Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit. New Living Translation At the time of the grape harvest, he sent his servants to collect his share of the crop. English Standard Version When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. Berean Standard Bible When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit. Berean Literal Bible And when the season of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the farmers to receive his fruits. King James Bible And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. New King James Version Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. New American Standard Bible And when the harvest time approached, he sent his slaves to the vine-growers to receive his fruit. NASB 1995 “When the harvest time approached, he sent his slaves to the vine-growers to receive his produce. NASB 1977 “And when the harvest time approached, he sent his slaves to the vine-growers to receive his produce. Legacy Standard Bible Now when the harvest time approached, he sent his slaves to the vine-growers to receive his fruit. Amplified Bible When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his [share of the] fruit. Berean Annotated Bible When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants {doulous} to the tenants (farmers) to collect his share of the fruit. Christian Standard Bible When the time came to harvest fruit, he sent his servants to the farmers to collect his fruit. Holman Christian Standard Bible When the grape harvest drew near, he sent his slaves to the farmers to collect his fruit. American Standard Version And when the season of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, to receive his fruits. Contemporary English Version When it was harvest time, the owner sent some servants to get his share of the grapes. English Revised Version And when the season of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, to receive his fruits. GOD'S WORD® Translation "When the grapes were getting ripe, he sent his servants to the workers to collect his share of the produce. Good News Translation When the time came to gather the grapes, he sent his slaves to the tenants to receive his share of the harvest. International Standard Version When harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenant farmers to collect his produce. NET Bible When the harvest time was near, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his portion of the crop. New Heart English Bible When the season for the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to receive his fruit. Webster's Bible Translation And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. Weymouth New Testament When vintage-time approached, he sent his servants to the vine-dressers to receive his share of the grapes; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit. World English Bible When the season for the fruit came near, he sent his servants to the farmers to receive his fruit. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd when the season of the fruits came near, he sent his servants to the farmers, to receive the fruits of it, Berean Literal Bible And when the season of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the farmers to receive his fruits. Young's Literal Translation 'And when the season of the fruits came nigh, he sent his servants unto the husbandmen, to receive the fruits of it, Smith's Literal Translation And when the time of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the farmers, to receive his parts. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when the time of the fruits drew nigh, he sent his servants to the husbandmen that they might receive the fruits thereof. Catholic Public Domain Version Then, when the time of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the farmers, so that they might receive its fruits. New American Bible When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. New Revised Standard Version When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when the fruit season was at hand, he sent his servants to the laborers, that they might send him of the fruits of his vineyard. Aramaic Bible in Plain English “But when the fruit season had arrived, he sent his servants to the laborers so that they would send some of the fruit of the vineyard to him.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the vine-dressers to receive the fruits of it. Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament But when the season for fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen to receive his fruits. Mace New Testament and when the fruit-season came on, he sent his servants to the tenants, to receive the fruits of it. Weymouth New Testament When vintage-time approached, he sent his servants to the vine-dressers to receive his share of the grapes; Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Parable of the Wicked Tenants33Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. 34 When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit. 35But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.… Cross References When the harvest time drew near, Mark 12:2 At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. Luke 20:10 At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed. Isaiah 5:2 He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! he sent his servants Jeremiah 7:25 From the day your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent you all My servants the prophets again and again. 