1. Lesson 14:
The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers (cont.)

2. The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers: The Background
Mt. 21:33-45; Mk. 12:1-12; Lk. 20:9-19
Told during last week of Jesus’ life, a time of tremendous controversy with Jews
Hostility to put Jesus to death was intensifying—now, more than before, Jesus was presenting Himself as the Messiah
The chief priests & elders had questioned His authority
Jesus exposed their insincerity with the Parable of the Two Sons
Now, in this parable, He histories the rebellious Jewish nation, their rejection of the Messiah and the consequences thereof. 2

3. The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers: The Narrative
Mt. 21:33-45; Mk. 12:1-12; Lk. 20:9-19
A landowner planted a vineyard, set it in order, leased it to vinedressers, then he went into a far country (a familiar scene)
The landowner was God, the Father
The vineyard represents “the special advantages and opportunities which were given to the people as the chosen seed” (cf. v. 43)
The vineyard was prepared fully:
Hedge – separated from pagan neighbors (Num. 23:9) and by the law of Moses (Eph. 2:14-15)
Tower – symbol of protection & comfort (cf. Isa. 5:4) 3

4. The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers: The Narrative
Mt. 21:33-45; Mk. 12:1-12; Lk. 20:9-19
A landowner planted a vineyard, set it in order, leased it to vinedressers, then he went into a far country (a familiar scene)
The vinedressers/husbandmen represent the Jewish nation more fully, and their leaders (the priests and elders) more specifically (cf. v. 45)
The far country reflects God letting His people make their own decisions, perhaps also a representation of God no longer speaking “face to face” with Israel from the death of Moses to the time of Christ (cf. Deut. 34:9-10) 4

5. The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers: The Narrative
Mt. 21:33-45; Mk. 12:1-12; Lk. 20:9-19
Vintage-time (harvest season) drew near, the landowner sent his servants to collect the fruit, but they were beaten, stoned and killed
Harvest season denoted the state of ripeness that was expected of the Hebrew people
Law of Moses was given to reveal sin (Rom. 3:20; 7:7)
The Jews should have learned they were unable to justify themselves by that law (Gal. 3:10-11)
Their hearts should have been longing for the fulfillment of the prophets’ message (cf. 1 Pe. 1:10-11) 5

6. The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers: The Narrative
Mt. 21:33-45; Mk. 12:1-12; Lk. 20:9-19
Vintage-time (harvest season) drew near, the landowner sent his servants to collect the fruit, but they were beaten, stoned and killed
The servants were the OT prophets who were shamelessly persecuted by many of the Jews
Israel rejected many prophets (cf. 2 Chr. 36:15-16)
Jesus paralleled persecution of old with persecution from wicked Jews in His day (cf. Mt. 5:12; 23:37)
The sustained efforts of God to collect His fruits is a commentary on His compassionate patience with man 6

7. The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers: The Narrative
Mt. 21:33-45; Mk. 12:1-12; Lk. 20:9-19
The landowner sent his one son, his beloved, last of all—“They will respect my son.”
The beloved is Jesus Christ (Mt. 3:17; 17:5)
Christ is in a different class than the servants/prophets (Mt. 16:13-16); He is deity (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Jn. 1:1).
The Son is God’s final offer to reconcile man (Heb. 10:26; John 14:6)
How great the demonstration of God’s love in sending His Son, in spite of the abuse heaped upon His prophets 7

8. The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers: The Narrative
Mt. 21:33-45; Mk. 12:1-12; Lk. 20:9-19
But, the vinedressers saw “the heir” and said, “Let us kill him and seize his inheritance.” They cast him out and killed him.
They recognized He was the “heir” (Heb. 1:2)—not totally ignorant, but had blinded themselves
Jewish rulers wanted the inheritance; they delivered Him up out of envy (Mt. 27:18)
Christ was taken out of the city (Jn. 19:17) & suffered “outside the gate” (Heb. 13:12)
Parabolic prophecy of the Savior’s death (cf. Mt. 16:21) 8

9. The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers: The Narrative
Mt. 21:33-45; Mk. 12:1-12; Lk. 20:9-19
The Lord asked the Jews, “what will [the landowner] do to those vinedressers?”
They replied, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably” – adding, “God forbid!” (Lk. 12:16)
They pronounced their own doom (like King David did), which was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 9

10. The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers: The Narrative
Mt. 21:33-45; Mk. 12:1-12; Lk. 20:9-19
Christ told them that the conduct of the vinedressers was a fulfillment of prophecy: “The stone which the builders rejected…the chief cornerstone…” (cf. Ps. 118:22-23)
Jesus was the rejected stone. Also called:
Stone of stumbling to Jews & rock of offense to Gentiles (1 Pet. 2:8; 1 Cor. 1:23)
A tried stone (Isa. 28:16)
Living, elect/chosen, precious stone (1 Pet. 2:4)
Spiritual Rock that sustains (1 Cor. 10:4) 10

11. The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers: The Narrative
Mt. 21:33-45; Mk. 12:1-12; Lk. 20:9-19
Christ told them that the conduct of the vinedressers was a fulfillment of prophecy: “The stone which the builders rejected…the chief cornerstone…” (cf. Ps. 118:22-23)
The rejected stone became chief cornerstone.
Cornerstones gave strength to two walls connected
As the chief cornerstone, Jesus blends together:
Eternity (Jn. 1:1) & time (Jn. 1:14)
Deity (Heb. 1:8) & humanity (1 Tim. 3:16)
First covenant & second covenant (Heb. 10:9)
Mercy (Eph. 2:4) & justice of God (Rom. 3:26)
Jew & Gentile (Eph. 2:16) 11

12. The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers: The Narrative
Mt. 21:33-45; Mk. 12:1-12; Lk. 20:9-19
Jesus declared the kingdom would be taken from the Jews and given to a fruitful nation
The “kingdom” to be taken from the Jews was their reign as Jehovah’s covenant people.
Premillennialism asserts a nationalistic restoration of the Hebrew nation, which this statement of Jesus obviously denies.
That “new nation” was the church of Christ (1 Pet. 2:9), the spiritual Israel of God (Gal. 6:16) 12

13. The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers: The Narrative
Mt. 21:33-45; Mk. 12:1-12; Lk. 20:9-19
Christ affirms that those who oppose Him will be crushed
The Jews were crushed in A.D. 70 by the Romans–God’s armies (Mt. 22:7)
The Jewish rejection of Christ brought God’s wrath (1 Thess. 2:15-16)
Multiplied thousands of Israelites were killed and enslaved. Josephus says that 1.1 mil Jews were killed.
The Hebrews were scattered (cf. Dt. 28:29; Jer. 24:9; Amos 9:9).
The temple’s foundations were plowed up (Mt. 24:2).
The principle applies to any who oppose the Son of God! 13

14. The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers: Lessons/Truths
Mt. 21:33-45; Mk. 12:1-12; Lk. 20:9-19
God bestows wonderful privileges which He expects to be used.
People often make bad use of their privileges, leading to significant consequences.
Persecution of God’s messengers is an assault upon the Lord Himself.
God is infinitely merciful and patient.
There is a limit to divine grace.
Rejecting Christ brings condemnation.
The Jewish nation has been rejected as the Lord’s covenant people.
Man’s rebellion cannot foil the plan of the Almighty. 14