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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 20:15 mean?

Explanation

The verse Luke 20:15 is part of the Parable of the Tenants, a story Jesus tells to convey a message about the kingdom of God, its current caretakers (the religious leaders), and the coming changes due to their mismanagement.

In this parable, a man (representing God) plants a vineyard (symbolic of Israel) and rents it to some farmers (symbolic of the religious leaders).

When the man sends servants (prophets) to collect his share of the fruit, the tenants beat and treat them shamefully.

Eventually, the man sends his beloved son (representing Jesus) believing they will respect him.

However, the tenants, hoping to inherit the vineyard, cast the son out of the vineyard and kill him.

The killing of the son outside the vineyard reflects the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus by the religious leaders, which takes place outside the city of Jerusalem.

This act indicates their ultimate rejection of God's authority and their desire to claim the vineyard for themselves, denying the rightful heir.

This verse implores the listeners to consider the right judgment or response from the owner of the vineyard, prompting an answer that aligns with divine justice.

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Historical Context

This verse is set in the context of Holy Week in Jerusalem, shortly before Jesus' crucifixion.

Jesus is in the temple courts, engaging with and challenging the authority of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and teachers of the law.

These leaders are increasingly hostile towards Jesus because they see him as a threat to their religious authority and the status quo.

During this time, Israel was under Roman occupation, which often influenced the actions and leadership of Jewish religious authorities.

The historical background also involves a history of prophets being mistreated by Israel, which is referenced in the parable when the servants sent by the vineyard owner are abused by the tenants.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this parable and particularly Luke 20:15, have been interpreted as a prophetic warning and an indictment of Israel's religious leaders.

They stand accused of not only failing to produce the fruits of the kingdom (justice, mercy, faithfulness) but also rejecting God's messengers and His Son.

The question the owner poses about what he will do to the tenants implies divine judgment and the transfer of the vineyard to others who will be faithful, which has been interpreted as the expansion of God's kingdom to include Gentiles and others beyond the immediate cultural context of Israel.

From a Christian perspective, it is about God's patient attempts to call humanity to repentance and the ultimate cost of ignoring His appeal. It also touches upon the theme of Jesus as the cornerstone rejected by the builders, becoming the foundation of a new spiritual edifice.

Practical Applications

This parable serves as a cautionary tale to religious leaders and followers alike to remain faithful stewards of the spiritual truths and responsibilities entrusted to them.

It underscores the importance of obedience to God and openness to His messengers, including embracing change when it comes from divine guidance.

For modern readers, this verse can motivate introspection regarding personal response to divine instruction and the messengers God sends into our lives.

It's a reminder not to take for granted the position, blessings, or roles one has, and to produce fruits in keeping with repentance and the kingdom of God.

Cross-References

Matthew 21:33-41: This parable also appears in the Book of Matthew, where the same themes and events are recounted.
Mark 12:1-9: Mark's account of the Parable of the Tenants, sharing similar elements with Luke's narration.
Isaiah 5:1-7: The song of the vineyard which sets a similar framework regarding Israel as God's vineyard that failed to produce good fruit.
Hebrews 13:12: "Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate."

Language Study

The original Greek for key terms in Luke 20:15 includes:

"cast out" (ἐξέβαλον): Meaning to throw out or send away with force.
"vineyard" (ἀμπελῶνα): Referring to a place where grapes are grown, symbolically Israel or the Kingdom of God.
"killed" (ἀπέκτειναν): To murder or put to death.

These words together emphasize a violent rejection and the unjust treatment of the son, underscoring the gravity of the tenants’ actions.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The theme of killing a rightful heir to usurp an inheritance has analogies in many ancient myths and stories, such as in various Greek tragedies where characters attempt to defy fate or overthrow the natural order, only to face dire consequences.

In the context of religious interpretations, similar motifs exist where religious figures, who are seen as representatives of divine authority, are rejected by the very communities they were sent to guide or save.

Scientific Perspectives

This verse is not typically examined from a scientific perspective since it deals with matters of parable, allegory, and spiritual symbolism.

However, in the broader narrative of the parable, one could reflect on the agricultural practices of the ancient Near East or the psychological aspects of authority and rejection within a hierarchical system as elements with potential interest for scientific inquiry.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars like William Barclay and N.T.

Wright have examined this parable with keen interest.

Barclay highlights the misuse of freedom by the religious leaders as the tenants who chose to act selfishly rather than righteously.

N.T.

Wright often discusses the socio-political implications of the parable, viewing it as a revolutionary critique of the existing temple authorities and a prediction of the temple's forthcoming destruction.

Most commentaries agree that the parable is a stark portrayal of impending judgment on those who reject God's son and a clarion call to produce the fruits of righteousness in accordance with divine intention.

Luke 20

Luke 20

What does Luke 20:15 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 20:15 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?