“Coloni autem dixerunt ad invicem : Hic est hæres : venite, occidamus eum : et nostra erit hæreditas.”
“But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.”
“But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’”
“But those farmers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’”
“But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.”
From this it appears, that the chief priests and lawyers were not ignorant that Christ was the Messias promised in the law and the prophets, but their knowledge was afterwards blinded by their envy: for otherwise, had they known him to be true God, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory, says St. Paul. For a further explanation, see St. Matthew xxi. (Ven. Bede)
Verses 1-12 Christ showed in parables, that he would lay aside the Jewish church. It is sad to think what base usage God's faithful ministers have met with in all ages, from those who have enjoyed the privileges of the church, but have not brought forth fruit answerable. God at length sent his Son, his Well-beloved; and it might be expected that he whom their Master loved, they also should respect and love; but instead of honouring him because he was the Son and Heir, they therefore hated him. But the exaltation of Christ was the Lord's doing; and it is his doing to exalt him in our hearts, and to set up his throne there; and if this be done, it cannot but be marvellous in our eyes. The Scriptures, and faithful preachers, and the coming of Christ in the flesh, call on us to render due praise to God in our lives. Let sinners beware of a proud, carnal spirit; if they revile or despise the preachers of Christ, they would have done so their Master, had they lived when he was upon earth.