Mat 21:33-34 | RWP | e4.org | A hedge ( φραγμον ). Or fence as a protection against wild beasts. Digged a winepress ( ωρυξεν ληνον ). Out of the solid rock to hold the grapes and wine as they were crushed. Such wine-vats are to be seen today in Palestine. Built a tower ( ωικοδομησεν πυργον ). This for the vinedressers and watchmen ( ). Utmost care was thus taken. Note "a booth in a vineyard" ( ). See also ; . Let it out ( εξεδετο, εξεδοτο the usual form). For hire, the terms not being given. The lease allowed three forms, money-rent, a proportion of the crop, or a definite amount of the produce whether it was a good or bad year. Probably the last form is that contemplated here.

‏ Matthew 21:33-34

A hedge ( φραγμον ). Or fence as a protection against wild beasts.

Digged a winepress ( ωρυξεν ληνον ). Out of the solid rock to hold the grapes and wine as they were crushed. Such wine-vats are to be seen today in Palestine.

Built a tower ( ωικοδομησεν πυργον ). This for the vinedressers and watchmen (2Ch 26:10). Utmost care was thus taken. Note "a booth in a vineyard" (Isa 1:8). See also Isa 24:20; Job 27:18. Let it out ( εξεδετο, εξεδοτο the usual form). For hire, the terms not being given. The lease allowed three forms, money-rent, a proportion of the crop, or a definite amount of the produce whether it was a good or bad year. Probably the last form is that contemplated here.

His servants ( τους δουλους αυτου ). These slaves are distinguished from

the husbandmen ( γεωργο, workers of the soil) or workers of the vineyard who had leased it from the householder before he went away. The conduct of the husbandmen towards the householder's slaves portrays the behaviour of the Jewish people and the religious leaders in particular towards the prophets and now towards Christ. The treatment of God's prophets by the Jews pointedly illustrates this parable.