Matthew 21:40 Meaning and Explanation
“When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus asks what the owner will do to the tenants when he returns.
What Does Matthew 21:40 Mean?
Jesus pauses the parable to ask His hearers directly: when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants? The question presses them to render their own judgment on the wickedness they have just heard described.
By drawing out the answer, Jesus leads His listeners to pronounce the verdict themselves. The owner will surely come, and there will be a reckoning for what the tenants have done. The question reminds every hearer that God is not indifferent to how His trust is honored or betrayed. A day of accounting awaits, and the parable summons each heart to consider how it has answered the Lord's gracious claims.
Matthew 21:40 in the Original Language
kyrios (κύριος), 'lord' -- the rightful owner who will return to call the tenants to account.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 21:40
What does Matthew 21:40 mean?
Jesus asks what the owner will do to the tenants when he returns.