Luke 20:10
New International Version
At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed.

New Living Translation
At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop. But the farmers attacked the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty-handed.

English Standard Version
When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed.

Berean Standard Bible
At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed.

Berean Literal Bible
And in the season, he sent a servant to the farmers, that they will give to him from the fruit of the vineyard. But the farmers sent him away empty-handed, having beaten him.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that they might give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the vinedressers beat him and sent him away empty-handed.

New American Standard Bible
At the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, so that they would give him his share of the produce of the vineyard; but the vine-growers beat him and sent him away empty-handed.

NASB 1995
“At the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, so that they would give him some of the produce of the vineyard; but the vine-growers beat him and sent him away empty-handed.

NASB 1977
“And at the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, in order that they might give him some of the produce of the vineyard; but the vine-growers beat him and sent him away empty-handed.

Legacy Standard Bible
And at the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the vine-growers sent him away empty-handed having beaten him.

Amplified Bible
At harvest time he sent a servant [as his representative] to the tenants, so that they would give him his share of the fruit of the vineyard; but the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed.

Christian Standard Bible
At harvest time he sent a servant to the farmers so that they might give him some fruit from the vineyard. But the farmers beat him and sent him away empty-handed.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
At harvest time he sent a slave to the farmers so that they might give him some fruit from the vineyard. But the farmers beat him and sent him away empty-handed.

American Standard Version
And at the season he sent unto the husbandmen a servant, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.

Contemporary English Version
When it was time to harvest the crop, he sent a servant to ask the renters for his share of the grapes. But they beat up the servant and sent him away without anything.

English Revised Version
And at the season he sent unto the husbandmen a servant, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"At the right time he sent a servant to the workers to obtain from them a share of the grapes from the vineyard. But the workers beat the servant and sent him back with nothing.

Good News Translation
When the time came to gather the grapes, he sent a slave to the tenants to receive from them his share of the harvest. But the tenants beat the slave and sent him back without a thing.

International Standard Version
At the right time he sent a servant to the farmers in order to get his share of the produce of the vineyard. But the farmers beat him and sent him back empty-handed.

Majority Standard Bible
At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed.

NET Bible
When harvest time came, he sent a slave to the tenants so that they would give him his portion of the crop. However, the tenants beat his slave and sent him away empty-handed.

New Heart English Bible
At the proper season, he sent a servant to the farmers to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the farmers beat him, and sent him away empty.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
At vintage-time he sent a servant to the vine-dressers, for them to give him a share of the crop; but the vine-dressers beat him cruelly and sent him away empty-handed.

World English Bible
At the proper season, he sent a servant to the farmers to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the farmers beat him and sent him away empty.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and at the season he sent a servant to the farmers, that they may give to him from the fruit of the vineyard, but the farmers having beat him, sent [him] away empty.

Berean Literal Bible
And in the season, he sent a servant to the farmers, that they will give to him from the fruit of the vineyard. But the farmers sent him away empty-handed, having beaten him.

Young's Literal Translation
and at the season he sent unto the husbandmen a servant, that from the fruit of the vineyard they may give to him, but the husbandmen having beat him, did send him away empty.

Smith's Literal Translation
And in time he sent a servant to the farmers, that they give him from the fruit of the vineyard: and the farmers, skinning, sent him out empty.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard. Who, beating him, sent him away empty.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And in due time, he sent a servant to the farmers, so that they would give to him from the fruit of the vineyard. And they beat him and drove him away, empty-handed.

New American Bible
At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenant farmers to receive some of the produce of the vineyard. But they beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed.

New Revised Standard Version
When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants in order that they might give him his share of the produce of the vineyard; but the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And at the season he sent his servant to the laborers to give him of the fruit of the vineyard; but the laborers beat him and sent him back empty.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And at the season he sent his servant to the workers to give him some of the fruits of the vineyard, but the workers beat him and they sent him away stripped.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And at the proper sea son, he sent a servant to those vine-dressers, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard. But the vine-dressers scourged him, and sent him away empty-handed.

Godbey New Testament
And in season he sent a servant to the husbandmen that they might give to him of the fruit of the vineyard, and the husbandmen beating him, sent him away empty.

Haweis New Testament
And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that they might give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat, and sent him away empty.

