The Parable of the Tenants

12 (A)And he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted (B)a vineyard (C)and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and (D)leased it to tenants and (E)went into another country.

Read full chapter

34 (A)It is like a man (B)going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants[a] in charge, (C)each with his work, and commands (D)the doorkeeper to stay awake.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Mark 13:34 Or bondservants

The Vineyard of the Lord Destroyed

Let me sing for my beloved
    my love song concerning his vineyard:
My beloved had (A)a vineyard
    on a very fertile hill.
He dug it and cleared it of stones,
    and planted it with (B)choice vines;
he built a watchtower in the midst of it,
    and hewed out a wine vat in it;
and (C)he looked for it to yield grapes,
    but it yielded wild grapes.

And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem
    and men of Judah,
judge between me and my vineyard.
(D)What more was there to do for my vineyard,
    that I have not done in it?
(E)When I looked for it to yield grapes,
    why did it yield wild grapes?

Read full chapter

And (A)he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them:

Read full chapter

The Parable of the Talents

14 (A)“For (B)it will be like a man (C)going on a journey, who called his servants[a] and entrusted to them his property.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 25:14 Or bondservants; also verse 19

17 But if (A)some of the branches were broken off, and you, (B)although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root[a] of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you (C)stand fast through faith. So (D)do not become proud, but (E)fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, (F)provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise (G)you too will be cut off. 23 And (H)even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Romans 11:17 Greek root of richness; some manuscripts richness

33 (A)With many such parables he spoke (B)the word to them, (C)as they were able to hear it. 34 He did not speak to them (D)without a parable, but (E)privately to his own disciples he (F)explained everything.

Read full chapter

You brought (A)a vine out of Egypt;
    you (B)drove out the nations and planted it.
You (C)cleared the ground for it;
    it took deep root and filled the land.
10 The mountains were covered with its shade,
    the mighty cedars with its branches.
11 It sent out its branches to (D)the sea
    and its shoots to (E)the River.[a]
12 Why then have you (F)broken down its walls,
    so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?
13 (G)The boar from the forest ravages it,
    and all that move in the field feed on it.

14 Turn again, O God of hosts!
    (H)Look down from heaven, and see;
have regard for this vine,
15     the stock that your right hand planted,
    and for the son whom you made strong for yourself.
16 They have (I)burned it with fire; they have (J)cut it down;
    may they perish at (K)the rebuke of your face!

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 80:11 That is, the Euphrates

They are (A)Israelites, and to them belong (B)the adoption, (C)the glory, (D)the covenants, (E)the giving of the law, (F)the worship, and (G)the promises. To them belong (H)the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, (I)who is God over all, (J)blessed forever. Amen.

Read full chapter

God's Righteousness Upheld

Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, (A)the Jews were entrusted with (B)the oracles of God.

Read full chapter

46 (A)who found favor in the sight of God and (B)asked to find a dwelling place for (C)the God of Jacob.[a] 47 But it was (D)Solomon who built a house for him.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Acts 7:46 Some manuscripts for the house of Jacob

38 This is the one (A)who was in the congregation in the wilderness with (B)the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. (C)He received (D)living (E)oracles to give to us.

Read full chapter

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

(A)And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted (B)a vineyard and (C)let it out to tenants and (D)went into another country for a long while. 10 When the time came, he sent a servant[a] to the tenants, so that (E)they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. (F)But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 (G)And (H)he sent another servant. But they also beat and (I)treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 (J)And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. 13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my (K)beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, (L)‘This is the heir. (M)Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15 And they (N)threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 (O)He will (P)come and destroy those tenants and (Q)give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” 17 But he (R)looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written:

(S)“‘The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone’?[b]

18 (T)Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls (U)on anyone, it will crush him.”

Paying Taxes to Caesar

19 (V)The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Luke 20:10 Or bondservant; also verse 11
  2. Luke 20:17 Greek the head of the corner

I Am the True Vine

15 “I am the (A)true vine, and my Father is (B)the vinedresser. (C)Every branch in me that does not bear fruit (D)he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, (E)that it may bear more fruit. Already (F)you are clean (G)because of the word that I have spoken to you. (H)Abide (I)in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; (J)you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that (K)bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me (L)he is thrown away like a branch and withers; (M)and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If (N)you abide in me, and my words abide in you, (O)ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (P)By this my Father is glorified, that you (Q)bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

Read full chapter

12 He said therefore, (A)“A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.

Read full chapter

13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in (A)reckless living.

