The Parable of the Tenants

In the Old Testament, God called the chosen people, His vineyard (Isa. 5:7). He sent his prophets to remind them that it was a vineyard dear to his heart, that he would do everything to make it fruitful in virtuous works, and that they would profit from it. He entrusted this vineyard to his representatives. These “high priests and elders of the people” were to keep the vineyard and improve it. However, they forgot that they were only tenants of this vineyard, not its masters.

Jesus Christ disliked such people. Therefore, on one occasion – it was before his ransom death – he said the following parable to their address: A particular farmer planted a vineyard and then rented it to the tenants. They pledged to keep it and give the crop. When the time of the gathering was approaching, the landlord sent his servants to the vineyards to take over his work. But the vine-growers seized his servants; “One was beaten, the other was slain, the other was stoned” (Mt 21:35). The landlord again sent other servants with a similar goal, but they did the same with them. Finally, he sent his Son to them because he thought they would respect him. When the vine-growers saw him, they said, “That’s the heir. Come, let us kill him, and his heritage will be ours” (Mt 21:38). So they dragged him out of the vineyard and killed him.

The parable clearly shows who is speaking. With this parable, he wanted to remind the high priests and elders that the prophets God had sent to His people were treated this way. When he spoke of the Son of a householder, he was thinking of himself. He had seen how they would treat him when they crucified him beyond the walls of Jerusalem. But what will be God’s judgment? “He will destroy the wicked without mercy, and let the vineyard be rented to other vine-growers who will give him a crop for a while” (Mt 21:41). The Jews have rejected Jesus and his teaching, so they will not be punished. Their capital, which was the backbone of their pride and arrogance, will be severely destroyed. Christ’s words about Jerusalem were literally fulfilled in 70 AD. In the New Testament, the Church of Christ in all nations is God’s vineyard, bearing the fruit of the kingdom of God by faithfully fulfilling God’s will and living according to Christ’s new commandment of love. Jesus emphasizes this after the parable: “You will be married to the kingdom of God and give to a nation that will yield fruit” (Mt 21,43).

In Egypt, there is an ancient pyramid, which is the tomb of the tribe Cheops, built about 2600 BC. They discovered the ruins of a large pagan temple. According to the inscriptions on the walls, it was concluded to be the temple of the God of all good. The inhabitants of the city worshiped more of the God of all evil, and apparently, the God of good destroyed the temple by an earthquake, killing the population.

The parable of the tenants of the vineyard speaks of the heavenly Lord, the Lord of heaven and earth, who, in his goodness, loved the people of Israel. He compared him to a vineyard from which he expected a holy crop. He sent his servants to the tenants, and finally, he sent his Son. But they refused his invitation. Therefore, they turned to the Gentiles and invited them to the Kingdom of God. St. Matthew shows it in three parables: of two sons (Mt 21:28-33); on evil vine-growers (Mt 21:33-36); and on the marriage of the king’s son (Mt 22:1-14). It would be too simple and comfortable to shift all responsibility to the then Israeli religious leaders. The Gospel is God’s message for all time. The parable still warns today. In the New Testament, the Church is the administrator of God’s vineyard. The Son of God also asks for a time to deliver the crops.

One of the heroes of B. Marshall’s sermon speaks with bitter humor: “God’s vineyard?—Rather God’s quarries! …” Let these words never apply to us! Even the New Testament people must obey the same rule of law: they must produce the fruit of justice and love. Let us think about it and strive to be God’s vineyard, a useful vineyard, and bear fruit of good deeds in time, despite our weaknesses and shortcomings. The best responsible deeds express true Christianity. Let us also try to change it according to the proven principle: less talk and more deeds.