Devine Scripture

Mark 12:2

What does Mark 12:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 12:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 12:2 means

At harvest time, the landowner sends a servant to collect his share of the vineyard's fruit from the tenants. This servant represents the many prophets God sent throughout Israel's history, expecting a harvest of righteousness and obedience from His people. The landowner's expectation of fruit underscores God's rightful claim on what He has sown and His desire for a return from those entrusted with His blessings. It highlights divine patience and the reasonable expectation of stewardship.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruits of the vineyard.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruits of the vineyard.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when the time came, he sent a servant to get from the workmen some of the fruit of the garden.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he sent unto the husbandmen at the due time a servant, that from the husbandmen he may receive from the fruit of the vineyard,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant to receive of the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he sent a bondman to the husbandmen at the season, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.

Context

Following the establishment of the vineyard and its tenants, this verse initiates the rising conflict within the parable. It demonstrates the landowner's rightful claim and the beginning of the tenants' rebellion. This action of sending a servant directly leads to the escalating violence that follows, emphasizing the growing rejection of divine messengers by those in charge of the vineyard.

v.1And 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.

v.2This passage

v.3And they took him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Chronicles 36:15

    And Jehovah, the God of their fathers, sent to them by his messengers, rising up early and sending, because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling-place:

  • Ezra 9:11

    which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land through the uncleanness of the peoples of the lands, through their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their filthiness:

  • Jeremiah 25:4

    And Jehovah hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, (but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear),

  • 2 Kings 17:13

    Yet Jehovah testified unto Israel, and unto Judah, by every prophet, and every seer, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.

  • Matthew 21:34

    And when the season of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, to receive his fruits.

  • Luke 12:48

    but he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more.

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