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Matthew 21:38

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

But when the workers saw the son coming, they said to each other, 'This is the one who's going to inherit everything. Come on, let's kill him and take what should be his.'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

Sometimes people will try to destroy you to steal what's meant for you.

📚 Historical Context

In the biblical narrative, Jesus tells the Parable of the Wicked Tenants to the religious leaders in Jerusalem, drawing from Old Testament imagery like Isaiah's vineyard song to symbolize God's people as unfaithful stewards. This verse specifically depicts the tenants plotting to kill the owner's son and seize his inheritance, representing how Israel's leaders rejected and planned to kill Jesus, the Son of God, as a way to maintain their power. Historically, this parable was spoken during Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, amid growing conflict with the Jewish authorities who opposed His messianic claims.

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