Mark 12:1-12
1 And He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it, and dug a vat under the wine press and built a tower, and leased it to vine-growers and went on a journey.
2 And at the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, in order to receive his share of the produce of the vineyard from the vine-growers.
3 And they took him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed.
4 And again he sent them another slave, and they wounded him in the head, and treated him shamefully.
5 And he sent another, and that one they killed; and so with many others, beating some and killing others.
6 He had one more man to send, a beloved son; he sent him to them last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’
7 But those vine-growers said to one another, ‘This is the heir; come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!’
8 And they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.
9 What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and put the vine-growers to death, and give the vineyard to others.
10 Have you not even read this Scripture:
‘A stone which the builders rejected,
This has become the chief cornerstone;
11 This came about from the Lord,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
12 And they were seeking to seize Him, and yet they feared the people, for they understood that He told the parable against them. And so they left Him and went away.
The Parable of the Wicked Vine-Growers
Israel as God’s vineyard
Jesus accurately analyzes the spiritual condition of Israel at that time through the “Parable of the Wicked Vine-growers.” Comparing Israel to a vineyard is a method frequently used by the prophets of the Old Testament (ref. Isa. 3:14–15, 5:1–7, etc.). The owner of the vineyard is the Father God. The vineyard represents the people of Israel, the vine-growers represent the leaders of Israel, and the slaves represent the prophets. Three slaves are sent, but the vine-growers abuse them and reject them all. The three slaves symbolize (1) the prophets before the Babylonian Exile, (2) the prophets after the exile, and (3) John the Baptist and Jesus’ disciples. Finally, the “beloved son,” that is, the Messiah was sent. However, the vine-growers even kill the son. This is a prophecy of Jesus’ crucifixion. The owner of the vineyard finally makes a significant decision. “He will come and put the vine-growers to death, and give the vineyard to others.” This word of judgment was fulfilled when Jerusalem was destroyed in AD 70.
Application
Often time, many conclude that this parable teaches that “the kingdom of God is taken away from Israel and given to the Gentiles.” This interpretation is based on “Replacement Theology,” a theological assertion that “Israel has been forsaken by God, and the Church has become the new Israel.” Such theology has been adopted since the early stages of church history (at around the 3rd to 4th centuries). However, what this parable teaches is that “the vineyard of God will be taken away from the leaders of Israel at that time and entrusted to leaders of another generation.” Israel was not completely forsaken by God. When the time comes, they will bear fruits once again. This prophecy is found in Isaiah 27:2-6. God always speaks to us with love and patience. Ignoring God’s communication results in losing blessings. Let’s pay attention to the words, “God disciplines those He loves.” It is God’s expectation that you bear rich fruits.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, allow me to listen to Your words. And when I hear Your voice, help me be obedient. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.