Many biblical scholars believe that the tension between Matthew's community and their Jewish neighbors can also be heard in today's reading. Matthew's Gospel was written about 70 years after Jesus' death and reflects the conflicts and tensions found in the Christian community for whom Matthew was writing. Clearly this Gospel shows the tension that was mounting between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders who thought that his message was dangerous. Matthew names the religious leaders as Pharisees and chief priests. In Matthew's version, the religious leaders condemn themselves in Mark's Gospel, Jesus answers his own question. There are some notable differences, however. Today's Gospel has a parallel in Mark 12:1-12. The chief priests and elders have condemned themselves with their answer to Jesus' question. Yet Jesus nonetheless explains the meaning of the parable for his audience: the Kingdom of God will be taken from the unbelieving and given to the faithful. Jesus doesn't, therefore, have to explain the symbolism of the parable the Pharisees would have understood that the vineyard represented Israel, the landowner represented God, the servants represented the prophets, and the bad tenants represented the religious leaders. ![]() In telling the parable, Jesus is clearly drawing upon Isaiah 5:1-7, which is today's first reading and one that the priests and elders would have known well. They all agree that the landowner will kill the wicked tenants and give the land to new tenants who will pay the rent. The tenants, believing that they will inherit the vineyard if the landowner dies without an heir, plot together and kill the landowner's son.Īfter telling the parable, Jesus questions the chief priests and elders about what the landowner will do to the wicked tenants. Finally, the landowner sends his son to collect his rent. Several times the servants are sent to collect payment, and each time they are beaten and killed by the tenants. In this parable, the landowner leases his vineyard to tenants and sends his servants to collect the portion of the harvest that the tenants owe to him. ![]() In today's Gospel, Jesus once again speaks to the priests and elders with a parable. After refusing to answer their questions, Jesus tells the parable of the two sons and then criticizes the priests and elders for their lack of belief in John the Baptist. Today's Gospel follows directly after last Sunday's Gospel in which Jesus was questioned by Jewish religious leaders about the source of his teaching authority. Jesus tells the parable about the wicked tenants. Paul encourages the Philippians to stay faithful to the teaching they received from him. The Lord protects his vineyard, the house of Israel. ![]() The Lord compares the house of Israel to a vineyard.
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