Read full chapter

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

And he told this parable: “A man had (A)a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. (B)Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

Read full chapter

10 he said, (A)“To you it has been given to know (B)the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so (C)that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’

Read full chapter

The Parable of the Tenants

12 (A)And he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted (B)a vineyard (C)and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and (D)leased it to tenants and (E)went into another country. When the season came, he sent a servant[a] to the tenants to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. (F)And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. (G)Again (H)he sent to them another servant, and (I)they struck him on the head and (J)treated him shamefully. (K)And he sent another, and him they killed. And so with many others: some they beat, and some they killed. He had still one other, (L)a beloved son. (M)Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, (N)‘This is the heir. Come, (O)let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ And they took him and killed him and (P)threw him out of the vineyard. What will the owner of the vineyard do? (Q)He will (R)come and destroy the tenants and (S)give the vineyard to others. 10 (T)Have you not read (U)this Scripture:

(V)“‘The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;[b]
11 this was the Lord's doing,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

12 And (W)they were seeking to arrest him (X)but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they (Y)left him and went away.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Mark 12:2 Or bondservant; also verse 4
  2. Mark 12:10 Greek the head of the corner

11 And he said to them, (A)“To you has been given (B)the secret of the kingdom of God, but for (C)those outside everything is in parables, 12 (D)so that

“‘they (E)may indeed see but not perceive,
    and may indeed hear but not understand,
lest they (F)should turn and be forgiven.’”

13 (G)And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?

Read full chapter

The Parable of the Two Sons

28 (A)“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in (B)the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he (C)changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, (D)the tax collectors and (E)the prostitutes go into (F)the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you (G)in the way of righteousness, and (H)you did not believe him, but (I)the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward (J)change your minds and believe him.

The Parable of the Tenants

33 (K)“Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted (L)a vineyard (M)and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and (N)leased it to tenants, and (O)went into another country. 34 When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants[a] to the tenants (P)to get his fruit. 35 (Q)And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and (R)stoned another. 36 (S)Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, (T)‘This is the heir. Come, (U)let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ 39 And they took him and (V)threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 (W)When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, (X)“He will put those wretches to a miserable death and (Y)let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.”

42 Jesus said to them, (Z)“Have you never read in the Scriptures:

(AA)“‘The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;[b]
this was the Lord's doing,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God (AB)will be taken away from you and given to a people (AC)producing its fruits. 44 And (AD)the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and (AE)when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”[c]

45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 And (AF)although they were seeking to arrest him, (AG)they feared the crowds, because they held him to be (AH)a prophet.

The Parable of the Wedding Feast

22 And again Jesus (AI)spoke to them in parables, saying, (AJ)“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave (AK)a wedding feast for his son, and (AL)sent his servants[d] to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. (AM)Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my (AN)dinner, (AO)my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ But (AP)they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, (AQ)treated them shamefully, and (AR)killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and (AS)destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not (AT)worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and (AU)gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there (AV)a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, (AW)‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and (AX)cast him into the outer darkness. In that place (AY)there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are (AZ)called, but few are (BA)chosen.”

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 21:34 Or bondservants; also verses 35, 36
  2. Matthew 21:42 Greek the head of the corner
  3. Matthew 21:44 Some manuscripts omit verse 44
  4. Matthew 22:3 Or bondservants; also verses 4, 6, 8, 10

Prophecy and Parables

34 (A)All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. 35 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet:[a]

(B)“I will open my mouth in parables;
    (C)I will utter what has been hidden (D)since the foundation of the world.”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 13:35 Some manuscripts Isaiah the prophet

The Purpose of the Parables

10 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered them, (A)“To you it has been given to know (B)the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 (C)For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, (D)even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because (E)seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, (F)nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:

(G)“‘“You will indeed hear but never understand,
    and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
15 For this people's heart has grown dull,
    and with their ears (H)they can barely hear,
    and (I)their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
    and hear with their ears
and (J)understand with their heart
    and (K)turn, and I would heal them.’

Read full chapter

49 Then I said, (A)“Ah, Lord God! They are saying of me, (B)‘Is he not a maker of parables?’”

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends

ESV Study Bible, Personal Size, TruTone Imitation Leather, Brown
ESV Study Bible, Personal Size, TruTone Imitation Leather, Brown
Retail: $74.99
Our Price: $47.49
Save: $27.50 (37%)
4.0 of 5.0 stars
John, ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
John, ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
Retail: $6.99
Our Price: $4.79
Save: $2.20 (31%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Church Bible (Value Pew Bible) Black
ESV Church Bible (Value Pew Bible) Black
Retail: $12.99
Our Price: $6.49
Save: $6.50 (50%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars