C58 GOSPEL ACCORDING TO CHAP. XX.
CYRIL.The Jewish rulerswere shut out then,because
theyresistedtheirLord'swill,and made thevineyardbarren
which was entrustedto them. But the cultivationofthe
vineyardwas givento the Priestsof the New Testament,
upon whichthe Scribesand Pharisees,as soou as theyper
ceivedtheforceoftheparable,refuseto permitit,sayingas
follows,God forbid.They didnot howeverescapeany whit
themore,becauseof theirobstinacyand disobediencetothe
faithofChrist.
THEOPHYL. Now Matthew seems to relatethe parable
differently;thatwhen our Saviouraskedindeed,Wliatwill
he do thentothehusbandmen? the Jews answered,he will
miserablydestroythem. But thereisno differencebetween
the two circumstances.The Jews at firstpronouncedthat
opinion,then perceivingthe pointof the parablesaid,God
Aug.de forbid,as Luke here relates.AUG. Or else,in the multi-
n>".v'"tudeofwhichwe arespeakingtherewerethosewho craftily
cap.70. askedour Lord by what authorityHe acted; therewere
thosealsowho notcraftily,butfaithfully,criedaloud,Blessed
isHe who comethin theName of theLord. And so there
would be some who would say,He willmiserablydestroy
thosehusbandmen,and letouthisvineyardtoothers.Which
arerightlysaidtohavebeen thewordsofourLord Himself,
eitheron accountof theirtruth,or becauseof the unityof
the members with the head; whiletherewould be others
alsowho would say to thosewho made thisanswer,God
forbid,inasmuchas theyunderstoodtheparablewas spoken
againstthemselves.It follows,And He beheldthem,and
said,What isthisthenthatiswritten,The stonewhichthe
buildersrejected,thesame isbecometheheadofthecorner?
BEDE. As ifHe said,How shallthe prophecybe fulfilled,
exceptUnit.Christ,beingrejectedand slainby you,isto
be preachedto the Gentiles,who willbelieveon Him, that
as the cornerstoneHe may thusfrom both nationsbuild
up one templeto Himself? KiM.I;.Christiscalleda slonc
on accountof His earthlybody,cutoutwithouthands,asin
i)an.2, thevisionofDaniel,becauseofHis birthoftheVirgin.But
3*' thestoneisneitherofsilvernorgold,becauseHe isnotany
gloriousKing,but a man lowlyaud despised,whereforethe
buildersrejectedHim. THEOPHYL. For the rulersof the