Parable of the Vineyard Owner

Matt. 21:33–44; Mark 12:1–11

9 Then He began to tell the people this parable: e“A certain man planted a vineyard, leased it to 2vinedressers, and went into a far country for a long time. 10 Now at 3vintage-time he fsent a servant to the vinedressers, that they might give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the vinedressers beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 Again he sent another servant; and they beat him also, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 And again he sent a third; and they wounded him also and cast him out.

13 “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. Probably they will respect him when they see him.’ 14 But when the vinedressers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘This is the gheir. Come, hlet us kill him, that the inheritance may be iours.’ 15 So they cast him out of the vineyard and jkilled him. Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard to kothers.”

And when they heard it they said, “Certainly not!”

17 Then He looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written:

l‘The stone which the builders rejected

Has become the chief cornerstone’?

18 Whoever falls on that stone will be mbroken; but non whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”

Herodians Question Tribute Money

Matt. 21:45, 46; 22:15–22; Mark 12:12–17

19 And the chief priests and the scribes that very hour sought to lay hands on Him, but they 4feared the people—for they knew He had spoken this parable against them.

20 oSo they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor.

21 Then they asked Him, saying, p“Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth: 22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

23 But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 5“Why do you test Me? 24 Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?”

They answered and said, “Caesar’s.”

25 And He said to them, q“Render 6therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

26 But they could not catch Him in His words in the presence of the people. And they marveled at His answer and kept silent.