The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

Introduction

Luke 20:9–18 ESV

9 And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. 10 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. 11 And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. 13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15 And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” 17 But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written: “ ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? 18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

Explanation

What is happening in the story? A man plants a vineyard and hires people to work it. After awhile, he sends a servant back to get some fruit. The tenants beat him. This happened a second time. He sent a third servant, and the same thing happened again. So finally, the man sent his son. The tenants, wanting to keep the fruit for themselves, killed the son who was the heir. The owners recourse is to destroy his tenants in the vineyard.

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Who is the man? Who are the tenants? Who are the servantts? Who is the son?

What can we learn from this parable?

You cannot ultimately thwart the authority of God? Whether one denies the existence of God and abuses God’s people OR submits to Him, God’s authority will always be recognized.

God is continually and relentlessly pursuing us just as the man was pursuing his tenants.

Why were the tenants so evil? They wanted what belonged to the Father. Such is the nature of sin.

How could the tenants not see the consequences of killing the Son? They were foolishly blind.

When we see passages about Jesus being the cornerstone, they stem from here. Jesus teaching us about Him being the cornerstone.

Coram Deo

How do you feel about authority? What have been some of your most profound experiences with authority and its uses or abuses?

What would cause you to reject God - big or small?

What are the consequences of rejecting God’s authority?