Luke 20:14
But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easily missed is the chilling self-awareness in their reasoning. They didn't just decide to kill him; they recognized him as the rightful heir, then deliberately chose to murder him precisely because of who he was, plotting to seize what was rightfully his and theirs. This highlights their profound defiance, not just of a man, but of divine appointment and rightful inheritance.
Jesus is telling a parable about a landowner who leases his vineyard to tenants, intending to collect its fruit. After repeatedly sending servants to collect the harvest, who are mistreated and killed by the tenants, the landowner sends his own son, believing they will respect him. However, the tenants, recognizing the son as the heir, plot to murder him to seize the inheritance for themselves.
The tenants in Jesus' parable recognized the Son, yet their hearts were set on something else entirely. Their internal debate reveals a chilling truth about how we can know something is right but still choose wrongly.
In Luke 20:14, Jesus describes the tenants seeing the heir and their immediate, selfish reasoning: 'This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.'
The Clarity of Recognition
They saw him and knew he was the heir. This wasn't a moment of confusion or misidentification. They recognized his rightful claim to the vineyard. This mirrors how many of us encounter truth – we see the evidence, we hear the message, we recognize the validity of God's claims.
The Corruption of Self-Interest
Despite this recognition, their hearts were consumed by greed. The thought of the 'inheritance' – the vineyard and its fruits – blinded them to justice and morality. Their internal dialogue wasn't about what was right, but about what was profitable for them. This is the deadly logic of greed: it twists clear sight into warped decision-making.
Deliberate Rebellion
Their decision to kill him wasn't an impulsive act; it was a calculated conclusion. They reasoned among themselves, solidifying a shared, wicked purpose. This highlights how sin often flourishes in agreement, becoming a conspiracy against truth and righteousness.
The concept of an 'inheritance' is central here. For God, it's a generous provision. For the tenants, it's a prize to be seized by any means necessary.
The parable hinges on the motive of the tenants: 'that the inheritance may be ours.' This reveals a fundamental conflict between God's design and human sin.
God's Generous Provision
Understand the original words
klēronomos · Greek Noun
One who receives the property, status, or promises of another as a legal successor, representing the ultimate claim to the estate.
klēronomia · Greek Noun
Property or blessings passed down, often used in Scripture to describe God’s promise to His people or the eternal reward given to the faithful.
This parable directly reflects the rejection and planned murder of prophets by Israel's leaders throughout history, culminating in their intent to kill Jesus, the Son and heir, to seize control of God's kingdom.
c. 2000 BC
Abrahamic Covenant
God establishes a covenant with Abraham, promising him descendants and a land, setting the stage for Israel's inheritance.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God delivers the Israelites from slavery, a foundational event in their history and understanding of God's provision and covenant faithfulness.
c. 750-600 BC
Prophetic Warnings
Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah warn Israel about unfaithfulness and impending judgment, likening the nation to a vineyard that fails to produce fruit.
c. 4 BC - AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry
Jesus teaches, heals, and demonstrates His authority, culminating in His entry into Jerusalem and confrontation with religious leaders.
AD 30-33
This passage from the parallel account in Matthew describes the same parable and highlights the tenants' recognition of the son as the heir, directly mirroring Luke's account and emphasizing their murderous intent for the inheritance.
Genesis 37:18-20This Old Testament narrative shows Joseph's brothers plotting to kill him, recognizing him as the favored son and heir, so they could possess what they believed was rightfully theirs, reflecting the same greedy and murderous mindset.
John 11:53This verse explains the council's decision to kill Jesus, seeing him as a threat to their position and authority, which aligns with the tenants' motive to eliminate the heir to secure their own perceived ownership.
Hebrews 1:2This passage directly identifies Jesus as the heir of all things, providing theological weight to the tenants' recognition of his identity and the ultimate spiritual inheritance at stake in the parable.
bengelLuke 20:14: "But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours."
Luke 20:14 . Λέγοντες , saying ) The Scripture in weighty and true language expresses (portrays) the actual and real mind of men, which they themselves often do not think to be so bad as it is. Comp. Luke 20:16 [They said, “God forbid”]. God, who estimates things by the truth, and men, who habitually flatter themselves, weigh sins in v…
calvinLuke 20:9-19: "Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time."
- Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, who planted a vineyard, and surrounded it by a ditch, and dug a wine-press in it, and built a tower, and let it to husbandmen, and went abroad, 34. And when the season of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive its f…
What's easily missed is the chilling self-awareness in their reasoning. They didn't just decide to kill him; they recognized him as the rightful heir, then deliberately chose to murder him precisely because of who he was, plotting to seize what was rightfully his and theirs. This highlights their profound defiance, not just of a man, but of divine appointment and rightful inheritance.
Jesus is telling a parable about a landowner who leases his vineyard to tenants, intending to collect its fruit. After repeatedly sending servants to collect the harvest, who are mistreated and killed by the tenants, the landowner sends his own son, believing they will respect him. However, the tenants, recognizing the son as the heir, plot to murder him to seize the inheritance for themselves.
Jesus is telling a parable about a landowner who leases his vineyard to tenants, intending to collect its fruit. After repeatedly sending servants to collect the harvest, who are mistreated and killed by the tenants, the landowner sends his own son, believing they will respect him. However, the tenants, recognizing the son as the heir, plot to murder him to seize the inheritance for themselves.
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In the broader context of Jesus' parable, the 'inheritance' represents God's kingdom, His people, and the blessings that flow from His rule. The owner of the vineyard (God) planted it, provided for it, and intended for it to yield fruit that would be shared according to His will. He sent his servants, and finally his Son, expecting them to steward what was rightfully His.
The Tenants' Usurpation
The tenants, however, saw the vineyard not as a trust, but as a possession to be stolen. Their desire wasn't to steward or to give account, but to take for themselves. They viewed the heir's arrival not as a legitimate claim to be honored, but as an obstacle to their own selfish ownership. This reflects a deep-seated human tendency to usurp God's authority and claim what isn't ours.
The True Heir and the True Inheritance
Jesus, the Son, is the true Heir. His claim is not one of robbery, but of divine appointment. The ultimate inheritance is not merely earthly possessions or status, but the very kingdom of God, which He rightfully possesses and shares with those who belong to Him. The tenants' plan was doomed to fail because it was built on a false premise: that they could seize what God had already eternally secured for His Son.
Jesus' Crucifixion
The religious authorities, perceiving Jesus as a threat to their power, conspire to have Him killed, fulfilling the parable's climax.
c. AD 60-62
Gospel of Luke Written
Luke records Jesus' teachings and parables, including this one, for his audience, likely Theophilus, providing a historical and theological account.
"But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’" — What's easily missed is the chilling self-awareness in their reasoning. They didn't just decide to kill him; they recognized him as the rightful heir, then deliberately chose to murder him precisely…
