Matthew 21:23-46

Jesus was approached by the religious leaders in the temple who wanted to know under whose authority He was working. Jesus offered them a deal - they answer His question and He'd answer theirs: Was John the Baptist given authority by heaven or men? The leaders knew that they were trapped no matter how they answered, so chose to say they didn't know. Jesus, in turn, did not answer their question.

Jesus did answer their question, although indirectly. The answer to their question was the same as the answer to His. By acknowledging that John was acting under God's authority, they would also have to acknowledge that Jesus was working under God's authority. It should have been clear to them. Time and time again, Jesus told those looking for a direct answer to whether He was the Messiah to look at the miracles He had performed. If these leaders would have been open to the truth, they would have seen it and not needed to ask. Likewise, we need to be open to what Jesus is doing in our lives. When we leave behind the doubts and misconceptions, it becomes evident that Jesus is our Savior.


Jesus gave them a story to think about wherein a man asks each of his sons to do work in his vineyard. The first initially says no, but feels bad later and goes anyway. The second says he will go but never does. Jesus asked which one did his father's will, to which the leaders replied, the first. Jesus then unfolds the deeper meaning by telling them that the tax collectors and prostitutes that heard John the Baptist and repented were in a better position than them to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Like the second son, the religious leaders were all talk and no action. They weren't doing the things God truly wanted them to do. They made a good show, but ultimately missed the mark. Empty religion is not pleasing to God. To honor Him with the things we say, but not the things we do is to not honor Him at all.


Jesus told them another story about a man who left his vineyard to be tended by some farmers. When he sent his servants to collect his share, they were beaten and/or killed. He finally decided to send his son, thinking that they would at least show respect for him, but they killed the son as well. Jesus asked what they thought the landowner would do to the farmers. They responded that the landowner would kill the farmers and bring in new farmers to tend the vines.

God had sent many prophets to the Jewish people who were rejected and/or killed. Now here is His Son who has been sent and is about to be killed as well. Not understanding the full meaning of Jesus' story, the religious leaders give the correct answer nevertheless. God had tried to give His chosen people every opportunity to share in the harvest, but they had rejected His messengers time and time again. It was now time to bring in new workers for the harvest to come.