Matthew 21:46Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Every wicked man also, as far as his will is concerned, lays hands on God, and puts Him to death. For whoso tramples upon God’s commandments, or murmurs against God, or raises a sullen look to heaven, would not he, if he had the power, lay hands on God, and kill Him, that he might sin without restraint?

Hard as were the hearts of the Jews in unbelief, they yet perceived that the Lord’s sentence was directed against themselves.

Across the world, people are more concerned with the opinion of others than with God. Christ communicated through parables and fulfilled prophecies, hoping that their fear might lead them to abandon their sinful ways, yet they instead intensified their desire to eliminate Him. He was aware that they would not alter their ways, but still, He carried out His mission tirelessly, leaving no obligation unmet.

One thing they know which is true concerning Him; they esteemed Him a Prophet, though not understanding His greatness in respect of His being the Son of God. But the rulers feared the multitude who thought thus of Him, and were ready to fight for Him; for they could not attain to the understanding which the multitude had, seeing they thought nothing worthy concerning Him. Further, know that there are two different kinds of desires to lay hands on Jesus. The desire of the rulers and Pharisees was one kind; another that of the Bride, I held him, and would not let him go; (Song of Sol. 3:4. ch. 7:8.) intending to try Him still further, as she saith, I will get me up into the palm tree, I will lay hold of its height.

This, that they are afraid to lay hands on Jesus because of the multitudes, is daily acted in the Church, when any who is a brother only in name, is ashamed or afraid to assail the unity of faith and peace which he does not love, because of the good men with whom he lives.

They left the Lord bearing expressions akin to those of men faced with public disgrace, yet they still sought to avoid universal disdain. However, the Lord continually responded to His adversaries with compassion. What might have transpired had He openly proclaimed Himself the Messiah, as the scribes and Pharisees desired? Their aim was, of course, to leverage such a declaration as a feeble rationale for accusing Him before the Romans. But what peril were they putting both Jerusalem and themselves in? If the people had heard Him claim to be the Messiah, insurrection against their oppressors would have erupted, putting the chief priests and scribes at great risk.

To emphasize the theme of the chosen people's rejection due to their persistent defiance, the Lord referenced the prophet and Psalmist, who had long ago predicted the astonishing reality that those responsible for construction would dismiss the very stone destined to be the cornerstone. He further indicated that different workers would be called upon for the harvest of the Lord's vineyard.

The high priests and Pharisees, filled with rage towards Jesus for His public criticism of them, were eager to seize Him and put Him to death themselves. However, they feared that the crowd, who respected Him—if not as the Messiah, then at least as a prophet—would defend Him.

The significance and intention behind these parables were made increasingly apparent to them, stirring within them a desire for retribution. Yet, they were held back by fear, as Christ continued to be regarded as a prominent prophet among the populace.

The crowd held a deep respect for the Lord as a prophet, and due to a sense of unrest, they worried that the actions of the chief priests and Pharisees against Him could incite a rebellion, something to which the Jewish populace was often predisposed.

The high priests, scribes, and Pharisees recognized that the Savior's parables were directed at them. The disgrace of their nation fueled their animosity toward the Lord Jesus Christ, leading them to desire His capture, yet they feared the populace who regarded Him as a prophet. Through the Lord's wise warnings, they grasped essential truths: the Messiah they spurned identified Himself as the foundational stone upon which the joy of the new Israel would be built; He was aware of their malicious and murderous intentions; and the suffering and death that awaited Him did not deter Him, for He was resolved to accomplish all that was ordained for the redemption of humanity by God's prior providence. Rather than reflect upon their consciences and objectively reconsider the matter over which they quarreled (Lk. 2:34), Christ’s foes allowed resentment to fester within them.