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Luke 20

And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,

And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?

But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.

And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.

And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.

And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.

And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.

Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.

But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.

So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?

He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.

And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:

Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?

But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?

Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.

And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.

And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,

Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.

And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.

And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.

Last of all the woman died also.

Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.

And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.

And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.

And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son?

And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?

Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,

Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;

Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

What does Luke 20:10 mean?

Explanation

Luke 20:10 tells a part of the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, which is a story Jesus uses to illustrate a spiritual point.

In the parable, a man (representing God) plants a vineyard and rents it out to tenants (representing the people of Israel) while he travels abroad.

At harvest time, he sends a servant (representing the prophets) to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard.

However, the tenants mistreat the servant and send him away without any fruit. The literal meaning is straightforward: the tenants refuse to give the owner his due and abuse his messenger. Metaphorically, it refers to the people of Israel's rejection of God's prophets and their messages.

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Historical Context

The Gospel according to Luke is believed to have been written around 80-110 AD, a time when the early Christian community was reflecting on the life and teachings of Jesus.

This parable is directed primarily at the religious leaders of Israel, who would have been familiar with the symbolism of a vineyard representing the nation of Israel, as found in other parts of the Hebrew Bible, like in Isaiah 5:1-7.

Theological Insights

Theologically, the Parable of the Wicked Tenants serves as a critique of Israel's leaders and a prophetic warning.

From a Christian perspective, it prefigures the rejection of Jesus as the cornerstone (verse 17) and the eventual opening of the kingdom of God to the Gentiles.

Some theologians see the "servants" as representing the Old Testament prophets, who were often rejected and mistreated by the people they were sent to.

Practical Applications

This verse can be viewed as a call for faithfulness and stewardship in the ways individuals or communities respond to God's messages and messengers.

It encourages believers to receive and respect those sent by God and to bear the fruits of righteousness in their lives.

It also warns against the danger of becoming so self-centered that one violently rejects God's demands.

Cross-References

Isaiah 5:1-7 – The vineyard as a symbol for Israel and God's disappointment with its fruit.
Matthew 21:33-41 – Matthew's account of the Parable of the Wicked Tenants.
Mark 12:1-9 – Mark's account of the Parable of the Wicked Tenants.
Jeremiah 7:25-26 – A reference to God sending servants (prophets) who were not heeded.
Nehemiah 9:26 – Describes the mistreatment of God's prophets.

Language Study

In the original Greek text of Luke 20:10, the word for "servant" is δοῦλος (doulos), which can mean a bond-servant or slave.

"Vineyard" translates to ἀμπελών (ampelōn), a frequent biblical symbol for a place requiring care and capable of producing valuable fruit.

"Fruit" is καρπός (karpos), which can be taken literally as agricultural produce or metaphorically as the outcomes or results of labor.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing to other cultural texts, the vineyard as a symbol of a people or domain under divine judgment can be seen across various Near Eastern texts.

For example, Sumerian and Babylonian texts depict gods overseeing regions represented by agricultural symbols.

In religion, it's common to see the theme of divine messengers being rejected, such as the figure of Tiresias in Greek mythology who, much like biblical prophets, is often ignored or scorned.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically, the parable may not directly intersect with modern understandings, but the treatment of servants can be examined through social psychology, such as the phenomena of in-group/out-group dynamics, where out-group messengers (like prophets or servants in parables) are less likely to be heeded.

Commentaries

Expert commentaries on this verse affirm its place within the broader narrative of Jesus' teachings, pointing out its allegorical nature and its role in condemning the religious leaders of the time.

Matthew Henry's commentary emphasizes the severity of the tenants' actions and their grave implications.

The Pulpit Commentary discusses the symbol of the vineyard and the prophetic figure of the servant, relating it to the broader mission of Jesus and the fate of the prophets before him.

Luke 20

Luke 20

What does Luke 20:10 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 20:10 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?