The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

12 Then he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the winepress, and built a watchtower; then he leased it to tenants and went away.^(A)

³⁴ It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.^(A)

The Song of the Unfruitful Vineyard

² He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them:^(A)

The Parable of the Talents

¹⁴ “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them;^(A)

¹⁷ But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted among the others to share the rich root^[a] of the olive tree, ¹⁸ do not boast over the branches. If you do boast, remember: you do not support the root, but the root supports you. ¹⁹ You will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” ²⁰ That is true. They were broken off on account of unbelief,^[b] but you stand on account of belief.^[c] So do not become arrogant, but be afraid.^{(A) 21} For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.^{[d] 22} Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen but God’s kindness toward you, if you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.^{(B) 23} And even those of Israel,^[e] if they do not continue in unbelief,^[f] will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.^{(C) 24} For if you have been 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 natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree.

The Use of Parables

³³ With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it;^{(A) 34} he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.^(B)

⁴ They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;^{(A) 5} to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Christ, who is over all, God blessed forever.^[a] Amen.^(B)