Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 21:39

39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.

Mark and Luke have the same with no considerable Alteration. Our Lord here Prophecieth his own Death, by the means of these wicked Priests, and so both lets them know, that he was not ignorant of what was in their Hearts, and they had been already (as we heard before) taking Counsel about, by which they might again have concluded, that he was the Son of God, and one who knew their Hearts; and he also let them know, that they should not surprize him, and that he was not afraid of them. But when the Husband-men saw the Son, they said, This is the Heir. These Words let the Pharisees (to whom together with the People, he at that time sp[illegible: 1 letter]ke) know, that themselves knew he was the Son of God, and were Convicted in their [illegible: 1 letter]wn Consciences, that he was the true Lord of the Church. Tho this was not true of all that had an hand in Crucifying Chri[illegible: 1 letter]t: For Paul saith of some of them, that if they had known him, they would not have Crucified the Lord of Life, yet it was do[illegible: 1 letter]btless true of many of them, and those the most knowing Men among[illegible: 1 letter]t them B[illegible: 1 letter]t herein did their mo[illegible: 2 letters] Prodigious Blindness, and madness [illegible: 1 letter]ppear, that when they knew this, they should think it po[illegible: 3 letters]b[illegible: 1 letter]e to prevent his being set as King upon the Lords Holy Hill of Sion. One would think this were impo[illegible: 3 letters]ble to Rational Creatures. But why should we think so? How many are there in the World this Day, that are Convict in their own Conciences, and do believe that the ways, and People whom they prosecute to their Ruin, yea to Death it self, are the Truths, the Ways, the People of God, yet they will be Kicking against the Pricks; and tho God makes many of them perish in their Enterprises, and su[illegible: 2 letters]ers them not to come with Hoary Heads to the Grave in Peace, yet there ariseth another in stead of this Hydra a Po[illegible: 2 letters]erity approving their doings, and thinking, tho their Fathers failed in this or that little Policy, yet they shall prevail against God, and his Inheritance shall be theirs. Wise Providence thus fitteth the Saints for their Crown, and suffers Sinners to prepare themselves for the Day of Wrath.