Luke 20:15 - They threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do to them?

Generated Verse: Luke 20:15

What does "Luke 20:15" mean?


This verse is part of a parable told by Jesus in Luke 20:9-19. To understand its meaning, we need to look at the parable as a whole.

Here's a breakdown:

The Vineyard: Represents Israel or the kingdom of God.
The Landowner: Represents God.
The Tenants: Represent the religious leaders of Israel (specifically, those who rejected God's prophets and ultimately, Jesus himself).
The Servants: Represent the prophets sent by God to the Israelites.
The Beloved Son: Represents Jesus Christ.

The parable unfolds as follows:

1. A landowner plants a vineyard and leases it to tenants.
2. At harvest time, he sends servants to collect his share of the crop, but the tenants beat them and send them away empty-handed.
3. The landowner sends more servants, but they are treated even worse – wounded or killed.
4. Finally, the landowner sends his beloved son, thinking they will respect him.
5. The tenants, however, see an opportunity. They reason that if they kill the son, they can seize the inheritance (the vineyard) for themselves.
6. They throw him out of the vineyard and kill him. (Luke 20:15)
7. Jesus then poses the question: "What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do to them?" (Luke 20:15)

Meaning of Luke 20:15:

This verse highlights the ultimate act of rebellion and rejection by the tenants (religious leaders). By killing the landowner's son (Jesus), they demonstrate their utter disregard for his authority and their desire to usurp his power. It signifies the impending death of Jesus at the hands of those who should have welcomed and recognized him as the Messiah.

Jesus's Question and its Significance:

The question "What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do to them?" is a rhetorical one. Jesus is leading his audience (and us) to consider the consequences of such heinous behavior. The implication is that the landowner (God) will bring justice upon the wicked tenants.

Following verses (Luke 20:16-18) provide the answer and further explanation:

Luke 20:16: "He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others." This implies judgment on the current leadership and the opening of salvation to others (including Gentiles).
Luke 20:17: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." This quotes Psalm 118:22 and points to Jesus as the rejected Messiah who will ultimately be the foundation of God's new covenant.
Luke 20:18: "Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will crush him." This warns of the consequences of rejecting Jesus – destruction and judgment.

In summary, Luke 20:15 is a pivotal verse in the parable, depicting the culmination of the tenants' wickedness and foreshadowing the death of Jesus. It sets the stage for Jesus to ask a question that reveals the inevitable judgment upon those who reject God's authority and his Son.

What categories does "Luke 20:15" have?