And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.

MATTHEW 21:35KJV
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Matthew 21:35 (KJV)

What does Matthew 21:35 mean?

Matthew 21:35 describes how the tenant farmers (husbandmen) violently mistreated the landowner’s servants: they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. This verse shows the escalating rejection and cruelty the tenants showed toward those sent by the landowner.

In this part of Jesus’ parable, He is speaking to the religious leaders in Jerusalem. The story uses the image of a vineyard and its tenants to illustrate how God’s messengers (the servants) were treated by Israel’s leaders throughout history. The verse highlights the repeated and increasing violence against those sent to call the people back to faithfulness.

The Greek behind Matthew 21:35

  • ἔλαβον (elabon, “took”): This word often means to seize or lay hold of, suggesting forceful action by the tenants against the servants.
  • ἐδείραν (edeiran, “beat”): This verb can mean to strike or to whip, indicating harsh physical abuse, not just a mild beating.
  • ἐλιθοβόλησαν (elithobolēsan, “stoned”): This word specifically refers to the act of pelting with stones, a method of execution in ancient times, showing the severity of the tenants’ violence.

Why Matthew 21:35 matters

  • Matthew 21:35 clarifies that the rejection of God’s messengers was not a one-time event but a repeated pattern, each time with greater violence.
  • The verse emphasizes the responsibility and guilt of the tenants, making clear that their actions were deliberate and escalating.
  • This detail connects the parable to Israel’s history, where prophets were often mistreated or killed, and it sets up the climax of the story, pointing toward how the son (Jesus) will be treated.

Where else these words appear

“stoned” Greek G3036 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
  • Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
  • Acts 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

“beat” Greek G1194 · used in 15 verses

  • Mark 12:3 And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.
  • Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
  • Acts 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

“husbandmen” Greek G1092 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 21:33 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:
  • 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 20:10 And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.

“killed” Greek G615 · used in 71 verses

  • Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
  • Luke 11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
  • Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: