Devine Scripture

Mark 12:3

What does Mark 12:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 12:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 12:3 means

Instead of respectfully receiving the landowner’s servant and offering the due produce, the tenants violently seize him, beat him, and send him away empty-handed. This harsh treatment symbolizes Israel's historical rejection and mistreatment of God's prophets, who were often persecuted and ignored when they called the people back to God. Their refusal to give the landowner his share indicates their deep-seated rebellion and covetousness, desiring to keep all for themselves rather than fulfilling their obligation to the true owner.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they took him, and gave him blows, and sent him away with nothing.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they, having taken him, did severely beat <FI>him<Fi> , and did send him away empty.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Who, having laid hands on him, beat and sent him away empty.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But they took him, and beat [him], and sent [him] away empty.

Context

This verse marks the first act of rebellion by the tenants in the parable, setting a pattern for their escalating hostility. It immediately follows the landowner's reasonable request for his share. This initial act of violence foreshadows the greater sin to come and establishes the theme of humanity's rejection of God's messengers, which will intensify in the subsequent verses.

v.2And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruits of the vineyard.

v.3This passage

v.4And again he sent unto them another servant; and him they wounded in the head, and handled shamefully.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Kings 22:27

    and say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.

  • Hebrews 11:36

    and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

  • Jeremiah 44:16

    As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of Jehovah, we will not hearken unto thee.

  • 2 Chronicles 24:19

    Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto Jehovah; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.

  • 2 Chronicles 16:10

    Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in the prison-house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people at the same time.

  • 1 Kings 19:10

    And he said, I have been very jealous for Jehovah, the God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword: and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

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