The Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Luke 20:9-19)
Introduction
Parables aren’t just stories; they’re confrontations. Jesus doesn’t tell them to entertain—he tells them to make a point, often one that people don’t want to hear. And in Luke 20:9-19, Jesus delivers one of his most pointed parables yet. The Parable of the Wicked Tenants isn’t just a moral lesson; it’s a direct indictment of Israel’s religious leaders who are right in front of him.
The timing is crucial. Jesus has just cleansed the temple (Luke 19:45-46), his authority has been questioned (Luke 20:1-8), and now, he tells this parable in front of the very people he’s calling out. And they know it. They don’t miss the message—this parable is about them.
So what’s happening here? And why does this story matter not just for them, but for us today?
Verse by Verse Breakdown of Luke 20:9-19 and Commentary
Luke 20:9 – Setting the Scene
“He began to tell the people this parable: ‘A man planted a vineyard, and leased it to tenants, and went to another country for a long time.’” (Luke 20:9, NRSV)
Jesus starts with a familiar image—a vineyard. This isn’t just a random setting; vineyards were often used as symbols for Israel (see Isaiah 5:1-7). The owner represents God, and the tenants are Israel’s leaders, entrusted with spiritual responsibility over God’s people.
The detail about the owner leaving “for a long time” is significant. God has given Israel stewardship, but there’s an expectation of faithfulness. The question is—will they be faithful?
No less than three times in this gospel does the theme of stewardship and faithfulness appear. Jesus frequently uses parables to illustrate the responsibility God’s people have over what has been entruste to them. Here are a few:
In Luke 12:35-38, Jesus tells a parable about servants waiting for their master to return. Some are faithful, but others abuse their authority, assuming the master’s delay means they can do as they please. The point? God’s people must remain vigilant and faithful, even when it seems like there is a long delay.
Similarly, in Luke 19:11-27, through the Parables of the Ten Minas, Jesus emphasizes stewardship. A nobleman entrusts his servants with money while he was away. Some invest it and some squandar the opportunity. When the master returns, he holds them accountable.
Luke 20:10-12 – The Servants Are Rejected
“When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants in order that they might give him his share of the produce; but the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Next he sent another slave; that one also they beat and insulted and sent away empty-handed. And he sent still a third; this one also they wounded and threw out.” (Luke 20:10-12, NRSV)
This isn’t just mistreatment—it’s rebellion. The servants symbolize the prophets, sent by God to call Israel back to faithfulness. Over and over, Israel rejected them. Think of Jeremiah, beaten and thrown into a cistern (Jeremiah 38:6), or Elijah, hunted by Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 19:2).
Jesus is making history plain: Israel’s leaders have a track record of rejecting God’s messengers. Will it continue?
The imagery here is striking. The vineyard owner (God) doesn’t just send one servant but sends three. This escalating pattern of rejection and violence mirrors Israel’s treatment of the prophets throughout its history.
The first servant is beaten and sent away empty-handed, symbolizing the initial resistance to God’s call. The second is beaten and insulted, showing an increase in hostility. By the third, the tenants wound him and throw him out, revealing a full-blown rebellion. There’s a deliberate intensification here—each rejection grows more severe.
This pattern echoes the Old Testament. Jeremiah was not only ignored but thrown into a cistern and left to die (Jeremiah 38:6). Elijah had to flee for his life as Queen Jezebel sought to kill him (1 Kings 19:2). Zechariah son of Jehoiada was stoned to death in the very temple courts (2 Chronicles 24:20-21). God had sent prophet after prophet to His people, but instead of heeding their words, Israel’s leaders silenced them.
Jesus isn’t just giving a history lesson—he’s calling out the religious leaders standing before him. They are part of this same legacy of rejection. And the parable is about to reach its climax: if they treated the servants this way, how will they respond to the son?
Luke 20:13-15a – The Son is Sent and Killed
“Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ But when the tenants saw him, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance may be ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.” (Luke 20:13-15a, NRSV)
This moment in the parable is a direct and chilling prophecy of what is about to unfold. The vineyard owner (God) has sent servant after servant (the prophets), and each one has been rejected. Now, in an act of forbearance, the owner sends his beloved son—his heir.
