Jesus shared this parable of the wicked vinedressers with His disciples as a graphic illustration of the Shaliach tradition—a tradition that He and His twelve apostles would carry forth to change the world. The Mishnah, the post-biblical compilation of Jewish law which, combined with the Gemara commentary, comprises the Talmud, reveals a passage that reads: “The one who is sent (Shaliach) is the same as the one who sends.” Jesus draws His authority from His commission. Just as the vineyard owner