Luke 20:13
What does Luke 20:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 20:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 20:13 means
After the repeated rejection and abuse of his servants, the frustrated lord of the vineyard considered his next move, asking, "What shall I do?" He decided to send his "beloved son," reasoning, "it may be they will reverence him." This decision highlights the owner's ultimate act of love and hope, believing that his own son would command the respect that his servants could not. This clearly anticipates God the Father sending His own Son, Jesus Christ, into the world, believing that humanity, and particularly the leaders of Israel, would finally honor His ultimate messenger, a truth that makes the subsequent rejection even more tragic.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the lord of the vineyard said, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; it may be they will reverence him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the lord of the vineyard said, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; it may be they will reverence him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the lord of the garden said, What am I to do? I will send my dearly loved son; they may give respect to him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And the owner of the vineyard said, What shall I do? I will send my son--the beloved, perhaps having seen this one, they will do reverence;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then the lord of the vineyard said: What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. It may be, when they see him, they will reverence him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the lord of the vineyard said, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: perhaps when they see him they will respect [him].
Context
This verse marks a crucial turning point in the parable. Following the sequential rejection of three servants, the owner's decision to send his beloved son elevates the stakes dramatically. This act of sending the son immediately precedes the tenants' ultimate act of rebellion, setting the stage for the tragic climax and revealing the profound message about God sending Jesus to His people.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 9:35
And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my Son, my chosen: hear ye him.
- Galatians 4:4
but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
- Jeremiah 36:7
It may be they will present their supplication before Jehovah, and will return every one from his evil way; for great is the anger and the wrath that Jehovah hath pronounced against this people.
- 1 John 4:9
Herein was the love of God manifested in us, that God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him.
- Hosea 11:8
How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I cast thee off, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboiim? my heart is turned within me, my compassions are kindled together.
- Hosea 6:4
O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the dew that goeth early away.
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