Matthew 21:41
What does Matthew 21:41 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 21:41 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 21:41 means
The chief priests and elders, still not fully grasping that Jesus was speaking of them, answered correctly: the householder would "miserably destroy those miserable men" and entrust the vineyard to other, faithful husbandmen. Their self-condemnation pronounced God's coming judgment on themselves for rejecting His Son and foreshadowed the transfer of the Kingdom of God from them to others who would bear fruit.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will let out the vineyard unto other husbandmen, who shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
KJV
King James Version · 1611They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will let out the vineyard unto other husbandmen, who shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949They say to him, He will put those cruel men to a cruel death, and will let out the vine-garden to other workmen, who will give him the fruit when it is ready.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862They say to him, `Evil men--he will evilly destroy them, and the vineyard will give out to other husbandmen, who will give back to him the fruits in their seasons.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752They say to him: He will bring those evil men to an evil end and let out his vineyard to other husbandmen that shall render him the fruit in due season.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890They say to him, He will miserably destroy those evil [men], and let out the vineyard to other husbandmen, who shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
Context
This verse records the chief priests' and elders' response to Jesus' question, a self-condemning judgment given prior to their full realization of the parable's meaning. Their answer directly precedes Jesus' further scriptural confirmation of their rejection and the coming transfer of the Kingdom. This response heightens the dramatic irony and sets the stage for Jesus' explicit pronouncements.
v.40When therefore the lord of the vineyard shall come, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
v.41This passage
v.42Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; This was from the Lord, And it is marvellous in our eyes?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 18:6
And when they opposed themselves and blasphemed, he shook out his raiment and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
- Luke 19:41
And when he drew nigh, he saw the city and wept over it,
- Hebrews 12:25
See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape who turn away from him that warneth from heaven:
- Zechariah 13:8
And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith Jehovah, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.
- Acts 28:8
And it was so, that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery: unto whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laying his hands on him healed him.
- Romans 9:1
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing witness with me in the Holy Spirit,
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 21
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 21.
Devotionals
Devotional
Small Faith, Real Faith
A mustard seed is enough. Not a mountain of certainty — a seed of trust.
Devotional
The Weight We Were Not Built to Carry
Jesus does not promise the absence of burden. He offers an exchange.
Devotional
Consider the Lilies
Worry forgets that the same God who clothes the field clothes you.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Rejection
Rejection is a painful human experience, but the Bible offers comfort, guidance, and a divine perspective on feeling excluded or unaccepted.
Topic
Bible Verses About Adultery
Adultery, a grave sin against God and marriage, represents a betrayal of trust and a violation of sacred vows.
Topic
Bible Verses About Anger
The Bible addresses anger directly, offering wisdom on its destructive potential and how believers can manage it righteously.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for a Panic Attack at Night
Steady, slow verses to pray when your chest is tight and the house is dark.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Morning Work Anxiety
Start the workday from a steadier place — verses to pray with coffee.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Can't Sleep Because of Anxious Thoughts
Verses to read in bed when your mind won't stop.