Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 21:33

"Hear another parable: There was a man that was a householder, who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country." — Matthew 21:33 (ASV)

This parable is probably addressed not only to Jewish rulers (v.2) but to the crowds in the temple courts (though not excluding the rulers; cf. Lk 20:9). “Another” links this parable with the last one. These verses clearly allude to Isa 5:1–7 and Ps 80:6-16; Jesus’ parable is an old theme with new variations. The pains the landowner takes show his care for the vineyard. He builds a wall to keep out animals, a watchtower to guard against thieves and fire, and a winepress to squeeze the grapes right there. He is confident that his vineyard will bear fruit. The tenant farmers take care of the vineyard during the owner’s absence and pay rent in kind. The “servants” are the owner’s agents sent to collect some of his fruit.