Devine Scripture

Luke 20:9

What does Luke 20:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 20:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 20:9 means

Jesus then turned to the people and began to teach them through a parable, signaling a shift from direct confrontation with the leaders to instruction for the general audience. He described a man who planted a vineyard, leased it to tenants (husbandmen), and then left for a long period. This scenario would have been familiar to His listeners, as vineyard owners often entrusted their property to others. The image of the vineyard frequently represented Israel in Old Testament prophecy, hinting at the deeper spiritual meaning Jesus intended to convey about God's relationship with His chosen people.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he began to speak unto the people this parable: A man planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country for a long time.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he began to speak unto the people this parable: A man planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country for a long time.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he gave the people this story: A man made a vine-garden and gave the use of it to some field-workers and went into another country for a long time.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he began to speak unto the people this simile: `A certain man planted a vineyard, and gave it out to husbandmen, and went abroad for a long time,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he began to speak to the people this parable: A certain man planted a vineyard and let it out to husbandmen: and he was abroad for a long time.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he began to speak to the people this parable: A man planted a vineyard and let it out to husbandmen, and left the country for a long time.

Context

Following the exchange with the religious leaders where they questioned His authority and He turned their question back on them, Jesus now addresses the general crowd. This parable marks a significant pivot, moving from defensive answers to an offensive teaching that clearly condemns the Jewish leaders, though implicitly at first, preparing the audience for the escalating conflict between Jesus and the authorities.

v.8And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

v.9This passage

v.10And at the season he sent unto the husbandmen a servant, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 19:12

    He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

  • Matthew 25:14

    Forit isaswhena man, going into another country, called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

  • Psalms 80:8

    Thou broughtest a vine out of Egypt: Thou didst drive out the nations, and plantedst it.

  • Mark 12:1

    And he began to speak unto them in parables. A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a pit for the winepress, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country.

  • Song of Solomon 8:11

    Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; He let out the vineyard unto keepers; Every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver.

  • Matthew 21:33

    Hear another parable: There was a man that was a householder, who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country.

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