Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:

MATTHEW 21:33KJV
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Matthew 21:33 (KJV)

What does Matthew 21:33 mean?

Matthew 21:33 describes Jesus telling a parable about a landowner who carefully prepares a vineyard, puts protective measures in place, and then rents it out to tenant farmers before leaving for another country. The verse sets up a story about responsibility and stewardship, highlighting the care taken in preparing the vineyard and the trust placed in those who would manage it.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to the religious leaders in Jerusalem during the final week before his crucifixion. He uses the image of a vineyard—a familiar symbol for Israel in the Hebrew Scriptures—to begin a parable that will address how those entrusted with spiritual leadership have handled their responsibilities. The details about planting, fencing, digging a winepress, and building a tower show the owner’s thorough preparation and investment, setting the stage for what follows in the parable.

The Greek behind Matthew 21:33

  • "παραβολή" (parabolē, G3850) means "parable" or "story with a lesson." Here, it signals that Jesus is about to teach an important truth through a story rather than a direct statement.
  • "οἰκοδεσπότης" (oikodespotēs, G3617) means "householder" or "master of the house," emphasizing the authority and ownership of the one who prepared the vineyard.
  • "ἀμπελῶνα" (ampelōna, G290) means "vineyard," a word often used in the Old Testament to represent Israel, making the connection clear to Jesus’ listeners.
  • "ἐξέδοτο" (exedoto, G1554) means "let out" or "leased," showing that the owner entrusted the vineyard to others, which is key to understanding the coming conflict in the parable.

Why Matthew 21:33 matters

  • Matthew 21:33 helps clarify that Jesus is addressing the leaders of Israel by using imagery they would recognize from their own Scriptures, setting up a pointed critique.
  • The verse emphasizes the care and intentionality of the landowner, which highlights the seriousness of the responsibility given to the tenants and underlines the owner’s right to expect good stewardship.
  • Understanding the setup in Matthew 21:33 is crucial for grasping the rest of the parable, which deals with accountability, rejection of messengers, and ultimately, the consequences of failing to honor the trust given by God.

Where else these words appear

“digged” Greek G3736 · used in 3 verses

  • Matthew 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
  • Mark 12:1 And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.

“hedged” Greek G5418 · used in 4 verses

  • Mark 12:1 And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
  • Luke 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
  • Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

“winepress” Greek G3025 · used in 4 verses

  • Revelation 14:19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
  • Revelation 14:20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
  • Revelation 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

“tower” Greek G4444 · used in 4 verses

  • Mark 12:1 And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
  • Luke 13:4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
  • Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?