2 Chronicles 36:15-16 Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. / But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy. 2 Kings 17:13 Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.” to the tenants Mark 12:1 Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a wine vat, and built a watchtower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. Luke 20:9 Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time. Isaiah 5:1-2 I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! to collect his share of the fruit. Isaiah 5:4 What more could have been done for My vineyard than I have done for it? Why, when I expected sweet grapes, did it bring forth sour fruit? Luke 13:6-7 Then Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. / So he said to the keeper of the vineyard, ‘Look, for the past three years I have come to search for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Therefore cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ John 15:2 He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. Jeremiah 25:4 And the LORD has sent all His servants the prophets to you again and again, but you have not listened or inclined your ear to hear. Nehemiah 9:26 But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies. Hebrews 11:36-37 Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. / They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated. Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers— Treasury of Scripture And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the farmers, that they might receive the fruits of it. he sent. 2 Kings 17:13,14 Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets… 2 Chronicles 36:15,16 And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: … Nehemiah 9:29,30 And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear… that. Song of Solomon 8:11,12 Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver… Isaiah 5:4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? Jump to Previous Approached Bondmen Collect Drew Farmers Fruit Fruits Grapes Harvest Husbandmen Nigh Produce Receive Season Servants Share Slaves Tenants Time Vine-Dressers Vine-Growers Vintage-Time WorkmenJump to Next Approached Bondmen Collect Drew Farmers Fruit Fruits Grapes Harvest Husbandmen Nigh Produce Receive Season Servants Share Slaves Tenants Time Vine-Dressers Vine-Growers Vintage-Time WorkmenMatthew 21 1. Jesus rides into Jerusalem upon a donkey12. drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple; 17. curses the fig tree; 23. puts to silence the priests and elders, 28. and rebukes them by the parable of the two sons, 33. and the husbandmen who slew such as were sent to them. When the harvest time drew near This phrase indicates a time of expectation and fulfillment. In the agricultural context of ancient Israel, harvest time was a significant period when the fruits of labor were gathered. Biblically, harvest often symbolizes judgment or the gathering of believers (Matthew 13:30, Revelation 14:15). The timing suggests God's patience and the anticipation of rightful returns from His people. he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit Persons / Places / Events 1. LandownerRepresents God, who owns the vineyard and expects a return on His investment. 2. Vineyard Symbolizes Israel, God's chosen people, and by extension, the Kingdom of God. 3. Tenants Represent the religious leaders of Israel who were entrusted with the care of God's people. 4. Servants Symbolize the prophets sent by God to call His people to repentance and faithfulness. 5. Harvest Time Represents the time of accountability and judgment when God expects to see the fruits of righteousness. Teaching Points Accountability to GodJust as the tenants were accountable to the landowner, we are accountable to God for how we steward the gifts and responsibilities He has given us. Rejection of God's Messengers The mistreatment of the servants reflects how God's messages and messengers are often rejected. We must be open to receiving God's truth, even when it challenges us. Bearing Fruit God expects His people to bear spiritual fruit. This involves living a life that reflects His character and fulfills His purposes. Judgment and Consequences Ignoring God's call to bear fruit leads to judgment. We must take seriously the call to live faithfully and obediently. Role of Prophets and Leaders Spiritual leaders are entrusted with guiding God's people. They must be faithful stewards, leading others to produce fruit for God's kingdom. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Matthew 21:34?2. How does Matthew 21:34 illustrate God's expectations for His people today? 3. What does the "time to collect" symbolize in Matthew 21:34? 4. How can we recognize and respond to God's "servants" in our lives? 5. In what ways does Matthew 21:34 connect to the parable's broader message? 6. How should Matthew 21:34 influence our stewardship of God's gifts and resources? 7. What is the significance of the landowner sending servants in Matthew 21:34? 8. How does Matthew 21:34 reflect God's patience and justice? 9. What historical context influences the interpretation of Matthew 21:34? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 21? 11. What parables did Jesus teach in the Bible? 12. What defines a Christian minister? 13. Why did God's vineyard produce only wild grapes? 