” (Isaiah 1:8). See also Isaiah 24:20; Job 27:18. Let it out (εχεδετο εχεδοτο — exedeto exedoto the usual form). For hire, the terms not being given. The lease allowed three forms, money-rent, a proportion of the crop, or a definite amount of the produce whether it was a good or bad year. Probably the last form is that contemplated here. [source]
Built a tower [ωικοδομησεν πυργον]
This for the vinedressers and watchmen (2 Chronicles 26:10). Utmost care was thus taken. Note “a booth in a vineyard” (Isaiah 1:8). See also Isaiah 24:20; Job 27:18. Let it out For hire, the terms not being given. The lease allowed three forms, money-rent, a proportion of the crop, or a definite amount of the produce whether it was a good or bad year. Probably the last form is that contemplated here. [source]
Hedged it round about [φραγμὸν αὐτῷ περιέθηκεν]
Rev., more literally, set a hedge about it; possibly of the thorny wild aloe, common in the East. [source]
Digged a wine-press [ὤρυξεν ληνὸν]
In Isaiah 5:1, Isaiah 5:2, which this parable at once recalls, the Hebrew word rendered by the Septuagint and here digged, is hewed out, i.e., from the solid rock. “Above the road on our left are the outlines of a wine-fat, one of the most complete and best preserved in the country. Here is the upper basin where the grapes were trodden and pressed. A narrow channel cut in the rock conveyed the juice into the lower basin, where it was allowed to settle; from there it was drawn off into a third and smaller basin. There is no mistaking the purpose for which those basins were excavated in the solid rock” (Thomson, “Land and Book”). [source]
A tower [πύργον]
For watchmen. Stanley (“Sinai and Palestine”) describes the ruins of vineyards in Judea as enclosures of loose stones, with the square gray tower at the corner of each. Allusions to these watching-places, temporary and permanent, are frequent in Scripture. Thus, “a booth in vineyard ” (Isaiah 1:8). “The earth moveth to and fro like a hammock ” (so Cheyne on Isaiah; A. V., cottage; Rev., hut )a vineyard-watchman's deserted hammock tossed to and fro by the storm (Isaiah 24:20). So Job speaks of a booth which the keeper of a vineyard runneth up (Job 27:18), a hut made of sticks and hung with mats, erected only for the harvest season on the field or vineyard, for the watchman who spreads his rude bed upon its high platform, and mounts guard against the robber and the beast. In Spain, where, especially in the South, the Orient has left its mark, not only upon architecture but also upon agricultural implements and methods, Archbishop Trench says that he has observed similar temporary structures erected for watch men in the vineyards. The tower alluded to in this passage would seem to have been of a more permanent character (see Stanley above), and some have thought that it was intended not only for watching, but as a storehouse for the wine and a lodging for the workmen. [source]
Let it out [ἐξέδετο]
“There were three modes of dealing with land. According to one of these, the laborers employed received a certain portion of the fruits, say a third or a fourth of the produce. The other two modes were, either that the tenant paid a money-rent to the proprietor, or else that he agreed to give the owner a definite amount of the produce, whether the harvest had been good or bad. Such leases were given by the year or for life; sometimes the lease was even hereditary, passing from father to son. There can scarcely be a doubt that it is the latter kind of lease which is referred to in the parable: the lessees being bound to give the owner a certain amount of fruits in their season” (Edersheim, “Life and Times of Jesus”). Compare Matthew 21:34, and Mark 12:2, “that he might receive of the fruits” ( ἀπὸ τῶν καρπῶν )i1. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 21:33