Mace New Testament
at vintage, he sent a servant to the husbandmen, to demand the profits of the vineyard, but they beat him and sent him away empty.

Weymouth New Testament
At vintage-time he sent a servant to the vine-dressers, for them to give him a share of the crop; but the vine-dressers beat him cruelly and sent him away empty-handed.

Worrell New Testament
And, at the season, he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard; but the husbandmen, beating him, sent him away empty.

Worsley New Testament
and at the fruit-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.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
9Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time. 10 At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed. 11So he sent another servant, but they beat him and treated him shamefully, sending him away empty-handed.…

Cross References
Matthew 21:34
When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit.

Mark 12:2
At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard.

Isaiah 5:1-7
I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. ...

Jeremiah 7:25-26
From the day your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent you all My servants the prophets again and again. / Yet they would not listen to Me or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and did more evil than their fathers.

2 Chronicles 36:15-16
Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. / But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.

Nehemiah 9:26
But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies.

Hosea 6:5
Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgments go forth like lightning.

Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.

Zechariah 1:4-6
Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Turn now from your evil ways and deeds.’ But they did not listen or pay attention to Me, declares the LORD. / Where are your fathers now? And the prophets, do they live forever? / But did not My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, overtake your fathers? They repented and said, ‘Just as the LORD of Hosts purposed to do to us according to our ways and deeds, so He has done to us.’”

Matthew 23:34-37
Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town. / And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. / Truly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation. ...

Acts 7:52
Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—

Hebrews 11:36-38
Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. / They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated. / The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground.

1 Samuel 8:7
And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king.

2 Kings 17:13-14
Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.” / But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God.

Jeremiah 25:4
And the LORD has sent all His servants the prophets to you again and again, but you have not listened or inclined your ear to hear.


Treasury of Scripture

And at the season he sent a servant to the farmers, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the farmers beat him, and sent him away empty.

the season.

Psalm 1:3
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Jeremiah 5:24
Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.

Matthew 21:34-36
And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it…

sent.

Judges 6:8-10
That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; …

2 Kings 17:13
Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.

2 Chronicles 36:15,16
And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: …

beat.

Luke 11:47-50
Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them…

Luke 13:34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

1 Kings 22:24
But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?

Jump to Previous
Beat Beaten Blows Bondman Collect Crop Cruelly Empty Empty-Handed Farmers Fruit Harvest Husbandmen Part Produce Proper Right Season Servant Share Slave Time Vine-Dressers Vine-Growers Vines Vineyard Vintage-Time Workers Workmen
Jump to Next
Beat Beaten Blows Bondman Collect Crop Cruelly Empty Empty-Handed Farmers Fruit Harvest Husbandmen Part Produce Proper Right Season Servant Share Slave Time Vine-Dressers Vine-Growers Vines Vineyard Vintage-Time Workers Workmen
Luke 20
1. Jesus confirms his authority by a question of John's baptism.
9. The parable of the vineyard.
19. Of giving tribute to Caesar.
27. He instructs the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection.
41. How Jesus is the Son of David.
45. He warns his disciples to beware of the scribes.














At harvest time
This phrase sets the stage for the parable of the wicked tenants, indicating a time of expected fruitfulness and reward. In the agricultural society of ancient Israel, the harvest was a significant event, symbolizing the culmination of hard work and the provision of sustenance. Spiritually, "harvest time" often represents a period of divine judgment or fulfillment of God's promises. The Greek word used here, "καιρός" (kairos), implies an appointed time, suggesting God's sovereign timing in His dealings with humanity.

he sent a servant
The "he" refers to the owner of the vineyard, symbolizing God. The "servant" represents the prophets sent by God to Israel throughout history. The Greek word for servant, "δοῦλος" (doulos), implies one who is under authority, emphasizing the role of prophets as messengers of God's will. This reflects the historical context of Israel's repeated rejection of God's messengers, as seen throughout the Old Testament.

to the tenants
The "tenants" symbolize the leaders of Israel, particularly the religious authorities responsible for guiding the people in faithfulness to God. The Greek term "γεωργοῖς" (georgois) refers to those who work the land, indicating their responsibility to cultivate and produce fruit. This highlights the expectation that Israel's leaders should have been faithful stewards of God's vineyard, nurturing spiritual growth and obedience among the people.

to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard
This phrase underscores the owner's rightful expectation of receiving the fruits of his investment. The "fruit" symbolizes the spiritual fruits of righteousness and justice that God expected from Israel. The Greek word "καρπός" (karpos) is often used metaphorically in Scripture to denote the results of one's actions or character. This expectation aligns with the biblical theme of accountability, where God seeks the fruits of faithfulness and obedience from His people.

