The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

(Matthew 21:33–46, Luke 20:9–18)

Then [Jesus] began to speak to them in parables:“A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall {around it}, dug a wine vat, and built a watchtower. Then he rented it out to [some] tenants and went away on a journey.

2 

At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect [his share] of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 But they seized [the servant], beat [him], and sent [him] away empty-handed.

4 

Then he sent them another servant, and casting stones[fn] they struck {him} over the head and sent [him] away,[fn] treating [him] shamefully.

5 

He sent still another, and this one they killed.

[He sent] many others; some they beat and [others] they killed.

6 

vvv Finally, having his[fn] one beloved son, he sent him to them last.[fn]‘They will respect my son,’ he said

7 

But [the] tenants said[fn] to one another‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 So they seized [the son], killed him, and threw [him] out of the vineyard.

9 

What then[fn] {will} the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill [those] tenants, and will give the vineyard to others. 10 vvv Have you never read this Scripture:

‘[The] stone the builders rejected

has become the vvv cornerstone.

11 

This is from [the] Lord,

and it is marvelous in our eyes’[fn]?”

12 

At this, [the leaders] sought[fn] to arrest [Jesus], for they knew that He had spoken [this] parable against them. But fearing the crowd, they left Him [and] went away.

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