Mark 12:1 He began to speak unto them in parables [ηρχατο αυτοις εν παραβολαις λαλειν]
Mark‘s common idiom again. He does not mean that this was the beginning of Christ‘s use of parables See note on Mark 4:2), but simply that his teaching on this occasion took the parabolic turn. “The circumstances called forth the parabolic mood, that of one whose heart is chilled, and whose spirit is saddened by a sense of loneliness, and who, retiring within himself, by a process of reflection, frames for his thoughts forms which half conceal, half reveal them” (Bruce). Mark does not give the Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32) nor that of the Marriage Feast of the King‘s Son (Matthew 22:1-14). He gives here the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen. Also in Matthew 21:33-46 and Luke 20:9-19. See discussion in Matthew. Matthew 21:33 calls the man “a householder” (οικοδεσποτης — oikodespotēs). [source]
Luke 20:9 Let it out []
See on Matthew 21:33. [source]
Luke 14:23 Hedges [φραγμοὺς]
See on Matthew 21:33. It may mean either a hedge, or a place enclosed with a hedge. Here the hedges beside which vagrants rest. [source]
Luke 14:28 Build a tower [πυργον οικοδομησαι]
A common metaphor, either a tower in the city wall like that by the Pool of Siloam (Luke 13:4) or a watchtower in a vineyard (Matthew 21:33) or a tower-shaped building for refuge or ornament as here. This parable of the rash builder has the lesson of counting the cost. [source]
Luke 20:9 Vineyard [αμπελωνα]
Late word from αμπελος — ampelos (vine), place of vines. So in Mark 12:1; Matthew 21:33. [source]
Luke 15:13 Took his journey [απεδημησεν]
First aorist active indicative of αποδημεω — apodēmeō (from αποδημος — apodēmos away from home). Common verb. In the N.T. here and Matthew 21:33; Matthew 25:14; Mark 12:1; Luke 20:9. He burned all his bridges behind him, gathering together all that he had.Wasted (διεσκορπισεν — dieskorpisen). First aorist active indicative of διασκορπιζω — diaskorpizō a somewhat rare verb, the very opposite of “gathered together” (συναγογων — sunagogōn). More exactly he scattered his property. It is the word used of winnowing grain (Matthew 25:24).With riotous living Living dissolutely or profligately. The late adverb ασωτως — asōtōs (only here in the N.T.) from the common adjective ασωτος — asōtos (α — a privative and σωζω — sōzō), one that cannot be saved, one who does not save, a spendthrift, an abandoned man, a profligate, a prodigal. He went the limit of sinful excesses. It makes sense taken actively or passively (prodigus or perditus), active probably here. [source]
John 15:1 Husbandman [γεωργός]
From γῆ , the earth, and ἔργω , to work. The vine-dresser is ἀμπελουργός , occurring only at Luke 13:7; but the office of the vine-dresser is a subordinate one, while γεωργός may indicate the proprietor. See 2 Chronicles 26:10(Sept.), where the word is applied to King Uzziah. So of Noah, Genesis 9:20. In Matthew 21:33-41, the γεωργοὶ represent the chiefs and leaders of the Jews. Wyc., an earth-tiller. [source]
John 15:1 The true vine [ἡ ἄμπελος ἡ ἀληθινὴ]
Literally, the vine, the true (vine). True, genuine, answering to the perfect ideal. See on John 1:9. The vine was a symbol of the ancient church. See the passages cited above, and Hosea 10:1; Matthew 21:33; Luke 13:6. [source]
1 Corinthians 12:23 We bestow [περιτίθεμεν]
Elsewhere in the New Testament the word is used, without exception, of encircling with something; either putting on clothing, as Matthew 27:28; or surrounding with a fence, as Matthew 21:33; or of the sponge placed round the reed, as Mark 15:36; John 19:29. So evidently here. Rev., in margin, put on. The more abundant honor is shown by the care in clothing. [source]
Hebrews 11:33 Stopped [ἔφραξαν]
