Jesus was talking with the most senior religious officials (the Chief Priests and Elders of the people - Matthew 21:23). He asked them questions to show them their hypocrisy - their hearts reeked of spiritual poverty, despite their social distinction and wealth (Matthew 23:23-26). It was also to teach His trainee apostles that they must not fall into the same error. Spiritual authenticity would be a key issue in the early church (1 Corinthians 11:17-22).

Jesus told another agricultural story with a shocking meaning. The landowner in this story planned and planted a vineyard - a well-understood Old Testament metaphor for Israel (Isaiah 5:7). He also built appropriate security to protect the crops from being ravaged by animals or pilfered by thieves. Having set up the estate, he then rented it to tenant farmers before leaving the estate in their hands and moving on to set up another business.

Jesus was rejected by the people who should have welcomed Him (John 1:10-11). But it was not a surprise, because Isaiah had predicted it some 700 years previously (Isaiah 53:3). Jesus was fully aware of the ordeal which faced Him and He told the disciples on several occasions although they did not understand what He was saying. Even after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, they could not see the prophetic connections (John 12:12-16). Now He was rebuking the religious leaders for not grasping the significance of the Scriptures which they claimed were God’s Word to them (John 5:39).

Weddings are usually eagerly awaited social events. The opportunity to join in the joy of others is a great privilege. That is especially so when the invitation is given by the king and the bridegroom is the king's son. Jesus used that scenario as the basis for another parable to the religious leaders; regarded as spiritual authorities but who did not want to accept His teaching. Neither did they want Him to stir up the people against their control.