Sunday 4 October 2026

Psalm 80

Background
Jesus tells this parable after he had arrived in Jerusalem, shortly after his triumphal entry (Matthew 21:1-17). Alongside other parables in this section of Matthew's Gospel, it comes in the context of controversy with the chief priests and elders (21:23).

The parable is the story of a landowner who, building a vineyard, lends it out to tenants and leaves for another country. At the time of harvest, the landowner sends servants to collect the produce but – instead – the tenants beat the first servant, kill the second and stone the third. The landowner then sends his son, believing they would show him respect. And yet the tenants kill the son too, hoping to keep the vineyard for themselves. The parable ends with the landowner’s promise that the tenants would be severely punished for their actions.

Following the parable, Jesus cites Psalm 118:22, a text applied to Jesus elsewhere in the New Testament (Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7). The stone rejected by the builders is Jesus himself; the one cast out is in fact the cornerstone of the coming kingdom. The stone itself will also ‘crush’ those who oppose it. The ‘chief priests and the Pharisees’ recognise that this parable is about them (v. 45), fuelling their continuing opposition.

This is a challenging parable to interpret, partly due to the details of violence and punishment it includes. Parables, however, include a range of symbols and images in the service of their message, and the images found in this parable would resonate with those in the culture of the time.

Jesus’ statement that "the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces its fruit" (v. 43) is also challenging. This is not a text about the Jewish people, however, but rather about the religious leaders Jesus criticises (v. 45). The Early Church, after all, was made up of both Jewish and Gentile (non-Jewish) followers of Jesus.

While it is a parable reflecting a context in Jesus’ ministry, perhaps the challenge we take from it is is to ‘keep watch’ for Christ in our midst and – unlike the wicked tenants – remain faithful to the calling we’ve received.

To Ponder:

• In what ways might the Christian faith provoke opposition today?
• How can churches remain faithful to the gospel they have received?

Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Ed Mackenzie
Ed Mackenzie works at Cliff College as the Programme Lead for the BA in Theology and Mission and the Senior Lecturer in New Testament Studies and Biblical Theology.