Matthew 22:1
And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
Original Language Analysis
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 10
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
G611
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
2 of 10
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 10
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
πάλιν
again
G3825
πάλιν
again
Strong's:
G3825
Word #:
5 of 10
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 10
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
Historical Context
This parable was delivered during Passion Week (21:23) in the Temple courts, immediately after the chief priests and Pharisees recognized themselves in the previous parable (21:45). The use of multiple parables reflects rabbinic teaching style, where repetition with variation drives home a point.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Jesus use parables when His opponents are already hostile—what does this reveal about divine pedagogy?
- How do these three consecutive parables build upon each other in their portrait of Israel's rejection?
- In what ways might you be hearing Jesus's teaching without truly responding to it?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables (ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦς πάλιν εἶπεν ἐν παραβολαῖς)—The phrase palin ('again') connects this to the preceding Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen (21:33-46). Jesus intensifies His confrontation with Israel's leaders through parabolais (parables), a teaching method that simultaneously reveals truth to receptive hearts and conceals it from the hardened (13:10-17).
This third consecutive parable about rejection escalates the stakes: from rejecting prophets, to killing the Son, to refusing the kingdom invitation itself. The trilogy forms a prophetic indictment of first-century Israel's rejection of Messiah.