NOTES for Mat 21:33-46
Besides the sadness caused by the injustice and cruelty of the vineyard workers, the parable of the wicked tenants also brings a ray of light and hope in the Lord. How can these tenants possibly think that, after beating the servants and killing the son and heir, the inheritance will belong to them? Here it becomes clear that from the outside one can see far better how foolishly and blasphemously a person sometimes makes plans, and how little suited that person is to what he greedily covets. And what fate awaits him? A modern listener’s response to such a story differs little from the answer in verse 41. Yet behind all of this we see light: here and now the Lord is already speaking to the people about His Resurrection. Yes, it is the language of parables, but this is precisely the narrative He chooses. Despite the blindness of the builders, the rejected stone becomes the chief stone, the cornerstone—for the construction of the whole building begins at the corner, and the corner determines what kind of building it will be, solid or flimsy. The Lord’s will is fulfilled, bringing joy and rejoicing to His people. The Messiah, the Son, the Heir, rises and begins to build His Church.