The verb means to fence in; block up. Rare in N.T. See Romans 3:19; 2 Corinthians 11:10, and comp. φραγμός afence, Matthew 21:33; Ephesians 2:14. Occasionally in lxx, as Job 38:8; Proverbs 21:13; Zechariah 14:5. The reference is no doubt to Daniel, Daniel 6:22; comp. 1 Maccabees 2:60. [source]
James 5:7 Until the coming of the Lord [ο γεωργος]
The second coming of Christ he means, the regular phrase here and in James 5:8 for that idea (Matthew 24:3, Matthew 24:37, Matthew 24:39; 1 Thessalonians 2:19, etc.).The husbandman (γη εργω — ho geōrgos). The worker in the ground (εκδεχεται — gēεκδεχομαι — ergō) as in Matthew 21:33.Waiteth for Present middle indicative of τιμη — ekdechomai old verb for eager expectation as in Acts 17:16.Precious (μακροτυμων επ αυτωι — timion). Old adjective from μακροτυμεω — timē (honor, price), dear to the farmer because of his toil for it. See 1 Peter 1:19.Being patient over it Present active participle of εως — makrothumeō just used in the exhortation, picturing the farmer longing and hoping over his precious crop (cf. Luke 18:7 of God).Until it receive (λαμβανω — heōs labēi). Temporal clause of the future with προμον και οπσιμον — heōs and the second aorist active subjunctive of υετον — lambanō vividly describing the farmer‘s hopes and patience.The early and latter rain The word for rain (πρω — hueton Acts 14:17) is absent from the best MSS. The adjective προμος — pro(from πρως — prōearly) occurs here only in N.T., though old in the form οπσιμον — proand οπσε — prōSee Deuteronomy 11:14; Jeremiah 5:24, etc. for these terms for the early rain in October or November for the germination of the grain, and the latter rain (opsimon from opse late, here only in N.T.) in April and May for maturing the grain. [source]
James 5:7 The husbandman [γη εργω]
The worker in the ground (εκδεχεται — gēεκδεχομαι — ergō) as in Matthew 21:33. [source]
2 Peter 2:21 Not to have known [μη επεγνωκεναι]
Perfect active infinitive of επιγινωσκω — epiginōskō (cf. επιγνωσει — epignōsei 2 Peter 2:20) to know fully.The way of righteousness (την οδον της δικαιοσυνης — tēn hodon tēs dikaiosunēs). For the phrase see Matthew 21:33, also the way of truth (2 Peter 2:2), the straight way (2 Peter 2:15).After knowing it Second aorist active participle of επιγινωσκω — epiginōskō (just used) in the dative plural agreeing with αυτοις — autois (for them).To turn back (υποστρεπσαι — hupostrepsai). First aorist active infinitive of υποστρεπω — hupostrephō old and common verb, to turn back, to return.From Out of. So in Acts 12:25 with υποστρεπω — hupostrephō With ablative case. See Romans 7:12 for αγια — hagia applied to η εντολη — hē entolē (cf. 1 Timothy 6:14). 2 Peter strikes a high ethical note (2 Peter 1:5.).Delivered (παραδοτεισης — paradotheisēs). First aorist passive participle feminine ablative singular of παραδιδωμι — paradidōmi f0). [source]
2 Peter 2:21 The way of righteousness [την οδον της δικαιοσυνης]
For the phrase see Matthew 21:33, also the way of truth (2 Peter 2:2), the straight way (2 Peter 2:15). [source]
Revelation 14:19 The great wine-press [τὴν ληὸν τὸν μέγαν]
The Greek student will note the masculine adjective with the feminine noun, possibly because the gender of the noun is doubtful. The Rev., in rendering more literally, is more forcible: the wine-press, the great wine-press. See on Matthew 21:33. [source]
Revelation 14:19 And cast it [εβαλεν]
Repeating εβαλεν — ebalen and referring to αμπελον — ampelon (vintage) just before.Into the winepress the great winepress (εις την ληνον τον μεγαν — eis tēn lēnon ton megan). Ληνος — Lēnos is either feminine as in Revelation 14:20; Revelation 19:15, or masculine sometimes in ancient Greek. Here we have both genders, a solecism frequent in the Apocalypse (Revelation 21:14 το τειχος εχων — to teichos echōn). See Matthew 21:33. For this metaphor of God s wrath see Revelation 14:10; Revelation 15:1, Revelation 15:7; Revelation 16:1, Revelation 16:19; Revelation 19:15. [source]