14. What does Easter signify? What Does Matthew 21:34 Mean When the harvest time drew near“ ‘When the harvest time drew near …’ ” (Matthew 21:34) • Harvest signals the long-anticipated moment of accountability. Just as the owner expected grapes, the Lord expects tangible righteousness from those He has blessed (Isaiah 5:1-7). • In parables, harvest often points to the culmination of God’s dealings, whether with Israel or at the end of the age (Matthew 13:39; Revelation 14:15). • Time had run its course. Centuries of patience now moved toward a decisive inspection, echoing Paul’s reminder that we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-9). He sent his servants “ …he sent his servants …” • The servants picture the prophets God faithfully dispatched to His people (Jeremiah 7:25; 2 Chronicles 36:15-16). • Their mission came from the owner, not themselves. Like Hebrews 1:1 notes, God “spoke to our fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways.” • The repeated sending in the larger parable (Matthew 21:35-36) underlines divine persistence in grace before judgment. To the tenants “ …to the tenants …” • The tenants stand for Israel’s religious leaders, stewards of God’s vineyard (Matthew 21:45; Luke 20:9). • Stewardship implies responsibility. Paul later says the Jews were entrusted with “the very words of God” (Romans 3:1-2). • Instead of humble caretakers, they acted as possessors, forgetting the vineyard still belonged to its Lord (Psalm 24:1). To collect his share of the fruit “ …to collect his share of the fruit.” • Fruit represents the obedience, justice, and faith the covenant required (Isaiah 5:7; Micah 6:8). John the Baptist echoed this demand: “Produce fruit worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8). • The owner sought only “his share,” highlighting God’s rightful claim while leaving ample blessing for the tenants—an echo of the tithe principle (Leviticus 27:30). • Jesus later says, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit” (John 15:8). Lack of fruit would lead to the vineyard being given to others who will yield it (Matthew 21:43). summary Matthew 21:34 shows the gracious yet firm expectation of God: at the appointed time He sends His messengers to those entrusted with His gifts, seeking the righteous fruit that rightly belongs to Him. The verse underscores divine patience, human responsibility, and the certainty of accountability, urging every steward of God’s blessings to bear the fruit that glorifies the true Owner. (34) When the time of the fruit drew near.--We must be content here with following the general drift of the parable, and cannot find any exact parallel in the history of Israel to the successive sendings of the servants of the householder. It is enough to see in them the general expectation (comp. the language of Isaiah 5:4, "I looked that it should bring forth grapes") that the developed life of Israel should be worthy of its calling, and the mission of the prophets who. as the servants of Jehovah, were sent from time to time to call the people to bring forth the fruits of righteousness.Verse 34. - When the time of the fruit drew near. The vintage season, when the rent, whether in money or kind, became due. In the Jewish history no particular time seems to be signified, but rather such periods or crises which forced God's claims upon men's notice, and made them consider what fruits they had to show for all the Lord's care, how they had lived after receiving the Law. Such times were the ages of Samuel, Elijah, the great prophets, the Maccabees, and John the Baptist. His servants. The prophets, good kings, priests, and governors. "I have sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings" (Jeremiah 35:15). To receive the fruits of it (τοὺς καρποὺς αὐτοῦ); or, his fruits, as rent.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek WhenὍτε (Hote) Adverb Strong's 3753: When, at which time. From hos and te; at which too, i.e. When. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. harvest time καιρὸς (kairos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2540: Fitting season, season, opportunity, occasion, time. Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. Set or proper time. drew near, ἤγγισεν (ēngisen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1448: Trans: I bring near; intrans: I come near, approach. From eggus; to make near, i.e. approach. he sent ἀπέστειλεν (apesteilen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 649: From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. servants δούλους (doulous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 1401: (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave. to πρὸς (pros) Preposition Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. the τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. tenants γεωργοὺς (geōrgous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 1092: From ge and the base of ergon; a land-worker, i.e. Farmer. to collect λαβεῖν (labein) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. share of the crop. καρποὺς (karpous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 2590: Probably from the base of harpazo; fruit, literally or figuratively. Links Matthew 21:34 NIVMatthew 21:34 NLT Matthew 21:34 ESV Matthew 21:34 NASB Matthew 21:34 KJV Matthew 21:34 BibleApps.com Matthew 21:34 Biblia Paralela Matthew 21:34 Chinese Bible Matthew 21:34 French Bible Matthew 21:34 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Matthew 21:34 When the season for the fruit drew (Matt. Mat Mt) |
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