Lord's Vineyard in the Book of Isaiah and Gospel of Matthew
Jeffrey A. Gibbs in his commentary on Matthew summarizes parallels between Is. 5 - "song about the vineyard" and parable of the wicked tenants (Mt. 21:33-44). We also need to remember that this passage is a part of a longer pericope (see below).
Isaiah 5:1-7
Matthew 21:33-44
1.
The owner carefully plants and provides for a fruitful vineyard.
The owner carefully plants and provides for a fruitful vineyard.
2.
there is no mention of others who tend the vineyard for the owner.
The owner lets out the vineyard to tenant farmers. These figures become central.
3.
Despite the owner's efforts, a problem present itself. Instead of producing good grapes, the vineyard produced bitter ones.
Despite the owner's efforts, a problem presents itself. When the owner sends two successive groups of slaves to receive fruit, the tenant farmers violently abuse the slaves and (implicitly) refuse to give the fruit. The tenants even go so far as to murder the owner's son, with the vain hope of owning the vineyard themselves.
4.
the response to the problem is to lay waste to the vineyard.
the response to the problem is to kill the wicked tenant farmers and give care of the vineyard to other, more faithful, farmers.
Jeffrey A. Gibbs, Matthew 21:1 - 28:20, Concordia Publishing House (2018), p. 1090.
In the v. 23 of chapter 21 we enter into the Temple. Then 22:1 begins a new set of parables - and again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying... Therefore it is very appropriate to consider 21:23-46 holistically.
1. A. 23-27, Initial question of High Priests and elders. No action on their part - afraid of the crowd.
2. B. 28-32, Parable of the sons in the vineyard + discussion.
3. B'. 33-44, Parable of the tenants of the vineyard + discussion.
4. A'. 45-46, Reaction of the High Priests and the Pharisees. No action on their part - feared the crowd.
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