Luke 20:9-18
9 But He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and leased it to vine-growers, and went on a journey for a long time.
10 At the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, so that they would give him his share of the produce of the vineyard; but the vine-growers beat him and sent him away empty-handed.
11 And he proceeded to send another slave; but they beat him also and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed.
12 And he proceeded to send a third; but this one too they wounded and threw out.
13 Now the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What am I to do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’
14 But when the vine-growers saw him, they discussed with one another, saying, ‘This is the heir; let’s kill him so that the inheritance will be ours.’
15 And so they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What, then, will the owner of the vineyard do to them?
16 He will come and put these vine-growers to death, and will give the vineyard to others.” However, when they heard this, they said, “May it never happen!”
17 But Jesus looked at them and said, “Then what is this statement that has been written:
‘A stone which the builders rejected,
This has become the chief cornerstone’?
18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will crush him.”
The Parable of Bad Vine-Growers
Israel is God’s Vineyard
Comparing Israel to a vineyard was a common method used by the prophets of the Old Testament, beginning with Isaiah (ref. Isa. 3:14-15; 5:1-7). The owner of the vineyard represents God the Father. The vineyard represents the people of Israel, the farmers represent the leaders of Israel, and the servants represent the prophets. Three servants were sent, but the farmers beat them all and drove them away. The three servants refer to: (1) the prophets before the exile, (2) the prophets after the exile, and (3) John the Baptist and the disciples of Jesus. The one sent last was the “beloved son,” that is, the Messiah. However, they even rejected Him. “And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him” (v 15). This is a prophecy of the crucifixion of Jesus. The owner of the vineyard finally makes a grave decision: “He will come and put these vine-growers to death, and will give the vineyard to others” (v 16). This message of judgment was fulfilled when Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD.
Present-day application
Generally, this parable is concluded with the idea that “the kingdom of God was taken away from Israel and given to the Gentiles.” This interpretation is based on what is called “Replacement Theology.” Replacement Theology is the theological claim that “Israel has been forsaken by God, and the Church has become the new Israel.” This view was adopted in the early stages of church history (around the third or fourth century). However, does this parable truly teach such a thing? What Jesus intended to convey was that “the vineyard of God would be taken away from the leaders of Israel of that time and entrusted to another generation, to different leaders.” Israel was not completely forsaken by God; when the appointed time comes, it will once again bear fruit. That prophecy is found in Isaiah 27:2-6. If one takes the stance of Replacement Theology, how then should we interpret the prophecies of Israel’s restoration scattered throughout the Old Testament? There are two things we must do now: (1) Repent of the sin of anti-Semitism. (2) Give thanks to God, who has spoken to us again and again with love and patience. Have you been making light of God’s words to you?
Today's prayer
O God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, please forgive the Gentile Church for having stood for so long on the foundation of anti-Semitism. Please bless Your people, Israel. And guide me so that I may obey Your word, which You speak to me with love and patience. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.