FocusRejecting the owner's claim
Connection to the wholeThe parable answers the preceding authority dispute by describing rejection of messengers and the beloved son.
interpretation Mark 12:1
KJVAnd he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
Read it in context
The wicked tenants
Start reading at Mark 12:1 (Mark 12:1 to Mark 12:12).
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 parable answers the preceding authority dispute by describing rejection of messengers and the beloved son.
- 12:1 And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
- 12:2 And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
- 12:3 And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.
- 12:4 And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.
- 12:5 And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.
- 12:6 Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.
- 12:7 But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be our's.
- 12:8 And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
- 12:9 What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.
- 12:10 And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:
- 12:11 This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
- 12:12 And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Mark, traditionally identified as John Mark and associated with Peter's preaching, is the author named by early church testimony. Biblical references: Acts 12:12; 1 Peter 5:13. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Mark, Gospel of. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Mark 12:1–12:44): Jesus answers religious leaders, including Pharisees, Herodians, Sadducees, and a scribe; He teaches the crowd and draws His disciples' attention to a widow's offering. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Readers who needed explanations of Jewish customs and Aramaic words, indicating a substantial Gentile audience. An association with Rome is early tradition, not an explicit address in the Gospel. Biblical references: Mark 5:41; Mark 7:3; Mark 7:4. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Mark, Gospel of. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The wicked tenants. Read Mark 12:1 through Mark 12:12 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The parable answers the preceding authority dispute by describing rejection of messengers and the beloved son. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The account begins with John the Baptist and follows Jesus' public ministry through His death and resurrection. It does not give a composition date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Galilee, surrounding regions, the journey toward Jerusalem, and Jerusalem form the main narrative movement. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The wicked tenants (Mark 12:1 to Mark 12:12). Start reading at Mark 12:1. 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? Mark explicitly presents the gospel of Jesus Christ and connects His service with giving His life a ransom for many. His identity and the call to follow Him shape the narrative. See Mark 1:1, Mark 8:34, Mark 10:45. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Follow Jesus with obedient service rather than status-seeking. Read predictions of suffering and calls to discipleship alongside accounts of power and deliverance. interpretation
Cited: Mark 12:1, Mark 12:12, Mark 1:1, Mark 8:34, Mark 10:45
Who wrote it, and how we know
John Mark, recording Peter's preaching (traditional)
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author.
Early traditionPapias, quoting an earlier elder, records that Mark wrote down Peter's preaching accurately.
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 (current passage)
- New Testament: Luke 20:9–19
- 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
- he began Mark 4:2,11-13,33-34 Ezek 20:49 Matt 13:10-15,34-35 Matt 21:28-33 Matt 22:1-14 Luke 8:10 Luke 22:9
- A certain Matt 21:33-40 Luke 20:9-15
- planted Ps 80:8-16 Isa 5:1-4 Jer 2:21 Luke 13:6-9 John 15:1-8 Rom 11:17-24
- and set Neh 9:13-14 Ps 78:68-69 Ps 147:19-20 Ezek 20:11-12,18-20 Acts 7:38,46-47 Rom 3:1-2 Rom 9:4-5
- and let Song 8:11-12 Isa 7:23
- and went Mark 13:34 Matt 25:14 Luke 15:13 Luke 19:12
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Mark 12
This Gospel identifies its subject as Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and follows His ministry toward the cross and resurrection. No particular original recipient is named in its opening.
Tribute and resurrection
Mark 12:13–27FocusQuestions that miss God's power
Connection to the wholeJesus answers attempts to trap Him and corrects a denial of resurrection by directing attention to Scripture and God's power.
interpretation The chief command and David's Lord
Mark 12:28–37FocusGod's oneness and the Christ
Connection to the wholeJesus affirms God's oneness and the commands to love, then raises the question of how David calls the Christ his Lord.
interpretation Scribes and the widow
Mark 12:38–44FocusAppearance and costly devotion
Connection to the wholeThe warning about devouring widows' houses is followed by the poor widow's offering, placing public prestige beside costly giving.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Mark
This Gospel identifies its subject as Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and follows His ministry toward the cross and resurrection. No particular original recipient is named in its opening.
The ministry prepared
Mark 1:1–13FocusJohn, baptism, and temptation
Connection to the wholeThe brief opening introduces Jesus and His forerunner, moving rapidly toward the proclamation of the kingdom.
interpretation Authority and opposition
Mark 1:14–3:6FocusTeaching, deliverance, and conflict
Connection to the wholeJesus' works and teaching draw followers while controversies bring the first explicit plot against Him.
interpretation The expanding ministry
Mark 3:7–8:26FocusDisciples, crowds, and understanding
Connection to the wholeTeaching, mighty works, and varied responses repeatedly expose both Jesus' authority and the disciples' difficulty understanding.
interpretation The way to Jerusalem
Mark 8:27–10:52FocusThe Messiah's suffering and following
Connection to the wholePeter's confession is followed by repeated passion predictions and teaching that redefines greatness and discipleship through service.
interpretation FocusTemple conflict and watchfulness
Connection to the wholeJesus' actions and disputes in Jerusalem lead into His teaching about coming troubles and the command to watch.
interpretation Passion and resurrection
Mark 14:1–16:20FocusDeath, the empty tomb, and proclamation
Connection to the wholeBetrayal, trial, and crucifixion lead to the resurrection proclamation and commission recorded in the KJV's final chapter.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.