Matthew 21:43

Arabic 2018 (الترجمة الكاثوليكيّة (اليسوعيّة))

لِذٰلكَ أَقولُ لَكم: «إِنَّ مَلكوتَ اللهِ سَيُنزَعُ مِنْكُم، ويُعطى لأُمَّةٍ تُثمِرُ ثَمرَه.

What Does This Mean?

In Matthew 21:43, Jesus is speaking and says that the kingdom of God will be taken from those who don't produce good fruit and given to a new group of people who do bring forth the right kind of fruits.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have an orchard with apple trees. If the trees in your orchard stop producing good apples, you might decide to plant new trees that grow yummy apples instead. That's what Jesus is saying about God’s kingdom: He will give it to people who show they really care and do good things.

Historical Background

This verse was written by Matthew, one of the disciples of Jesus, around 80-90 AD. It was directed at Jewish leaders who were resistant to Jesus' teachings. The cultural setting reflects a time when Jewish expectations about God's kingdom conflicted with Jesus' message.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, this can apply to individuals or communities that neglect their spiritual responsibilities and continue in unproductive ways. For example, if a church community focuses more on rules than love, it might lose its effectiveness, while another community focused on kindness may thrive spiritually.

Topics

• salvation
• fruitfulness
• kingdom of God
• rejection
• new covenant
• spiritual responsibility

Related Verses

• Genesis 12:7
• Deuteronomy 30:6
• Isaiah 5:1-7
• Mark 4:26-29
• Luke 8:11-15

Frequently Asked Questions

Who did Jesus mean by 'you' in this verse?

Jesus was addressing the Jewish religious leaders who were rejecting his message and failing to bear spiritual fruit.

What does it mean to bring forth the fruits of God's kingdom?

It means living a life that shows love, compassion, honesty, and other virtues that reflect God’s values and teachings.

How can we ensure we are not like those who lose the kingdom?

By actively practicing faith through good deeds, showing kindness, and staying true to God's commands and teachings in our daily lives.

What are some examples of a 'nation' bringing forth fruit?

Communities or groups that demonstrate love, justice, and righteousness can be seen as bringing forth the fruits of the kingdom, even if they don't come from traditional religious backgrounds.