Keraia
Mark 12

Mark 12:7

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants · Mark 12:1–12
Read Mark 12

Translations

Modern
But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
Traditional
But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.
Literal
But those farmers said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
Latin
Coloni autem dixerunt ad invicem: Hic est hæres: venite, occidamus eum: et nostra erit hæreditas.

Interlinear

Greek
English
But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’

Notes

Mark 12:7

The reasoning of the tenants is unclear to us, although it was apparently clear to the original hearers, requiring no further explanation (compare Matthew 21:38; Luke 20:14). Perhaps when the son arrived, the tenants thought the father had died. They may have believed that if they killed the son, no rightful owner would remain. Then the vineyard might become theirs, since they had worked it for many years.

Mark 12:1–12

  • The events from 11:27–12:44 happen in the temple (see 11:27; 13:1). This story, or parable, is closely connected to the earlier question about the authority of Jesus (11:27–33). Mark introduces it with the words, "Then Jesus began to speak to them." The parable is the extended answer Jesus gives to the religious leaders.

  • Jesus wanted his audience to understand this parable in the context of Isaiah 5:1–7. This tells a similar story about planting a vineyard, building a lookout tower, putting up a fence, and digging a pit for a wine vat. Both stories also ask a similar question about what the owner will do next (Mark 12:9; compare Isaiah 5:4). In Isaiah, the vineyard clearly represents the people of Israel (Isaiah 5:7). In the same way, people hearing the parable would understand it as a story about Israel.

    Several parts of the parable have symbolic meaning:

    • The tenants represent Israel’s leaders.

    • The owner represents God.

    • The servants represent the Old Testament prophets.

    • The beloved son represents Jesus, the Son of God.

    • The murder of the son points to the crucifixion of Jesus.

    • The vineyard being given to others points to the judgment that would come upon Israel (Mark 11:15–17; 13:1–37).

    Mark's audience would understand this explanation more clearly than the original audience hearing the words of Jesus. Even so, the religious leaders understood enough to realize that Jesus was speaking against them, and they began looking for a way to kill him (12:12).

Theme notes and profiles

The Son of God

Events

Parallels

Matthew 21:33–46 Luke 20:9–18

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Crucifixion Gospel Heir Inheritance Mark, Gospel of Vines, Vineyard

Topics

Capital and Labor: Strife Between Church: Backslidden Church: Corruption In God: Longsuffering of Husbandman: An Agriculturist Jesus, the Christ: Parable of The Evil Sharecroppers Jesus, the Christ: Rejected Jesus, the Christ: The Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen (In Jerusalem) Lease of Real Estate Malfeasance in office: The Leasees of the Vineyard, in One of the Parables of Jesus Rebellion Against God: Ministers: Sent to Those Guilty of Reproof: Faithfulness In of the Vineyard Self-Condemnation: General Scriptures Concerning Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful in the Parable of the Vineyard Unfaithfulness: General Scriptures Concerning