Matthew 21:37
But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπέστειλεν
he sent
G649
ἀπέστειλεν
he sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
3 of 13
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
4 of 13
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτοῦ
them
G846
αὐτοῦ
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 13
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
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱόν
son
G5207
υἱόν
son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
7 of 13
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
αὐτοῦ
them
G846
αὐτοῦ
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 13
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
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ἐντραπήσονται
They will reverence
G1788
Ἐντραπήσονται
They will reverence
Strong's:
G1788
Word #:
10 of 13
to invert, i.e., (figuratively and reflexively) in a good sense, to respect; or in a bad one, to confound
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Jesus spoke this parable days before His crucifixion, predicting His own fate. The Jewish leaders understood He spoke of them (v.45) yet proceeded to fulfill the parable by killing the Son. Their self-aware rejection of the heir exposed maximal guilt—they knew who He was yet chose murder over repentance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Father's sending of the Son demonstrate both ultimate love (John 3:16) and ultimate seriousness in demanding fruit?
- What does it mean that no further messenger comes after Jesus—how does this urgency affect your response today?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son—ὕστερον δὲ ἀπέστειλεν... τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ (hysteron de apesteilen... ton huion autou)—'last of all he sent... his son.' This climaxes the escalation: after servants (prophets), the Son (Jesus). They will reverence (ἐντραπήσονται, entrapēsontai) means 'show respect, feel shame before.'
The vineyard owner's expectation seems naive given past treatment, yet reveals God's nature: He gave Israel every possible opportunity. Sending the Son wasn't desperation but grace—the ultimate self-revelation. The unique status of 'the son' versus 'servants' establishes Jesus's superiority to all prophets (Heb 1:1-2). No messenger remains after this one is rejected.