Matthew 21:31-41

31 Which one of the two did what his father wanted?" "The older one," they answered. So Jesus said to them, "I tell you: the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the Kingdom of God ahead of you.
32 For John the Baptist came to you showing you the right path to take, and you would not believe him; but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. Even when you saw this, you did not later change your minds and believe him. 1
33 "Listen to another parable," Jesus said. "There was once a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a hole for the wine press, and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to tenants and left home on a trip. 2
34 When the time came to gather the grapes, he sent his slaves to the tenants to receive his share of the harvest.
35 The tenants grabbed his slaves, beat one, killed another, and stoned another.
36 Again the man sent other slaves, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way.
37 Last of all he sent his son to them. "Surely they will respect my son,' he said.
38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, "This is the owner's son. Come on, let's kill him, and we will get his property!'
39 So they grabbed him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
40 "Now, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" Jesus asked.
41 "He will certainly kill those evil men," they answered, "and rent the vineyard out to other tenants, who will give him his share of the harvest at the right time."

Cross References 2

  • 1. 21.32Luke 3.12; 7.29, 30.
  • 2. 21.33Isaiah 5.1, 2.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.