He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "God forbid" isn't just a polite rejection; it's a desperate cry, "May it not be!" This reveals that even as the religious leaders heard Jesus' parable, a part of them recoiled from the horrifying implication that they themselves were the wicked tenants destined for destruction, and that God’s kingdom would be taken from them.
He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just told a parable about a landowner who leased his vineyard to tenants, only for them to kill the servants sent to collect the harvest, and finally, the landowner's own son, the heir. When Jesus asks the religious leaders what the landowner will do, they condemn the tenants, stating he will destroy them and give the vineyard to others. Jesus then directly challenges them with their own judgment, and they recoil, exclaiming, "Surely not!" realizing the parable is a pointed accusation against them.
When Jesus tells a parable, the listeners often miss the point. But sometimes, they grasp it all too well, leading to a moment of stunning self-realization.
Jesus tells a parable about a vineyard owner who lets out his vineyard to tenants. These tenants mistreat and kill the servants sent to collect the fruit, and eventually, they kill the owner's son, the heir.
When Jesus asks the religious leaders what the owner will do, they declare, 'He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.'
The religious leaders heard Jesus's words and understood their gravity. Their response, 'God forbid,' reveals more than just surprise; it shows a deep-seated refusal to accept a devastating truth.
The phrase 'God forbid' (or 'May it not be') is a strong exclamation of disbelief and rejection. The original Greek, 'me genoi-to,' conveys a fervent wish that something absolutely should not happen.
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Understand the original words
apolesei · Greek Verb
Refers to the act of bringing judgment or ruin upon someone or something, often as a result of divine justice or rebellion against God. In the context of Israel's leaders, it signifies the removal of their privilege due to unfaithfulness.
ampelona · Greek Noun
A metaphor used throughout the Old and New Testaments to represent the people of Israel or the kingdom of God, which God has cultivated and over which He holds ownership.
This parable was told at the end of Jesus' earthly ministry, in Jerusalem, just days before his crucifixion. The religious leaders, who saw themselves as the rightful caretakers of God's people (the vineyard), understood Jesus was condemning their leadership and predicting their judgment, leading them to seek his death.
c. 70 BC
Herod the Great Appointed Governor
Herod the Great was appointed governor of Galilee, marking the beginning of Roman influence and the eventual end of the Hasmonean dynasty, setting the stage for a complex political landscape.
c. 63 BC
Roman Conquest of Judea
Pompey the Great conquered Judea, bringing it under Roman control and establishing a period of Roman-Hasmonean client kingship. This event significantly altered the political and religious landscape.
c. 40 BC
Herod Appointed King of Judea
The Roman Senate appointed Herod the Great as king of Judea, solidifying Roman authority and ushering in a new era of rule that would eventually lead to the rebuilding of the Temple.
c. 20 BC - 10 BC
Temple Reconstruction Begins
King Herod the Great begins a massive renovation and expansion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. This ambitious project was a major undertaking for the Jewish people and a symbol of their identity.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples. This period is marked by his increasing conflict with the religious authorities.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Trial and Crucifixion
Jesus is arrested, tried by the Jewish leaders, and crucified under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. This event is central to Christian theology.
c. AD 33— this verse
Jesus Tells the Parable of the Tenants
Jesus tells the Parable of the Wicked Tenants in Jerusalem, directly confronting the chief priests and elders. Their horrified reaction to the parable's conclusion highlights their rejection of his authority and foreshadows their doom.
This passage from Matthew presents the same parable and shows the religious leaders correctly interpreting it as a judgment against them for their rejection and killing of the heir.
Isaiah 5:1-7This earlier prophecy describes God's 'vineyard' (Israel) and His disappointment with the 'wild grapes' (wickedness) produced by its tenants, setting the stage for the parable Jesus tells.
Psalm 118:22-23Jesus directly quotes this psalm when the leaders react with horror, showing that the rejection and subsequent elevation of the 'stone' (the heir) was foretold in Scripture.
Romans 9:30-33This passage discusses Israel's pursuit of righteousness by law rather than faith, resulting in their stumbling over Christ, paralleling the rejection of the heir by the vineyard tenants.
Acts 4:11Peter quotes Psalm 118:22 concerning Jesus, explicitly calling Him the 'stone that was rejected by you builders,' directly connecting the psalm to the rejection of Christ.
pooleLuke 20:16: "He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid."
See Poole on "Luke 20:9"
clarkeLuke 20:16: "He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid."
God forbid - Or, Let it not be, μη γενοιτο. Our phrase, God forbid, answers pretty well to the meaning of the Greek, but it is no translation.
The phrase "God forbid" isn't just a polite rejection; it's a desperate cry, "May it not be!" This reveals that even as the religious leaders heard Jesus' parable, a part of them recoiled from the horrifying implication that they themselves were the wicked tenants destined for destruction, and that God’s kingdom would be taken from them.
Jesus has just told a parable about a landowner who leased his vineyard to tenants, only for them to kill the servants sent to collect the harvest, and finally, the landowner's own son, the heir. When Jesus asks the religious leaders what the landowner will do, they condemn the tenants, stating he will destroy them and give the vineyard to others. Jesus then directly challenges them with their own judgment, and they recoil, exclaiming, "Surely not!" realizing the parable is a pointed accusation against them.
Jesus has just told a parable about a landowner who leased his vineyard to tenants, only for them to kill the servants sent to collect the harvest, and finally, the landowner's own son, the heir. When Jesus asks the religious leaders what the landowner will do, they condemn the tenants, stating he will destroy them and give the vineyard to others. Jesus then directly challenges them with their own judgment, and they recoil, exclaiming, "Surely not!" realizing the parable is a pointed accusation against them.
"He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!”" — The phrase "God forbid" isn't just a polite rejection; it's a desperate cry, "May it not be!" This reveals that even as the religious leaders heard Jesus' parable, a part of them recoiled from the ho…
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Last reviewed October 2026