Revelation 14:19 Into the winepress the great winepress [εις την ληνον τον μεγαν]
Ληνος — Lēnos is either feminine as in Revelation 14:20; Revelation 19:15, or masculine sometimes in ancient Greek. Here we have both genders, a solecism frequent in the Apocalypse (Revelation 21:14 το τειχος εχων — to teichos echōn). See Matthew 21:33. For this metaphor of God s wrath see Revelation 14:10; Revelation 15:1, Revelation 15:7; Revelation 16:1, Revelation 16:19; Revelation 19:15. [source]
Revelation 14:19 Gathered [ετρυγησεν]
Like ετεριστη — etheristhē in Revelation 14:16, in obedience to the instructions in Revelation 14:18 “The vine of the earth.” Here αμπελος — ampelos is used for the enemies of Christ collectively pictured.And cast it Repeating εβαλεν — ebalen and referring to αμπελον — ampelon (vintage) just before.Into the winepress the great winepress (εις την ληνον τον μεγαν — eis tēn lēnon ton megan). Ληνος — Lēnos is either feminine as in Revelation 14:20; Revelation 19:15, or masculine sometimes in ancient Greek. Here we have both genders, a solecism frequent in the Apocalypse (Revelation 21:14 το τειχος εχων — to teichos echōn). See Matthew 21:33. For this metaphor of God s wrath see Revelation 14:10; Revelation 15:1, Revelation 15:7; Revelation 16:1, Revelation 16:19; Revelation 19:15. [source]

What do the individual words in Matthew 21:33 mean?

Another parable hear A man there was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and a fence it placed around dug in a winepress built a tower rented out it to farmers traveled abroad
Ἄλλην παραβολὴν ἀκούσατε Ἄνθρωπος ἦν οἰκοδεσπότης ὅστις ἐφύτευσεν ἀμπελῶνα καὶ φραγμὸν αὐτῷ περιέθηκεν ὤρυξεν ἐν ληνὸν ᾠκοδόμησεν πύργον ἐξέδετο αὐτὸν γεωργοῖς ἀπεδήμησεν

Ἄλλην  Another 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἄλλος  
Sense: another, other.
παραβολὴν  parable 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: παραβολή  
Sense: a placing of one thing by the side of another, juxtaposition, as of ships in battle.
ἀκούσατε  hear 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἀκουστός 
Sense: to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf.
Ἄνθρωπος  A  man 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.
ἦν  there  was 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
οἰκοδεσπότης  a  master  of  a  house 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: οἰκοδεσπότης  
Sense: master of the house, householder.
ἐφύτευσεν  planted 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: φυτεύω  
Sense: to plant.
ἀμπελῶνα  a  vineyard 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀμπελών  
Sense: a vineyard.
φραγμὸν  a  fence 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: φραγμός  
Sense: a hedge, a fence.
περιέθηκεν  placed  around 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: περιτίθημι  
Sense: to place around, set about.
ὤρυξεν  dug 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ὀρύσσω  
Sense: to dig.
ληνὸν  a  winepress 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ληνός  
Sense: a tub or trough shaped receptacle, vat, in which grapes are trodden.
ᾠκοδόμησεν  built 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: οἰκοδομέω 
Sense: to build a house, erect a building.
πύργον  a  tower 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: πύργος  
Sense: a tower.
ἐξέδετο  rented  out 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐκδίδωμι  
Sense: to give out of one’s house, power, hand, stores.
γεωργοῖς  to  farmers 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: γεωργός  
Sense: a husbandman, tiller of the soil, a vine dresser.
ἀπεδήμησεν  traveled  abroad 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀποδημέω  
Sense: to go away into foreign parts, go abroad.