One obvious difference between Matthew and the texts of Mark and Luke is that Matthew uses the plural of servants, while Mark and Luke both retain the singular. This is in keeping with the allegorical intention of Matthew, who sees in the group of servants the representation of the prophets.

Beat one, killed another, and stoned another also differs markedly from Mark and Luke, according to which the mistreatment of the owner’s representatives is done to one of them at a time, in an ascending degree of injury and insult.

Stoned can mean the tenants threw stones at the servant, but the word was generally used to mean they killed someone in this way. If it is possible to remain neutral on this point, as English is, that may be best. “Attacked with stones” is a way to do this.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .