The Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen (Matthew 21:33-44)
Introduction (21:33): - This parable is also recorded by Luke (20:9-19)A. The householder [landowner] is God.1. God planted a people on this earth and called them His.B. The husbandmen are the Jewish leaders set forth to watch in the tower (Matthew 21:43).a. Deuteronomy 7:6-92. Through God’s planted people comes forth Christ.
b. Deuteronomy 10:12-15
c. I Chronicles 16:13-14
d. Isaiah 41:8-9a. Genesis 22:18 and Acts 3:24-26
b. Deuteronomy 18:15 (cf. Acts 3:20-22)“
c. Matthew 1:1
d. Hebrews 7:141. They were to keep the seed pure (Ezra 9:1-4; 10:10-12).
2. There was, set by God, a law that divided the Jew from the Gentile (Ephesians 2:14).
I. Many of the Jewish leaders had the “hate the messenger” mentality (21:34-36)A. In the Old Testament times the leaders rejected the prophets many times:1. I Kings 18:4B. This remained true in the New Testament times:
2. II Chronicles 36:15-16
3. Jeremiah 2:30
4. Jeremiah 7:23-26
5. Zechariah 1:4
6. Acts 7:521. They rejected John the Baptist (Luke 7:24-30).C. Notice a clear application of the result: (Matthew 23:29-39).
2. Jesus told His disciples what was in store for them (Matthew 10:16-17).
3. They rejected the great prophet of Nazareth (Matthew 27:1).
4. This continued with the Apostles (Acts 12:1-3).
5. Paul was delivered by Jewish leaders to the governor (Acts 24:1-7).
6. The Jews continued to beat their own who brought the good news (II Corinthians 11:24).
II. They rejected the Son of God (21:37-39)A. The prophets foretold that Christ would be rejected by His own people:III. In ignorance, they agreed with their own fate (21:40-44)1. Isaiah 53:3B. The prophets were right:
2. Psalms 118:221. Mark 8:31C. Notice a clear application of the result: (Matthew 23:29-39).
2. John 1:10-111. How many today hate the messenger?
2. How many today do not want to “hear it”?A. “He will miserably destroy those wicked men”1. According to the scriptures they judged rightly here:B. “And will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.”a. Matthew 10:32-332. We are sometimes good at judging the sins of others, yet fail to see those same sins in our lives (Matthew 7:1-5).
b. Acts 3:22-23
c. Hebrews 10:30-31
d. John 12:48; II Thessalonians 1:8-9
3. This was the case with David when Nathaniel addressed David's sins revolving around his adulterous relationship (II Samuel 12:1-14).1. Again, they make a proper conclusion:C. V. 42 “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?”a. Acts 13:46-47
b. Acts 18:5-61. This reference is to Jesus (Acts 4:10-12).
2. Jesus charged them of being ignorant of the scriptures, for they should have searched and known.a. To know of the Lord, His will, His promise, etc. – one must search the scriptures (John 5:39).3. V. 43-44 - The choice of falling on the stone or the stone falling on you: Get in line with Christ as the other stones in a foundation of a building line up with the cornerstone, or be crushed by Christ.
b. Just as when one of the Sadducees tried to trick Jesus about marriage in Heaven, these men would have not erred had they known the word of God (Matthew 22:29).a. Isaiah 8:14-15
b. (CF. Romans 9:30-33; I Peter 2:6-8).
Conclusion: They perceived He spoke of them (21:45-46).A. That old “throw and rock into a pack of dogs and the one you hit is the one that jumps up and yelps…”1. People know when they are guilty.B. Today we are God’s people who are entrusted to carry out His work on earth (I Peter 2:9-10).
2. The word of God cuts to the heart (Hebrews 4:12).1. Let us protect the Lord’s church.
2. Let us carry His Gospel into the world (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15-16).
3. Let us not deny the Lord that bought us, named us, and promises to save us.
© 2004 May be used if permission by author is granted and proper acknowledgment as to the authorship of this material is made. In other words, preachers do your own work. Use this as a tool for your own work if such is helpful! – B.A.Y.