Matthew 21:39
And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 9
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λαβόντες
they caught
G2983
λαβόντες
they caught
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
2 of 9
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 9
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
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 9
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Jesus was tried by the Sanhedrin inside Jerusalem, but executed at Golgotha outside the city walls (John 19:17-20). His death outside the camp fulfilled Levitical requirements for sin offerings (Lev 16:27) and separated Him from the holy city—ultimate irony, as the leaders cast out the Holy One.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's willing acceptance of being 'cast out' provide your entrance into God's presence (Heb 10:19-22)?
- What 'inheritance' are you tempted to secure by keeping Jesus at arm's length rather than surrendering control?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him—Prophecy masquerading as parable. The verbs predict Jesus's passion: ἐκβαλόντες ἔξω τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος (ekbalontes exō tou ampelōnos)—'casting out of the vineyard.' Jesus was crucified outside Jerusalem's walls (Heb 13:12), outside the camp, bearing our reproach.
And slew him (ἀπέκτειναν, apekteinan)—murdered the heir to seize his inheritance. The tenants' logic was perverse: kill the son and the vineyard becomes ours. Israel's leaders rejected Jesus to maintain their religious authority, not realizing they forfeited everything. The very act of casting out the Son brought judgment on their stewardship.