And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus doesn't just start telling a story; he begins by planting a vineyard, symbolizing God's care for his people, and then hands it over to tenants for an extended period, highlighting God's patience and delegation before his eventual return. This initial setup emphasizes not just ownership, but a significant trust placed in the hands of others.
And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus begins to tell a parable to the crowds after confronting the religious leaders about his authority. This parable, a familiar one found in other Gospels, sets up a story about a landowner entrusting his vineyard to tenants and leaving for an extended period, signaling a period of neglect and potential betrayal before the landowner's eventual return.
Imagine investing everything into a beautiful vineyard, only to leave it in someone else's care. What does this setup reveal about the owner?
The parable begins with a picture of intentionality and investment.
God's Heart for His People
Ask a follow-up
When the owner leaves for an extended period, the real character of the tenants is revealed. What does this silence from the owner expect from those left in charge?
The core tension of the parable is established in the opening verses: the owner's absence and the tenants' subsequent actions.
Expectations and Reality
Understand the original words
parabolē · Greek Noun
A short, simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. Jesus frequently used them to hide truth from the rebellious while revealing it to his disciples.
ampelōn · Greek Noun
In biblical imagery, a vineyard often represents the people of Israel or the kingdom of God, which is under God's cultivation and care. It emphasizes God's expectation for the produce of righteousness and fruitfulness.
geōrgos · Greek Noun
Individuals entrusted with the care of land or property that does not belong to them. Spiritually, this refers to those entrusted with stewardship over God's people or spiritual truth, who are accountable to the owner (God).
This parable paints a picture of God entrusting His people, Israel, with a precious 'vineyard' (the covenant, the land, the Law), only for them to repeatedly reject His messengers and ultimately kill His Son. The historical context of Israel's covenant history, the role of the prophets, and the rejection of Jesus by the religious leaders are all essential to grasping the gravity of this story.
c. 1400 BC
Israel enters the Promised Land
After wandering in the wilderness, the people of Israel entered the land God had promised them, a land described as a fertile vineyard.
c. 8th Century BC
Prophets rebuke Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness
Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah spoke God's word to the people, calling them back to faithfulness and warning against their unrighteousness, often using vineyard imagery.
c. 4 BC - AD 30/33— this verse
Jesus' earthly ministry
Jesus preached, taught, and performed miracles throughout Galilee and Judea, calling people to repent and believe in the coming Kingdom of God.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus enters Jerusalem and teaches
During His final week, Jesus entered Jerusalem and began teaching with divine authority, confronting the religious leaders and telling this parable to the crowds.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus is crucified and resurrected
Despite His claims and the chief priests' opposition, Jesus was crucified by Roman authorities but rose again, validating His identity and mission.
c. AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Roman army besieged and destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, a catastrophic event fulfilling Jesus' prophecies and signifying judgment on the nation.
This passage introduces the same parable, highlighting the initial setup of the vineyard and the owner's departure, setting the stage for the tenants' betrayal.
Mark 12:1This parallel account also begins the parable with the man planting a vineyard and entrusting it to tenants before leaving, emphasizing the established relationship and responsibility.
Isaiah 5:1This Old Testament passage uses the imagery of God planting a vineyard for Israel, establishing the symbolic meaning of the vineyard as God's people and the owner as God himself.
Psalm 80:8-15This psalm directly compares Israel to a vine that God transplanted, reinforcing the theme of God's careful cultivation of his people and their subsequent failures.
barnesLuke 20:9: "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."
See this parable explained in the notes at Matthew 21:33-45 .
clarkeLuke 20:9: "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."
A certain man planted a vineyard, etc. - See this parable largely explained, Matthew 21:33-46 (note). See also on Mark 12:4-9 (note).
Jesus doesn't just start telling a story; he begins by planting a vineyard, symbolizing God's care for his people, and then hands it over to tenants for an extended period, highlighting God's patience and delegation before his eventual return. This initial setup emphasizes not just ownership, but a significant trust placed in the hands of others.
Jesus begins to tell a parable to the crowds after confronting the religious leaders about his authority. This parable, a familiar one found in other Gospels, sets up a story about a landowner entrusting his vineyard to tenants and leaving for an extended period, signaling a period of neglect and potential betrayal before the landowner's eventual return.
Jesus begins to tell a parable to the crowds after confronting the religious leaders about his authority. This parable, a familiar one found in other Gospels, sets up a story about a landowner entrusting his vineyard to tenants and leaving for an extended period, signaling a period of neglect and potential betrayal before the landowner's eventual return.
"And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while." — Jesus doesn't just start telling a story; he begins by planting a vineyard, symbolizing God's care for his people, and then hands it over to tenants for an extended period, highlighting God's patienc…
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Last reviewed October 2026