The wording here is important. “Perhaps they will respect him.” It’s not that the owner is uncertain of the outcome, but that the story highlights the gravity of the tenants’ choice. They aren’t just rejecting a servant this time—they are rejecting the very one who has rightful ownership.
But the tenants see an opportunity. Their reasoning is twisted: If we kill the heir, we can take the inheritance. This is delusion at its finest. They think that by eliminating the son, they can seize control of the vineyard. In other words, they want to rule without the rightful owner.
This is exactly what the religious leaders are plotting against Jesus. He has come, proclaiming the kingdom of God, challenging their authority, and exposing their hypocrisy. Instead of repenting, they conspire to remove him. The parallel is unmistakable—just as the son is thrown out of the vineyard and killed, Jesus will be taken outside the city walls and crucified (Hebrews 13:12).
This isn’t just a parable; it’s a warning. The leaders think they can hold onto power by rejecting the Son, but their rebellion will lead to judgment. The next verse will make that clear.
Luke 20:15b-16 – The Owner’s Judgment
“What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, ‘Heaven forbid!’” (Luke 20:15b-16, NRSV)
Jesus doesn’t leave the story open-ended. Judgment is coming. The religious leaders have abused their authority, and now, the vineyard—the kingdom of God—will be given to others.
The crowd’s reaction? “Heaven forbid!” They get it. They understand this isn’t just about wicked tenants—it’s about them.
To expand on this, we should remember Jesus’ sorrow over Jerusalem, which reflects his deep sadness for the city’s impending judgment. In Luke 19:41-44, Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, knowing the people’s hard-heartedness. He understands that, despite his teachings, they will not accept the message of the kingdom of God. They will be obstinate, as he laments, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes” (Luke 19:42, NRSV).
Luke 20:17-18 – The Stone the Builders Rejected
“But he looked at them and said, ‘What then does this text mean: "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone"? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.’”(Luke 20:17-18, NRSV)
Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22, a passage about rejection leading to triumph. The stone is Jesus. The builders are Israel’s leaders, rejecting him. But the rejected stone? It becomes the cornerstone—the most important part of the structure. Jesus, though rejected, is the foundation of God’s kingdom.
Luke 20:19 – The Religious Leaders’ Response
“When the scribes and chief priests realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to lay hands on him at that very hour, but they feared the people.” (Luke 20:19, NRSV)
They aren’t confused. They know exactly what Jesus is saying. And instead of repenting, they plot his death. But their fear of the people holds them back—for now.
This moment cements their resolve. Jesus must be stopped.
Luke 20:9-19 Meaning for Today
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants isn’t just history—it’s a warning. It speaks to:
Spiritual responsibility – Just like the tenants, we are stewards of what God has given us. Are we faithful, or are we acting as if it all belongs to us?
Rejecting God’s messengers – It’s easy to point at Israel’s leaders, but do we listen when God calls us to repentance? Or do we push away His correction?
Jesus as the foundation – The kingdom belongs to those who recognize Christ as the cornerstone. If we reject Him, we lose everything.
The warning is clear. The kingdom will not be built on religious power, wealth, or politics—it will be built on Jesus.
FAQ for Luke 20:9-19
What does the vineyard represent in the Parable of the Wicked Tenants?
The vineyard symbolizes Israel, specifically the spiritual responsibility given to its leaders.
Who are the tenants in the parable?
The tenants represent Israel’s religious leaders, who were entrusted with guiding God’s people but failed in their duties.
What does Jesus mean by “the stone the builders rejected”?
Jesus is referring to Himself. Though rejected by Israel’s leaders, He becomes the cornerstone of God’s kingdom.
Why did the religious leaders want to kill Jesus after hearing this parable?
They understood the parable was condemning them and saw Jesus as a threat to their power.
Jesus doesn’t mince words. The kingdom belongs to those who recognize him as the cornerstone.
