A Parable of Wicked Tenants

["Click here for Matthew's account"]
["Click here for Mark's account"]
["Click here for Luke's account"]

This is the second parable that Jesus spoke at this time on the unfaithfulness of Israel. A man planted a vineyard. He then turned it over to tenants to care for it. When it came time for the harvest, he sent servants to get his fruit. When the servants arrived, the tenants killed them so the owner sent more servants, and the tenants did the same to them. Then he sent his son, surly they would respect his son, but they did not. They took the son and killed him also. Now notice the question that Jesus asks. "When the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do with these tenants?"

Lets put the names of those who are symbolized in this parable.

  1. The householder is God.
  2. The tenants were Israel.
  3. The servants sent by the householder were the Prophets.
  4. The Son, was Jesus.

God, for two thousand years, sent prophets to Israel to redeem the investment that He had in them only to have them kill the messenger. Then He sent His only Son, surly they would receive Him, but they killed Him also. Therefore, Jesus said, the Kingdom of God will be taken from Israel and given to people that will produce fruits. This was a warning to the Chief Priest and Pharisees and apparently they knew what He was talking about.

So what did they do? Did this clear and easily understoodable parable bring repentance and a desire on the part of the Pharisees to try to escape the wrath of God for having killed Him servants and produced no fruit? No. Instead, they wanted to kill Him. It is an established fact that those who come under the conviction of the Holy Spirit either repents or seeks revenge.

The Word of God will fall on the hearts of men one of three ways:

  1. It will fall unnoticed on some.
  2. It will fall condemningly and knowingly on others, bringing pangs of conscience but no evidence of repentance.
  3. It will fall condemningly and knowingly on others who will repent and show evidence of a changed heart.

I believe that these Jews were feeling the pangs of a guilty conscience and instead of bringing repentance it brought animosity and hate and they sought to kill the messenger. They certainly would have done this had it not been for the Romans and the fear they had of the multitudes that followed Him, for they, the multitudes, believed He was a Prophet.


Previous Chapter
Return to Outline
Ask Questions
Next Chapter