When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke about them.
Parallel translations
- KJV And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
- BSB When the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they knew that Jesus was speaking about them.
- NKJV Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them.
- NASB When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them.
- NLT When the leading priests and Pharisees heard this parable, they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The chief priests and Pharisees realize the parables are aimed at them. Conviction, however, hardens rather than softens them.
Overview
The leaders correctly perceive that Jesus is exposing their guilt and pronouncing their judgment. Yet rather than repenting, they react with hostility, illustrating the parable's very point about rejecting the son. Their understanding without repentance deepens their accountability before God.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Luke 20:19The chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him that very hour, but they feared the people — for they knew he had spoken this parable against them.
- Luke 11:45One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, in saying this you insult us also.”
- Matt 12:12Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 21:45 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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