John Bengel Commentary - Matthew 21:33 - 21:33

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John Bengel Commentary - Matthew 21:33 - 21:33


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Mat 21:33. Οἰκοδεσπότης, a householder) who had a large family [sc. of servants, labourers, etc.]-ἀμπελῶνα, a vineyard) i.e. the Jewish Church.-φραγμὸν, a hedge) i.e. the law.[934]-ληνὸν, a winepress) i.e. Jerusalem.-πύργον, a tower) i.e. the temple; see Mat 21:23.[935]-ἀπεδήμησεν, went into a far country) The time of Divine silence is meant, when men act according to their own will and pleasure [pro arbitrio]: cf. ch. Mat 25:14, and Mar 13:34.

[934] In the note in the Germ. Vers., Bengel interprets the Hedge, with a slight change of the figure, of the separation of the people of Israel from all the nations of the earth, including at the same time the idea of the divine protection afforded to the former against the latter: the Winepress, the order of the priesthood: the Tower, the Kingdom (Theocracy). We should not, however, on account of this difference between his former and his latter views in this instance, conclude that such details in Parables are mere empty flowers of ornament. The parts of an enigma, however abstruse, are not idle. Comp. what is said below in Gnomon on ch. Mat 22:11.-E. B.

[935] ἐξέδοτο αὐτὸν, let it out) This is the ground on which rests the power of the Church. The vineyard was let out to husbandmen. They who preside in either political or ecclesiastical offices, can indeed act according to their own pleasure, and, like the holders of the vineyard, consult only their own private interests: they can maltreat the servants of the Lord: they can wantonly wrest aside the laws of the Church according to their caprice: and can in this way, though not now as then kill the Heir Himself, yet thrust Him out fur some time from His own proper place. But-the time of Visitation is coming at last.-V. g.