Matthew 21:45
And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεῖς
when the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερεῖς
when the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
4 of 15
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Φαρισαῖοι
Pharisees
G5330
Φαρισαῖοι
Pharisees
Strong's:
G5330
Word #:
7 of 15
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παραβολὰς
his parables
G3850
παραβολὰς
his parables
Strong's:
G3850
Word #:
9 of 15
a similitude ("parable"), i.e., (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 15
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
ἔγνωσαν
they perceived
G1097
ἔγνωσαν
they perceived
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
11 of 15
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
12 of 15
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
περὶ
of
G4012
περὶ
of
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
Cross References
Historical Context
The chief priests (ἀρχιερεῖς) included the high priest, former high priests, and leading priestly families—Sadducees who controlled temple operations and collaborated with Rome. The Pharisees (Φαρισαῖοι) were influential lay teachers emphasizing oral law and tradition. These two groups rarely agreed (Acts 23:6-9), but both opposed Jesus, uniting against common threat to their authority. Their theological enemies became allies against God's Anointed (Psalm 2:1-2).
Questions for Reflection
- How does intellectual understanding of Scripture without heart transformation lead to greater condemnation?
- When have you correctly understood God's Word as addressing you but responded with defensiveness rather than repentance?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them (καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι τὰς παραβολὰς αὐτοῦ ἔγνωσαν ὅτι περὶ αὐτῶν λέγει)—The verb γινώσκω (ginōskō, 'to know, to perceive, to recognize') shows they correctly understood Jesus's meaning. The parable of two sons (21:28-32), the wicked tenants (21:33-44), and later the wedding feast (22:1-14) all condemned religious leaders' rejection of God's messengers. Their perception shows intellectual understanding without spiritual transformation—knowing truth and rejecting it is worse than ignorance (James 4:17; 2 Peter 2:21).
The phrase περὶ αὐτῶν ('concerning them, about them') indicates personal application. Unlike the crowds who missed the point, the leaders saw themselves in the wicked tenants who killed the son to seize the inheritance. Yet this knowledge didn't produce repentance, only rage. Jesus's parables function as judgment oracles against those who hear but refuse to heed (13:13-15). Understanding without obedience hardens the heart.