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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 20:11 mean?

Explanation

Luke 20:11 conveys a part of the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, as recounted by Jesus in the New Testament.

In this verse, the vineyard owner (who symbolizes God) sends another servant (symbolizing the prophets) to the tenants (the people of Israel) to collect some of the fruit of the vineyard (the response of the people to God's message).

However, the tenants mistreat this servant as well, beating him, disrespecting him, and sending him away empty-handed, without the fruits that were due.

The deeper meaning of this verse centers on the repeated rejection and violence meted out by God's people to those He sent to guide them and warn them, illustrating the persistent disobedience and disrespect that characterized the relationship between the Israelites and divine messengers.

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Historical Context

The Gospel of Luke was written against the backdrop of the early Christian movement, among tensions between Roman authorities, Jewish religious leaders, and the followers of Jesus Christ in the 1st century CE.

Parables like the one in Luke 20:11 were used by Jesus to teach moral lessons and to prophesy events that would unfold, including the eventual rejection and crucifixion of Jesus himself.

The historical context may reflect how prophets were being treated in the time of Jesus, as well as looking back at the treatment of prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Theological Insights

Theologically, Luke 20:11 illustrates the patience and perseverance of God, as He sends servant after servant to reach out to His people despite the terrible treatment they receive. The continued rejection of these servants ultimately points to the rejection of Jesus, the Son of God.

This verse implies an indictment of the religious authorities of Jesus' time and illustrates God's grace yet the consequences that accrue from its rejection.

Practical Applications

From a practical standpoint, Luke 20:11 can be seen to encourage perseverance in the face of adversity and rejection.

Additionally, it serves as a warning against the stubborn refusal to listen to those who may be sent to offer guidance or correction. For believers, it is a call to be receptive to God's word and to treat His messengers with respect and consideration.

Cross-References

Matthew 21:35-36: "And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.

Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise."

Jeremiah 7:25: "Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them."
Hebrews 11:36-37: "And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;"

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the term used for "servant" is "δοῦλον" (doulon), which translates to "servant" or "slave," often reflecting the humble status and vulnerability of the messenger.

The word for "beat" is "δέρω" (derō), which implies a physical lashing or thrashing.

The phrase "entreated him shamefully" from "ἀτιμάζω" (atimazō) indicates a severe dishonor and disrespect, encompassing both physical and moral abuse.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the wider cultural and religious context, prophets and messengers in different traditions were often met with resistance or violence.

For example, in Greek mythology, messengers of the gods could also be subjects of human anger or divine punishment.

This recurring theme underscores a broader human tendency to challenge or reject authority, particularly spiritual or moral authority.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the verse does not pertain to any direct scientific concept or principle.

However, fields such as psychology and sociology study human behavior, including aspects of violence and rejection in reaction to perceived threats to authority or disruptive messages, which can be indirectly related to the themes of the verse.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have offered various interpretations of Luke 20:11.

Some view it as a clear foretelling of Jesus' own fate at the hands of religious leaders. Others emphasize the element of God's mercy and longsuffering in continually reaching out to His people.

Commentators also reflect on the historical treatment of the prophets and draw parallels between their experiences and the experience of Jesus.

There is also discussion on the accountability of those who, like the tenants, are entrusted with the care of God's "vineyard" and their eventual judgment for their actions.

Luke 20

Luke 20

What does Luke 20:11 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 20:11 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?