SUMMARY
Shortly after his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus teaches about his impending death through a parable about tenants who seize and kill the landowner’s son. These events are interpreted as fulfillment of prophecy about rejection and vindication.
ANALYSIS
In the midst of his controversy with the leaders of the Temple that accompanies his teaching just before the passion, JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity. tells this parableA parable is a brief story with a setting, an action, and a result. A prominent aspect of Jesus' teaching was telling parables to illustrate something about the kingdom, or reign, of God. of the vineyard as a thinly disguised allegory of his passionPassion is the theological term used to describe Jesus' suffering prior to and including his crucifixion. The Passion Narrative (the portions of the Gospels that tell of the Last Supper, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus) are often read in church during Holy Week. and death. Matthew has taken over this parable from Mark (12:1-12), which clearly begins with reflection on the vineyard of God in Isaiah 5:1-7 and interprets Jesus’ messianic death in terms of prophecyProphecy is the gift, inspired by God, of speaking and interpreting the divine will. Prophets such as Amos, Isaiah, and Ezekiel spoke words of judgment and comfort to the people of Israel on behalf of God. about a rejected stone that has become the chief cornerstone (Psalm 118:22-23). However, he has thoroughly modified it, by expanding it, making it more clearly allegorical of the passion, and linking it more pointedly to Matthean themes.
Among others, this may be seen in the added double reference to “hearing” that begins and concludes the parable (21:33, 45). This places the parable alongside other examples of the disciple call to hear and respond. The impression is further strengthened in the explicit double reference to the “kingdom of GodThe kingdom (reign) of God is a central theme of Jesus' teaching and parables. According to Jesus this reign of God is a present reality and at the same time is yet to come. When Christians pray the Lord's Prayer, they ask that God's kingdom...” as belonging to those who produce its “fruits” (21:43), which picks up the theme of bearing fruit already present throughout the parable. Finally, in noting that the chief priests and Pharisees recognize the parable to be about themselves, the parable anticipates the following attempts to trap Jesus in argument (22:15-46) that lead to their becoming silent (22:46) and Jesus’ lengthy denunciation (23:1-39).