The Parable of Jesus’ Rejection

GOLDEN TEXT: “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.” —Isaiah 53:3

MATTHEW 21:33-43

IN RELATING this Parable of the Vineyard, Jesus evidently had in mind the very similar parable which is set forth in Isaiah 5:1-7. Here we read, “The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah the plant of his pleasures.” (vs. 7, marginal translation) It would seem reasonable to conclude that the “husbandmen” hired by the house-holder were the religious leaders of Israel—the scribes and Pharisees.

The parable states that servants were sent to the “husbandmen” to seek the fruit of the vineyard, but that they were stoned and killed. Jesus identified the fulfillment of this, saying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that [through your religious leaders] killest the prophets [the servants of the parable], and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, … and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.”—Matt. 23:37,38

The parable reveals that not only were the “servants” which were sent to Israel stoned and killed, but that finally the son of the householder was also killed, the reference being to Jesus the Son of God. This was the final test upon the original “husbandmen.” Since they failed, other husbandmen were to be chosen. In partial explanation of the parable, Jesus referred to the prophecy of Psalm 118:22,23, pertaining to the “stone which the builders rejected.” Jesus was this “stone.” He was rejected and killed. But he also, in his resurrection, became “Head of the corner.”

Jesus further explained concerning the original husbandmen’s loss of their position, “The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” (vs. 43) This new nation is the new spiritual Israel of the Gospel age. The Apostle Peter wrote to the first of these new “husbandmen,” “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”—I Pet. 2:9,10. See also Romans 11:30,31.

We are not to understand that the condemnation set forth in the parable applied to all Israel, either in times past when the prophets were killed, or in Jesus’ day; for in every generation of the nation’s life there were a faithful few who proved their worthiness of the trust placed in them by Jehovah, their God. In Romans 11:4,5, Paul shows that in Elijah’s day there were seven thousand of these faithful ones, and indicates that there were many faithful Israelites in the days of the Early Church.

The faithful ones of the past proved worthy of a “better resurrection” and of being the human representatives of Christ’s kingdom when it is stablished in power and great glory. (Heb. 11:32-35) Those who, in Jesus’ day and later, proved worthy, became a part of that “holy nation” to whom Jesus said the kingdom would be given. These will be among those who come forth in the “first resurrection” to live and reign with Christ a thousand years.

Concerning the unfaithful husbandmen of the parable, it is stated, “He will miserably destroy those wicked men.” (vs. 41) This does not imply eternal destruction, for when casting them off Jesus said, “Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (Matt. 23:39) This means that these “wicked men” are to be raised from the dead following Christ’s second advent, enlightened concerning their Messiah, and that they will have the opportunity to accept him and call him blessed.

In the 11th chapter of Romans Paul confirms this. Addressing the Gentile believers and comparing their position with the cast off of Israel, Paul explains, “For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.” (vss. 30-32) Thus “all Israel shall be saved.”—vs. 26

QUESTIONS

Cite the Old Testament reference to the parable of Jesus’ rejection.

Identify the various ones mentioned in the parable.

To whom in the parable does the Golden Text apply?

Who comprise the nation to whom the kingdom of God is given when taken from the husbandman of the parable?

Do the husbandmen of the parable lose the opportunity to gain everlasting life in the kingdom?

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