Luke 20:15
What does Luke 20:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 20:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 20:15 means
The ultimate act of rebellion occurred as the tenants cast the son out of the vineyard and then killed him. This deliberate and brutal murder represents the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Just as the son was killed outside the vineyard, Jesus was crucified outside the city gates of Jerusalem. This calculated act was driven by their desire to claim the inheritance for themselves. Jesus then turns to the listeners with a rhetorical question, "What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do unto them?" forcing them to confront the inevitable consequences of such heinous actions.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they cast him forth out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
KJV
King James Version · 1611So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they cast him forth out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And driving him out of the garden they put him to death. Now what will the lord do to these workmen?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and having cast him outside of the vineyard, they killed <FI>him<Fi> ; what, then, shall the owner of the vineyard do to them?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752So casting him out of the vineyard, they killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do to them?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And having cast him forth out of the vineyard, they killed [him]. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do to them?
Context
This verse depicts the climactic and violent act of the tenants—the murder of the son—which climaxes the parable's narrative. This follows their conspiratorial decision to kill him, bringing their wicked intentions to fruition. The subsequent question posed by Jesus immediately invites the listeners to consider the just consequences for such an egregious act, serving as a direct warning to the religious leaders who intended to do precisely this to Jesus.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 12:6
He had yet one, a beloved son: he sent him last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.
- Matthew 21:37
But afterward he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
- Hebrews 13:12
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered without the gate.
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