Matthew 21:40
What does Matthew 21:40 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 21:40 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 21:40 means
Jesus concluded the narrative portion of the parable by posing a direct question to His listeners: "When therefore the lord of the vineyard shall come, what will he do unto those husbandmen?" This question forces His audience, particularly the chief priests and elders, to pronounce judgment upon themselves, unwittingly condemning their own future actions against Him. It prepares them for the impending divine consequence.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000When therefore the lord of the vineyard shall come, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
KJV
King James Version · 1611When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901When therefore the lord of the vineyard shall come, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949When, then, the lord of the vine-garden comes, what will he do to those workmen?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862whenever therefore the lord of the vineyard may come, what will he do to these husbandmen?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752When therefore the lord of the vineyard shall come, what will he do to those husbandmen?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890When therefore the lord of the vineyard comes, what shall he do to those husbandmen?
Context
This verse presents Jesus' culminating question to His audience, directly following the murder of the householder's son. This rhetorical question forces the listeners to consider the just consequences of the tenants' actions, immediately leading to their self-condemning answer. It serves to draw out their own judgment, setting the stage for Jesus' explicit application of the parable.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 10:29
of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged 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?
- Luke 20:15
And they cast him forth out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
- Mark 12:9
What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.
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