2025 Study of Matthew’s Gospel

JESUS, THE CORNERSTONE

Matthew 21:33-46

Key Verses 21:42

1. What might the landowner, vineyard, and farmers represent in the context of Jesus’ teaching (33)? What do the landowner’s careful preparations reveal about his character and his relationship with the farmers? What can we learn from the fact that the landowner expected fruit from his vineyard (34)?
2. Who might the servants represent in Israel’s history (35-36)? What does the tenants’ violent behavior reveal about their attitude toward the owner? Why do you think the landowner kept sending more servants, even after the others were mistreated?
3. Who does the son represent in this parable (37)? What does the landowner’s decision to send his son show about his heart, patience, and hope? What does this story reveal about the human heart’s resistance toward God (38-39)?
4. What does the listeners’ response reveal about their understanding of justice (40-41)? What does it mean that “the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (42)? What do we learn about the different ways people respond to God’s truth (43-46)?