What Is Jesus’ Message in the Parable of the Evil Tenants?
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In Jesus’ ministry, he never shied away from words that would pierce the hearts of those who were listening. The Parable of the Evil Tenants, found in Matthew 21:33-46, is one of those examples.
In this parable, Jesus was not trying to win friends and influence people; he was once again addressing the condition of the hearts of the religious leaders, his greatest opposition. In this parable, you will find imagery of a vineyard, tenants, servants, and finally a son. It reveals the truth about God and his dealing with Israel, ultimately leading to the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God.
So what does all this mean? Let’s walk through this parable and see what truths we can discover and apply to our lives today.
The Context of the Parable of the Evil Tenants
This encounter between Jesus and the religious leaders takes place right in Jerusalem. Just days earlier, Jesus had entered the city in triumph, and one of his first acts was to flip over the tables in the temple, driving out those who were turning God’s house into a marketplace. That alone made the leaders furious.
A little later, he’s back in the temple, teaching again, and the chief priests and elders step in to challenge him. They asked him a loaded question that showed the true nature of what was in their hearts. “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave it to you?” In today’s terms, they were basically saying, “Who do you think you are?”
Instead of answering them directly, Jesus responds with three parables. Each one was like a scalpel, cutting through the layers of their pride and exposing the hypocrisy hiding underneath. The Parable of the Evil Tenants was one of those. It forced them to face the truth about their rejection of God’s messengers and, ultimately, His Son.
Jesus wasn’t just telling them a story, he was pulling back the curtain to expose the true condition of their hearts.
5 Key Elements Found in the Parable of the Evil Tenants
To completely understand this parable, you must consider the various elements and what they represent.
1. The Vineyard
This represents the nation of Israel taken directly from Isaiah.
“The vineyard of the Lord Almighty
is the nation of Israel,
and the people of Judah
are the vines he delighted in”(Isaiah 5:7a).
God created and cared for the nation of Israel. He set them apart from the other nations, gave them his law and commands, and was going to use the nation of Israel to bless the nations of the world, specifically through the coming of Christ.
2. The Tenants
The tenants represented the spiritual leaders of Israel. This included the priests, the scribes, and the Pharisees, all of whom were enemies of Jesus and wanted him dead. They were supposed to watch over the people and shepherd them faithfully, but they took advantage of the people and used them for their own gain.
3. The Servants
These represented the prophets God sent to Israel over the years to proclaim the word of the Lord. Often, they would warn them and call them to repentance. However, because many of these prophets spoke a message these leaders did not want to hear, they seized them, beat them, and even killed them.
4. The Son
This represents Jesus. He was not like the other servants, because he was the Son of God. However, they treated him just like all the other prophets who had come before him. They rejected Jesus just as they rejected the prophets, and ultimately they killed him.
5. The Owner’s Judgment
This speaks to the time when God will eventually judge those who have rejected his Son. It also points to God establishing his kingdom through the church made up of Jews and Gentiles who have embraced Jesus as Savior and Lord.
The Core Message of the Parable of the Evil Tenants
Throughout Israel’s history, they continually rejected the ones that God sent. Instead of heeding God's laws and commands, they often sought to follow their own way. The leaders of Israel were often complicit in this rebellion against God. Many times, they encouraged it and led the charge in rejecting what God desired.
God, because he is merciful, would send his prophets to the nation, often pleading with them to repent and return to following God’s commands. While there were moments when they listened, most of the time they didn’t. The results of their action brought God’s judgment upon them because they ignored his warnings.
By the time Jesus stepped onto the scene, the spiritual leaders of Israel were deeply entrenched in their rebellion. They had built a religious system that gave them power, privilege, and influence. However, this came at the expense of truly shepherding God’s people. Instead of leading them closer to God, they piled on heavy burdens, adding rules and requirements that went far beyond what the law demanded.
When Jesus exposed their hypocrisy and stripped away the façade, they saw him as a threat to their way of life. Rather than repent and change their behavior, their solution was to kill him and get rid of him for good. However, what they did not understand in rejecting Jesus is that they were rejecting the very one who was their only hope of salvation. That’s why Jesus told them these words:
“Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes?’” (Matthew 21:42).
Their rejection closed the door to the kingdom for them. But for all who believe, acceptance of Jesus opens the door wide. He is the cornerstone of our faith and the firm foundation on which we must build.
Practical Application from This Parable
Who You Follow Matters
Not every voice is worth following. God has given leaders the responsibility to guide his people with integrity, humility, and faithfulness to his Word. But as followers, we are not without responsibility. We must choose carefully whom we allow to shape our hearts and influence our walk with Christ.
Spiritual leaders may be gifted, but they must always align their words and actions with Scripture. If they lead in a way that contradicts God’s truth, then it is wise and necessary to step away. You are never called to follow someone who drags you down a path of deception, destruction, or disobedience.
Who you follow will shape the direction of your life. That’s why your greatest allegiance must always belong to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who will never mislead you and will always lead you with love and grace into truth and life.
Obey God’s Word, Don’t Resist It
When you encounter the truth, you must decide how you will respond. You can choose obedience to God, or you can choose rebellion. One path leads to life, while the other leads to loss. There is no middle ground.
It is important to remember that everything God requires of us is for our good, and the things he brings to light in our lives are often the very things that harm us. When God shows you something that needs to change, respond quickly and trust that he is guiding you because he loves you and wants the best for you.
Build Your Life on the Cornerstone
Jesus is the cornerstone. When he walked the earth, some embraced him, while others rejected him. The same is true today. Embracing Jesus means making him the foundation of every part of your life. When Christ is your cornerstone, he shapes your priorities, values, and decisions. Everything you do flows from that relationship.
A life built on Jesus will not crumble when storms and trials come, because it rests on an unshakable foundation. The storms may still arise, but with Jesus as your cornerstone, you are anchored in the safest and most secure place you could ever be.
Jesus Is Our Sure Foundation
The Parable of the Evil Tenants is both a solemn warning and a gracious invitation. The warning is clear. To reject Jesus is to reject the very foundation of life itself, and the cost is not just temporary but eternal. Yet in the same breath, this parable extends an invitation filled with hope. The kingdom of God is wide open to all who will place their trust in Christ.
Jesus is not just another stone among many. He is the cornerstone. He is the rock upon which our salvation, hope, and eternal life are built. For those who receive him, he becomes the sure foundation that can withstand every storm. Jesus is the anchor that steadies every heart, and the gateway into the joy of God’s kingdom.
Today, the invitation still remains. If you embrace the Son and build your life upon him, you will find that what the world rejected has become your greatest treasure.
Photo credit: Pexels/Tim Mossholder