But the tenants beat him
This violent reaction of the tenants represents Israel's historical mistreatment and rejection of the prophets. The Greek word "ἔδειραν" (edeiran) means to strike or beat, indicating a severe and hostile response. This reflects the tragic pattern of Israel's leaders resisting God's call to repentance and righteousness, as documented in the prophetic books of the Old Testament.

and sent him away empty-handed
The phrase "empty-handed" signifies the tenants' complete refusal to acknowledge the owner's rights or to fulfill their obligations. The Greek term "κενός" (kenos) means empty or void, symbolizing the spiritual barrenness and rebellion of the tenants. This act of sending the servant away without any fruit highlights the broader theme of Israel's failure to produce the spiritual fruits that God desired, despite His patient and persistent outreach through the prophets.

(10) Beat him, and sent him away empty.--The description agrees almost verbally with St. Mark.

Verses 10-12. - He sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard. After the pains and care bestowed upon the vineyard, that is, after the many mighty works done in Israel's behalf, the Lord of hosts looked for fruits of gratitude and fidelity in some proportion to the mighty favours which it had received from him. The people were intended to be the example to, and the educators of, the world, and, instead of carrying out these high functions, they lived the poor selfish life so sadly depicted in the long story contained in the historical and prophetical books. "He looked that it [his vineyard] should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes" (Isaiah 5:2). But the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out. These represent the prophets, those faithful servants of the Lord, whose toils and trials and fate are painted in the Epistle to the Hebrews (11.) in such glowing and eloquent language. And again he sent. In vers. 11 and 12, προσέθεο πέμψαι, literally, "he added to send another" - a Hebraism. This shows St. Luke here based his account on a Hebrew (Aramaic) original. Professor Bruce well puts the thoughts which possessed the wicked husbandmen thus: "When the servants came for fruit, they were simply surprised. 'Fruit! did you say? We have occupied the position of vine-dressers, and have duly drawn our wages: what more do you want?' Such was the actual fact in regard to the spiritual heads of Israel. They were men who never thought of fruit, but only of the honour and privilege of being entrusted with the keeping of the vineyard. They were triflers, men utterly devoid of earnestness, and the practical purpose of the property committed to their charge they habitually forgot. Generally speaking, they had utterly lost sight of the end of Israel's calling." Their anger flamed forth when accredited messengers of the Lord visited them and reminded them of their forgotten duties; they vented their furious wrath by persecuting some and killing others of these faithful men.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
At harvest time,
καιρῷ (kairō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2540: Fitting season, season, opportunity, occasion, time. Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. Set or proper time.

he sent
ἀπέστειλεν (apesteilen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 649: From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively.

a servant
δοῦλον (doulon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1401: (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

tenants
γεωργοὺς (geōrgous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1092: From ge and the base of ergon; a land-worker, i.e. Farmer.

to
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

collect
δώσουσιν (dōsousin)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

[his share]
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

fruit
καρποῦ (karpou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2590: Probably from the base of harpazo; fruit, literally or figuratively.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

vineyard.
ἀμπελῶνος (ampelōnos)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 290: A vineyard. From ampelos; a vineyard.

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

tenants
γεωργοὶ (geōrgoi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1092: From ge and the base of ergon; a land-worker, i.e. Farmer.

beat [the servant]
δείραντες (deirantes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1194: To flay, flog, scourge, beat. A primary verb; properly, to flay, i.e. to scourge, or to thrash.

[and] sent him away
ἐξαπέστειλαν (exapesteilan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1821: From ek and apostello; to send away forth, i.e. to despatch, or to dismiss.

empty-handed.
κενόν (kenon)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2756: Apparently a primary word; empty.


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NT Gospels: Luke 20:10 At the proper season he sent (Luke Lu Lk)
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