Matthew 21:38

Authorized King James Version

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But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.

Original Language Analysis

οἱ G3588
οἱ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 1 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δὲ But G1161
δὲ But
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 21
but, and, etc
γεωργοὶ when the husbandmen G1092
γεωργοὶ when the husbandmen
Strong's: G1092
Word #: 3 of 21
a land-worker, i.e., farmer
ἰδόντες saw G1492
ἰδόντες saw
Strong's: G1492
Word #: 4 of 21
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸν the son G5207
υἱὸν the son
Strong's: G5207
Word #: 6 of 21
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
εἶπον they said G2036
εἶπον they said
Strong's: G2036
Word #: 7 of 21
to speak or say (by word or writing)
ἐν among G1722
ἐν among
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 8 of 21
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
ἑαυτοῖς themselves G1438
ἑαυτοῖς themselves
Strong's: G1438
Word #: 9 of 21
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
Οὗτός This G3778
Οὗτός This
Strong's: G3778
Word #: 10 of 21
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ἐστιν is G2076
ἐστιν is
Strong's: G2076
Word #: 11 of 21
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
G3588
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 12 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κληρονόμος· the heir G2818
κληρονόμος· the heir
Strong's: G2818
Word #: 13 of 21
a sharer by lot, i.e., inheritor (literally or figuratively); by implication, a possessor
δεῦτε come G1205
δεῦτε come
Strong's: G1205
Word #: 14 of 21
come hither!
ἀποκτείνωμεν let us kill G615
ἀποκτείνωμεν let us kill
Strong's: G615
Word #: 15 of 21
to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy
αὐτοῦ him G846
αὐτοῦ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 16 of 21
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
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 17 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κατάσχωμεν let us seize G2722
κατάσχωμεν let us seize
Strong's: G2722
Word #: 18 of 21
to hold down (fast), in various applications (literally or figuratively)
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 19 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κληρονομίαν inheritance G2817
κληρονομίαν inheritance
Strong's: G2817
Word #: 20 of 21
heirship, i.e., (concretely) a patrimony or (genitive case) a possession
αὐτοῦ him G846
αὐτοῦ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 21 of 21
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

Analysis & Commentary

This text illustrates key Reformed principles: sola Scriptura, sola gratia, and sola fide. The passage demonstrates how God's Word speaks authoritatively to human need, revealing both our depravity and God's merciful provision through Christ.

Historical Context

First-century Palestine was marked by religious fervor and political tension. The passage reflects interactions between Jesus and various groups: Pharisees, Sadducees, disciples, and crowds. Each audience received teaching tailored to their needs and spiritual condition.

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