Luke 20:1-16 ▼

1 And it came to pass, on one of the days, as He was teaching the people in the temple, and proclaiming the Gospel, that there came upon Him the high priests and the scribes with the elders,

2 and spake, saying to Him, "Tell us by what authority Thou art doing these things, or who gave Thee this authority?"

3 And, answering, He said to them, "I, too, will ask you a question; and tell Me:

4 The immersion of John, was it from Heaven, or of men?"

5 And they reasoned together with themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From Heaven,' He will say, 'Why did ye not believe him?'

6 and if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us; for they are persuaded that John was a prophet."

7 And they answered that they knew not whence it was ;

8 and Jesus said to them, "Neither do I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."

9 And He began to speak to the people this parable: "A man planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen, and went abroad for a long time.

10 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.

11 "And he seat still another servant: and him also, having beaten and dishonored, they sent away empty.

12 "And he sent still a third; and they, having wounded this one, cast him out.

13 "And the lord of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my son, the beloved; perhaps they will reverence him.'

14 "But, seeing him, the husbandmen were reasoning one with another, saying, 'This is the heir; let us kill him, that the inheritance may become ours.'

15 And, having thrust him forth out of the vineyard, they slew him . What, therefore, will the lord of the vineyard do to them?

16 He will come and destroy these husbandmen, and give the vineyard to others." And, having heard it , they said, "May it not be!"