Gr. alēthinos, “genuine.” In Bible imagery Israel had been likened to a vine (Ps. 80:8-16; Isa. 5:1-7; 27:2, 3; Jer. 2:21; 12:10). A golden vine decorated the entrance to Herod’s Temple (see Mishnah Middoth 3. 8, Soncino ed. of the Talmud, p. 15), and figures of the leaves of the vine or of clusters of grapes were displayed on coins and architecture. The Jews depended upon their connection with the vine of Israel for their salvation. But Israel had proved unfaithful to its spiritual advantages and had rejected its true king, Jesus. Now Jesus presented Himself as the genuine vine. Only through vital connection with Him could men be saved.
Husbandman.
Gr. geōrgos, “a worker of the soil,” here, a vinedresser. Compare the use of gēorgos in Luke 20:9; 2 Tim. 2:6; James 5:7. Earlier God had taken “a vine out of Egypt” (Ps. 80:8) and had planted it in the land of Canaan. Now He took another vine, His own Son, and planted Him in the land of Israel (see DA 675).