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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 20:13 mean?

Explanation

Luke 20:13 speaks about the owner of a vineyard and his decision in the face of a crisis.

The verse is part of a parable that Jesus tells the people gathered around Him, specifically aimed at the religious leaders of the time.

In the story, a man plants a vineyard, lets it out to tenants, and then goes away for a long time.

When the time comes to collect the fruit of the vineyard, he sends servants to the tenants, but they are beaten and rejected.

Finally, the owner of the vineyard decides to send his beloved son, thinking that the tenants will respect him.

The phrase "it may be they will reverence him when they see him" expresses the owner's hope that sending his son will change the tenants' behavior.

The deeper meaning reflects God's dealings with Israel.

In the parable, the vineyard symbolizes Israel, the tenants represent the religious leaders, and the servants are the prophets sent by God.

The beloved son represents Jesus Himself, being sent by God in the hope that He would be received with respect and honor.

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Historical Context

This parable is set within the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. Luke situates it at a point when Jesus is teaching in the temple during the final week of His life.

The cultural setting is first-century Palestine, where vineyards were common and often leased out by absentee landlords.

The historical audience, primarily Jewish leaders, would have understood the imagery of the vineyard as a common Old Testament metaphor for Israel, particularly from passages like Isaiah 5:1-7.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this parable highlights several key points. Firstly, it underlines the persistent grace of God in sending prophet after prophet to Israel despite their rejection. Secondly, it presents Christ as the Son of God, elevating His status above the prophets.

Finally, it points towards the eventual rejection and crucifixion of Jesus, as the parable's conclusion sees the son being killed by the tenants in their foolish belief that they might gain his inheritance.

Different denominations understand this parable in unique ways:

Traditional Catholic and Protestant interpretations often see this as a foretelling of the church's expansion to the Gentiles following Israel's rejection of Jesus.
Reformed perspectives emphasize the sovereignty of God in the unfolding of salvation history as depicted in the parable.
Liberation theology might view the struggle of the tenants as a reflection of the struggle against unjust social structures, though this interpretation departs from the traditional understanding of the parable.

Practical Applications

The teachings of Luke 20:13 can inspire applications such as:

The importance of being receptive to God's messages and messengers.
Reflect on how God's patience and mercy extend to all, even in the face of rejection.
Realize the seriousness of rejecting Jesus, as the religious leaders did.
Consider the roles that respect and honor play within one's faith journey.

Cross-References

Matthew 21:37: "But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son."
Isaiah 5:1-7: The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant.
Hebrews 1:1-2: God speaking to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things.
Acts 3:13-15: Peter's speech to the Sanhedrin refers to Jesus as the "Son" whom God glorified.

Language Study

In the original Greek, key words include:

"Beloved" (ἀγαπητός, agapetos) often used to describe Jesus as the beloved Son.
"Son" (υἱός, huios) in a New Testament context indicating not just biological offspring but the heir and image of the father.
"Reverence" (ἐντραπήσονται, entrapēsontai) which can also be translated as "respect" or "hold in honor."

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient cultures, such as Greco-Roman mythology, sons of gods often represent divine intervention.
In Judaism, the idea of God using a beloved son as a final messenger has no direct parallel, but the concept of God sending prophets is well-established.
In Islam, Jesus (Isa) is considered a prophet, not the son of God, so the idea of a 'beloved son' has different connotations.

Scientific Perspectives

While the parable is a theological and moral teaching rather than a scientific claim, modern psychological studies on authority and respect might offer insight into the dynamics between the father, the son, and the tenants.

commentaries

Bible scholars and theologians offer various insights into Luke 20:13:

William Barclay notes the increasing urgency and graciousness of God as He sends servant after servant, culminating in His Son.
Matthew Henry's commentary emphasizes the patience of God with humankind and the severity of the judgment that comes upon those who reject His Son.
The Pulpit Commentary discusses the allegorical nature of the parable and links it directly with the history of Israel's prophets and the coming of Christ.

Luke 20

Luke 20

What does Luke 20:13 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 20:13 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?