SUMMARY
Shortly after his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus teaches about his impending death through a 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. More about tenants who seize and kill the landowner’s son. These events are interpreted as fulfillment 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. More about rejection and vindication.
ANALYSIS
In the midst of his controversy with the leaders of the templeThe Jerusalem temple, unlike the tabernacle, was a permanent structure, although (like the tabernacle) it was a place of worship and religious activity. On one occasion Jesus felt such activity was unacceptable and, as reported in all four Gospels, drove from the temple those engaged... More that accompanies his teaching just before the 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. More, Jesus tells this parable of the vineyard as a thinly disguised allegory of his passion 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 prophecy about a rejected stone that has become the chief cornerstone (PsalmA psalm is a song of praise. In the Old Testament 150 psalms comprise the psalter, although some of the psalms are laments and thanksgivings. In the New Testament early Christians gathered to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. More 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 discipleA disciple is a person who accepts and follows the pronouncements of a teacher. Jesus chose twelve disciples (also called "apostles" in some of the Gospels) to follow him and bear witness to his message Anyone who (like them) follows Jesus is engaged in Christian... More call to hear and respond. The impression is further strengthened in the explicit double reference to the “kingdom of God” 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).
