FocusRejecting God's messengers
Connection to the wholeThe leaders' challenge and the tenants' parable expose resistance to God's claim and to the one He has sent.
interpretation Luke 20:16
KJVHe shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
Read it in context
Authority and the vineyard
Start reading at Luke 20:1 (Luke 20:1 to Luke 20:19).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The leaders' challenge and the tenants' parable expose resistance to God's claim and to the one He has sent.
- 20:1 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,
- 20:2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?
- 20:3 And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:
- 20:4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
- 20:5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
- 20:6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.
- 20:7 And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.
- 20:8 And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
- 20:9 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.
- 20:10 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.
- 20:11 And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
- 20:12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.
- 20:13 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.
- 20:14 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.
- 20:15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
- 20:16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
- 20:17 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?
- 20:18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
- 20:19 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.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the author identified by early church tradition for both Luke and Acts. Biblical references: Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Luke 20:1–20:47): Chief priests, scribes, elders, spies, and Sadducees question Jesus. He answers publicly and warns His disciples in the hearing of all the people. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus is the named recipient, already instructed in the matters Luke recounts. Wider readers also benefit, but identifying Theophilus as a particular official or assigning him a precise biography goes beyond the available evidence. Biblical references: Luke 1:3; Luke 1:4. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Authority and the vineyard. Read Luke 20:1 through Luke 20:19 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The leaders' challenge and the tenants' parable expose resistance to God's claim and to the one He has sent. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The account connects events with named rulers and begins before Jesus' birth, continuing through His resurrection and ascension. Those narrative dates do not themselves date composition. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative ranges through Judea and Galilee and gives sustained attention to the journey toward Jerusalem. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Authority and the vineyard (Luke 20:1 to Luke 20:19). Start reading at Luke 20:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Luke presents Jesus as the Saviour and records His explanation that the Scriptures concern His suffering and glory. Keep this broad claim alongside the particular passages He and the narrator actually connect. See Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Attend to repentance, mercy, prayer, and faithful response. Identify who is being addressed in a parable or rebuke before applying it to someone else. interpretation
Cited: Luke 20:1, Luke 20:19, Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke, the physician and companion of Paul
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe author writes in the first person to Theophilus and describes carefully investigating eyewitness accounts, but does not give his name.
Luke 1:1Luke 1:3
Early traditionEarly testimony, including Irenaeus and the Muratorian fragment, names Luke, the physician and companion of Paul.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment
The notes distinguish explicit fulfillment statements from other explicit New Testament applications. They do not assume every detail of the surrounding prophecy has already been fulfilled.
The rejected stone
NT explicitly applies this passage
- Old Testament: Psalms 118:22–23
- New Testament: Matthew 21:33–46
- New Testament: Mark 12:1–12
- New Testament: Luke 20:9–19 (current passage)
- New Testament: Acts 4:8–12
- New Testament: 1 Peter 2:4–8
Jesus cites the rejected stone in the vineyard discourse. Acts and 1 Peter apply the stone to Jesus and explain the response to Him. This is an explicit NT application, not an isolated prediction reconstructed without its context.
Related passages
- destroy Luke 19:27 Ps 2:8-9 Ps 21:8-10 Matt 21:41 Matt 22:7 Acts 13:46
- shall give Neh 9:36-37
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Luke 20
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
The tribute question
Luke 20:20–26FocusA trap answered
Connection to the wholeJesus' answer refuses the attempted political trap and calls for the obligations owed to both Caesar and God.
interpretation The resurrection question
Luke 20:27–40FocusThe living God's power
Connection to the wholeJesus corrects assumptions about resurrection life and appeals to Scripture against the denial of resurrection.
interpretation David's Lord and the scribes
Luke 20:41–47FocusIdentity and false prestige
Connection to the wholeJesus raises the question of the Christ's identity and warns the disciples against leaders whose appearance conceals exploitation.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Luke
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
The births and early years
Luke 1:1–2:52FocusPromise, praise, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe birth announcements and childhood accounts locate Jesus' coming within God's promises and the expectations expressed by faithful witnesses.
interpretation The ministry prepared
Luke 3:1–4:13FocusJohn, baptism, and temptation
Connection to the wholeJohn's call to repentance, Jesus' baptism, the genealogy, and the temptation prepare the public ministry.
interpretation Ministry and discipleship
Luke 4:14–9:50FocusAuthority, mercy, and recognition
Connection to the wholeTeaching and mighty works reveal Jesus' identity while He forms disciples and begins to explain His coming suffering.
interpretation The journey toward Jerusalem
Luke 9:51–19:27FocusFollowing Jesus on the way
Connection to the wholeThe extended journey gathers teaching about repentance, prayer, possessions, mercy, and readiness as Jesus approaches His death.
interpretation FocusVisitation, conflict, and watchfulness
Connection to the wholeThe entry and temple ministry bring confrontation and teaching about Jerusalem's distress and the need to watch.
interpretation Passion, resurrection, and commission
Luke 22:1–24:53FocusScripture fulfilled and witness prepared
Connection to the wholeJesus' death and resurrection are interpreted through Scripture, leading to the proclamation of repentance and remission of sins and the promise of power.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.