Matthew 21:33

Authorized King James Version

Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Ἄλλην
G243
another
"else," i.e., different (in many applications)
#2
παραβολὴν
G3850
parable
a similitude ("parable"), i.e., (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage
#3
ἀκούσατε
G191
Hear
to hear (in various senses)
#4
Ἄνθρωπος
G444
a certain
man-faced, i.e., a human being
#5
τις
G5100
some or any person or object
#6
ἦν
G2258
There was
i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
#7
οἰκοδεσπότης
G3617
householder
the head of a family
#8
ὅστις
G3748
which
which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same
#9
ἐφύτευσεν
G5452
planted
to set out in the earth, i.e., implant; figuratively, to instil doctrine
#10
ἀμπελῶνα
G290
a vineyard
a vineyard
#11
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#12
φραγμὸν
G5418
hedged
a fence, or inclosing barrier (literally or figuratively)
#13
αὐτὸν
G846
it
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#14
περιέθηκεν
G4060
round about
to place around; by implication, to present
#15
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#16
ὤρυξεν
G3736
digged
to "burrow" in the ground, i.e., dig
#17
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#18
αὐτὸν
G846
it
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#19
ληνὸν
G3025
a winepress
a trough, i.e., wine-vat
#20
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#21
ᾠκοδόμησεν
G3618
built
to be a house-builder, i.e., construct or (figuratively) confirm
#22
πύργον
G4444
a tower
a tower or castle
#23
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#24
ἐξέδοτο
G1554
let
to give forth, i.e., (specially) to lease
#25
αὐτὸν
G846
it
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#26
γεωργοῖς
G1092
to husbandmen
a land-worker, i.e., farmer
#27
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#28
ἀπεδήμησεν
G589
went into a far country
to go abroad, i.e., visit a foreign land

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of Jewish biographical literature presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Matthew Understanding a worldview expecting divine intervention through a promised Messiah helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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