³⁴收果子 的时候 近了 ，就打发 仆人 到 园户 那里去收 果子 。

³⁴ Verse 34. He sent his servants] Prophets, which, from time to

time, he sent to the Jewish nation to call both priests and people

back to the purity of his holy religion.



Receive the fruits of it.] Alluding to the ancient custom of

paying the rent of a farm in kind; that is, by a part of the

produce of the farm. This custom anciently prevailed in most

nations; and still prevails in the highlands of Scotland, and in

some other places. The Boldon book, a survey made of the state of

the bishopric of Durham in 1183, shows how much of the rents was

paid in cows, sheep, pigs, fowls, eggs, &c., the remaining part

being made up chiefly by manual labour.