Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 21:41

"They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will let out the vineyard unto other husbandmen, who shall render him the fruits in their seasons." — Matthew 21:41 (ASV)

Their reply was probably made complete and full of details, so that they might hide their own shame by a parade of justice in a case which they wanted people to think was no concern of theirs. Indeed, they pronounced upon themselves the sentence of being wicked men, to be miserably destroyed, and to have their offices given to better men, “he will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen.” They could not or would not give an opinion regarding the mission of John the Baptist, but it seems that they could form a judgment as to themselves. The Lord’s vineyard passed over to other husbandmen, and the apostles and the first preachers of the Gospel were found faithful to their trust.

Even now, there are many professed ministers of Christ who are abandoning the truth which He has committed to His stewards as a sacred trust and setting up a doctrine of their own. Oh, that the Lord would raise up a people “who shall render him the fruits in their seasons!” The hallmark of a faithful minister is his giving to God all the glory of any work that he is enabled to do. That which does not magnify the Lord will not bless people.