Devine Scripture

Mark 12:5

What does Mark 12:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 12:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 12:5 means

The landowner's persistent sending of servants culminates in the killing of a third servant, and many others follow, some beaten and some killed. This depicts the long and tragic history of God's prophets, many of whom faced martyrdom or severe persecution at the hands of those they were sent to minister to within Israel. This continuous pattern of abuse and murder reveals the depth of the tenants' entrenched rebellion and their determined effort to seize control, refusing to acknowledge the landowner's authority.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he sent another; and him they killed: and many others; beating some, and killing some.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he sent another; and him they killed: and many others; beating some, and killing some.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he sent another; and they put him to death: and a number of others, whipping some, and putting some to death.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And again he sent another, and that one they killed; and many others, some beating, and some killing.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And again he sent another, and him they killed: and many others, of whom some they beat, and others they killed.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And [again] he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some.

Context

This verse intensifies the escalating violence in the parable, demonstrating the extreme lengths to which the tenants go to resist the landowner. It shows a progression from beating to shameful treatment to outright murder. This series of rejections builds the narrative toward a critical turning point and sets the immediate stage for the arrival of the landowner's beloved son, highlighting the grave situation and the tenants' unrepentant hearts.

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

v.5This passage

v.6He had yet one, a beloved son: he sent him last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 6:22

    Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.

  • Mark 9:13

    But I say unto you, that Elijah is come, and they have also done unto him whatsoever they would, even as it is written of him.

  • Jeremiah 7:25

    Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day, I have sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them:

  • Luke 6:36

    Be ye merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

  • Matthew 5:12

    Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.

  • Matthew 21:35

    And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.

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