Luke 20:1-12 ▼

1 On one of those days while He was teaching the people in the Temple and proclaiming the Good News, the High Priests came upon Him, and the Scribes,

2 together with the Elders, and they asked Him, "Tell us, By what authority are you doing these things? And who is it that gave you this authority?"

3 "I also will put a question to you, "He said;

4 "was John's baptism of Heavenly or of human origin?"

5 So they debated the matter with one another. "If we say 'Heavenly,'" they argued, "he will say, 'Why did you not believe him?'

6 And if we say, 'human,' the people will all stone us; for they are thoroughly convinced that John was a Prophet."

7 And they answered that they did not know the origin of it.

8 "Nor will I tell you," said Jesus, "by what authority I do these things."

9 Then He proceeded to speak a parable to the people. "There was a man," He said, "who planted a vineyard, let it out to vine-dressers, and went abroad for a considerable time.

10 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.

11 Then he sent a second servant; and him too they beat and ill treated and sent away empty-handed.

12 Then again he sent a third; and this one also they wounded and drove away.