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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 20:16 mean?

Explanation

Luke 20:16 speaks of a parable Jesus told concerning a vineyard owner and his tenants.

In the parable, the vineyard owner leases his vineyard to some husbandmen, or tenants, who proceed to mistreat and kill the owner's servants and eventually his son.

Jesus concludes the parable by saying the owner will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others.

When the listeners hear this conclusion, they respond with "God forbid," recognizing the severity of the judgment being implied.

At the literal level, the verse recites the end of a story Jesus is telling.

On a deeper level, the vineyard represents Israel, the tenants are the Jewish leaders, and the owner’s son represents Jesus.

The destruction of the tenants and giving of the vineyard to others signifies the rejection of the Jewish leaders who were unfaithful stewards of God’s revelation and the eventual expansion of God’s salvation through Jesus to the Gentiles.

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Historical Context

The Gospel of Luke is believed to have been written around AD 80-110.

During this period, the early Christian communities were mostly made up of Jews and Gentiles.

The Jewish leaders at the time of Jesus rejected Jesus' message and his claim of being the Son of God.

As a result, Christian understanding later interpreted the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and the scattering of the Jewish people as a fulfillment of this parable's prophecy.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological standpoint, the vineyard is symbolic of the trust and responsibility that God places in people. The destruction of the tenants can be seen as emblematic of divine judgment on those who are unfaithful to this trust.

Some theologians perceive this story as foreshadowing the rejection of Jesus by the Jewish authorities, which led to His crucifixion, and the later spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Others view it as a cautionary tale about the misuse of religious authority and the potential consequences.

Practical Applications

In a modern context, the verse can be an admonishment for people to be faithful stewards of whatever responsibilities they are given.

It also serves as a warning against the abuse of power and neglect of one’s duties, especially within a spiritual or religious framework.

It encourages self-reflection on how individuals and communities respond to messages of truth and stewardship.

Cross-References

Matthew 21:41 (KJV): "They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons."
Isaiah 5:1-7 (KJV): Known as the Song of the Vineyard, this passage has similar themes in which the vineyard represents the house of Israel and God expected justice but instead saw bloodshed.

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the term for "husbandmen" or "tenants" is "γεωργοί" (geōrgoi), referring to those who work the land.

The word "destroy" comes from "ἀπολέσει" (apolesei), indicating a complete ruin or loss.

"Vineyard" translates to "ἀμπελών" (ampelōn), a common symbol in the Bible for a place of nurture and growth.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparable themes exist in other cultures and religions where caretakers of a sacred trust, who fail in their duties, are judged harshly.

Ancient myths sometimes depict gods punishing mortals for failing to honor agreements or abusing their position, which reflects a universal principle of justice and divine retribution.

Scientific Perspectives

Science generally does not directly deal with the interpretations of scriptural verses.

However, in the broader sense of understanding human behavior, psychological studies on the abuse of power and the consequences thereof may bring light to the natural tendencies and risks associated with positions of responsibility.

Commentaries

Various Bible commentaries interpret Luke 20:16 in the context of the broader parable.

Many acknowledge the parable's role in foretelling the rejection of Jesus by the Jewish leaders and the passing of God's kingdom to others (meaning the church, primarily Gentile).

Some commentators highlight the forbearance of the vineyard owner, reflecting God’s patience, while others note the justice exhibited in the ultimate judgment.

Luke 20

Luke 20

What does Luke 20:16 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 20:16 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?