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Rejected Stone

The Wicked Tenants

Too long, please open your Bible Matthew 21: 33-46
Too long, please open your Bible Mark 12: 1-12
Too long, please open your Bible Luke 20: 9-19

Narrative Context

A self-indicting parable

This type of parable isn’t uncommon in scripture. It is a kind of parable that is aimed at eliciting self-condemnation from the hearers. A clear example is Nathan’s parable to David.

Too long, please open your Bible 2 Samuel 12: 1-10

Matthew 21:31 shows that Jesus’ hearers condemned themselves, and verse 32 shows why their assessment was valid.

Opposing Jesus

In all three accounts, the context and setting of the parable are the same; after the challenge of his authority by the temple leaders, and before the question about paying taxes to Caesar. However, Matthew puts a parable right before and after the parable of the wicked tenants.

Relationship with other texts

Allusion to Isaiah 5

Matthew and Mark seem to allude to Isaiah 5, by detailing the construction of the vineyard.

References to Psalm 118: 22-23

Psalm 118: 22-23 is given as the explanation of the parable in Matthew and Mark, but Luke only cites v22.

Allusion to Isaiah 8

Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but on whomever it falls, it will shatter him.” Luke 20:18
He will be a sanctuary; but for the two houses of Israel, he will be a stone to stumble over and a rock to trip over, and a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Many will stumble over these; they will fall and be broken; they will be snared and captured. Isaiah 8: 14-15

In Luke’s account, part of Jesus’ explanation is an allusion to Isaiah 8.

Peter combines the reference to Psalm 118 with Isaiah 8.

Too long, please open your Bible 1 Peter 2: 1-10

Relationship with the parable of the barren fig tree

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” Luke 13: 6-9

The parable of the barren fig tree holds out some hope for Jesus’ hearers, but the parable of the wicked tenants is a clear declaration of judgement on Jesus’ hearers.

Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’!” Matthew 23: 37-39
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See, your house is abandoned to you. I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’!” Luke 13: 34-35

It is also important to see that Jesus’ lament also references Psalm 118.

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD; We have blessed you from the house of the LORD. Psalm 118:26

In Jesus’ reference of Psalm 118 and his declaration of judgement, it is not completely out of place to assume that he had vv. 22-26 in mind.

Passion predictions

We see the climax of the religious leaders’ rejection of Jesus, not just in ignoring His message, but also in murdering Him. The gospels’ reference to Jesus being “rejected” also remind us of Psalm 118

Then he began to teach them that it was necessary for the Son of Man to suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and rise after three days. Mark 8:31
Saying, “It is necessary that the Son of Man suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.” Luke 9:22
But first it is necessary that he suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. Luke 17:25

The stone quptation not only explains the parable but also goes beyond it. Someting that we can be sure of from the stone quotations is that God will vindicate the rejected stone, and those who reject this stone will be judged.

Elements of the parable

The kingdom

It is tempting to think that in this parable, the vineyard represents Israel. However, it does not make sense that Israel is taken from Israel. From Jesus’ response to the temple leaders that the kingdom would be taken from them, we know that Jesus is referring to the special privilege of participating in God’s purposes for the world.

The son

“Beloved” as a qualifier for the vineyard owner’s son is Mark and Luke’s attempt at highlighting the fact that it was a self-reference by Jesus. However, we. must understand sonship not in the trinitarian sense, but in the context of what His hearers would most likely have understood.

The Messiah’s designation as God’s son is seen across several places in the Old Testament

I will declare the LORD’s decree. He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Psalm 2:7

The Psalm describes God installing His chosen king on Zion and calling him His Son, with a universal reign over the nations. This is often understood as messianic, pointing to a future ruler from David’s line who will be a divine representative.

Too long, please open your Bible 2 Samuel 7: 12-16

This passage refers initially to Solomon, but the promise of an eternal kingdom transcends Solomon’s reign, suggesting a future Davidic King (the Messiah) who will be called God's son in a special relationship.

The envoys (servants and son)

Too long, please open your Bible Luke 11: 47-51

Combining all our understanding so far with Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem, we know that Jesus saw Himself as the ultimate prophet, and His ministry as the climax of the ministry of all the prophets that had been sent to warn Israel before Him.

Meaning of the parable

This parable says essentially what the passion prediction in Mark 8:31 says. It is clear that this parable is a confrontation of Israel’s leaders. The kingdom is transferred because they failed to give to God what belongs to Him, and also rejected God’s envoy.

The parable also echoes the same message as Jesus’ lament, with Psalm 118 being quoted in both. The parable says in story form, what the lament says in narrative form.

Application for our day

The parable offers the same message as the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, and the Parable of the Two Sons. Access to the kingdom is a great privilege that comes with great responsibility to produce fruit.