Luke 20:9
New International Version
He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time.

New Living Translation
Now Jesus turned to the people again and told them this story: “A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and moved to another country to live for several years.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time.

Berean Literal Bible
And He began to speak to the people this parable: "A certain man planted a vineyard, and rented it to farmers, and went abroad a long time.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then He began to tell the people this parable: “A certain man planted a vineyard, leased it to vinedressers, and went into a far country for a long time.

New American Standard Bible
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.

NASB 1995
And He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and rented it out to vine-growers, and went on a journey for a long time.

NASB 1977
And He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and rented it out to vine-growers, and went on a journey for a long time.

Legacy Standard Bible
And He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and rented it out to vine-growers, and went on a journey for a long time.

Amplified Bible
Then He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and leased it to tenant farmers, and went on a journey for a long time [to another country].

Christian Standard Bible
Now he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and went away for a long time.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and went away for a long time.

American Standard Version
And he began to speak unto the people this parable: A man planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country for a long time.

Contemporary English Version
Jesus told the people this story: A man once planted a vineyard and rented it out. Then he left the country for a long time.

English Revised Version
And he began to speak unto the people this parable: A man planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country for a long time.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then, using this illustration, Jesus spoke to the people: "A man planted a vineyard, leased it to vineyard workers, and went on a long trip.

Good News Translation
Then Jesus told the people this parable: "There was once a man who planted a vineyard, rented it out to tenants, and then left home for a long time.

International Standard Version
Then he began to tell the people this parable: "A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and went abroad for a long time.

Majority Standard Bible
Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: ?A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time.

NET Bible
Then he began to tell the people this parable: "A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and went on a journey for a long time.

New Heart English Bible
He began to tell the people this parable. "A man planted a vineyard, and rented it out to some farmers, and went on a journey for a long time.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then he began to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.

Weymouth New Testament
Then He proceeded to speak a parable to the people. "There was a man," He said, "who planted a vineyard, let it out to vine-dressers, and went abroad for a considerable time.

World English Bible
He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and rented it out to some farmers, and went into another country for a long time.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And He began to speak to the people this allegory: “A certain man planted a vineyard, and gave it out to farmers, and went abroad for a long time,

Berean Literal Bible
And He began to speak to the people this parable: "A certain man planted a vineyard, and rented it to farmers, and went abroad a long time.

Young's Literal Translation
And he began to speak unto the people this simile: 'A certain man planted a vineyard, and gave it out to husbandmen, and went abroad for a long time,

Smith's Literal Translation
And he began to say to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it to farmers, and went abroad sufficient time.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he began to speak to the people this parable: A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen: and he was abroad for a long time.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, and he loaned it to settlers, and he was on a sojourn for a long time.

New American Bible
Then he proceeded to tell the people this parable. “[A] man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and then went on a journey for a long time.

New Revised Standard Version
He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, and leased it to tenants, and went to another country for a long time.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he began to say this parable to the people, A man planted a vineyard, and leased it to laborers, and went on a journey for a long time.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he began to tell the people this parable: “A certain man planted a vineyard and handed it over to laborers and he went abroad for a long time.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he began to speak this parable to the people: A man planted a vineyard, and let it out to vine-dressers, and was absent from home for a long time.

Godbey New Testament
And He began to speak to the people this parable, A man planted a vineyard and gave it out to husbandmen, and went away a long time.

Haweis New Testament
Then he began to speak to the people this parable: A certain man planted a vineyard, and delivered it to husbandmen, and went abroad for a long while.

Mace New Testament
Then he propos'd this parable to the people, a man planted a vineyard, let it out to husbandmen, and then went a travelling for some time.

Weymouth New Testament
Then He proceeded to speak a parable to the people. "There was a man," He said, "who planted a vineyard, let it out to vine-dressers, and went abroad for a considerable time.

Worrell New Testament
And He began to speak to the people this parable: "A man planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen, and went abroad for a long time.

Worsley New Testament
Then He began to speak unto the people this parable, A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen and travelled abroad for a considerable time,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
8And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” 9Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time. 10At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed.…

Cross References
Matthew 21:33-46
Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. / When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit. / But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. ...

Mark 12:1-12
Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a wine vat, and built a watchtower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. / At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. / But they seized the servant, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. ...

Isaiah 5:1-7
I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. ...

Psalm 80:8-16
You uprooted a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and transplanted it. / You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. / The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches. ...

Jeremiah 7:25-26
From the day your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent you all My servants the prophets again and again. / Yet they would not listen to Me or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and did more evil than their fathers.

Jeremiah 25:4-7
And the LORD has sent all His servants the prophets to you again and again, but you have not listened or inclined your ear to hear. / The prophets told you, ‘Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and deeds, and you can dwell in the land that the LORD has given to you and your fathers forever and ever. / Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands. Then I will do you no harm.’ ...

2 Chronicles 36:15-16
Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. / But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.

Hebrews 1:1-2
On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. / But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.

Acts 7:52
Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—

Romans 11:17-21
Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, / do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. / You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” ...

John 15:1-8
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. / He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. / You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ...

Hosea 9:10
I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fathers as the firstfruits of the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to Shame; so they became as detestable as the thing they loved.

Ezekiel 19:10-14
Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard, planted by the water; it was fruitful and full of branches because of the abundant waters. / It had strong branches, fit for a ruler’s scepter. It towered high above the thick branches, conspicuous for its height and for its dense foliage. / But it was uprooted in fury, cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong branches were stripped off and they withered; the fire consumed them. ...

1 Kings 21:1-16
Some time after these events, Naboth the Jezreelite owned a vineyard in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. / So Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to use as a vegetable garden, since it is next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place—or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.” / But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” ...

Nehemiah 9:26
But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies.


Treasury of Scripture

Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to farmers, and went into a far country for a long time.

this.

Matthew 21:33
Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:

Mark 12:1
And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.

planted.

Psalm 80:8-14
Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it…

Isaiah 5:1-7
Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: …

Jeremiah 2:21
Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?

and let.

Song of Solomon 8:11,12
Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver…

husbandman.

Deuteronomy 1:15-18
So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes…

Deuteronomy 16:18
Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

Deuteronomy 17:8-15
If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; …

went.

Luke 19:12
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

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Abroad Considerable Country Far Farmers Field-Workers Forth Husbandmen Journey Parable Planted Proceeded Rented Simile Speak Story Tenants Time Use Vine-Dressers Vine-Garden Vine-Growers Vineyard
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Abroad Considerable Country Far Farmers Field-Workers Forth Husbandmen Journey Parable Planted Proceeded Rented Simile Speak Story Tenants Time Use Vine-Dressers Vine-Garden Vine-Growers Vineyard
Luke 20
1. Jesus confirms his authority by a question of John's baptism.
9. The parable of the vineyard.
19. Of giving tribute to Caesar.
27. He instructs the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection.
41. How Jesus is the Son of David.
45. He warns his disciples to beware of the scribes.














Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable:
Jesus often used parables as a teaching method to convey deep spiritual truths in a relatable way. Parables were a common teaching tool in Jewish culture, allowing listeners to engage with the story and uncover its meaning. This particular parable is directed at the people, including religious leaders, to illustrate a spiritual lesson about God's kingdom and the responsibilities of those entrusted with it.

A man planted a vineyard:
The vineyard is a common biblical metaphor for Israel, as seen in Isaiah 5:1-7, where God is depicted as the owner of a vineyard representing His people. The act of planting signifies God's establishment of Israel as His chosen nation, intended to bear fruit for His glory. The imagery of a vineyard also suggests care, investment, and expectation of a harvest.

Rented it out to some tenants:
The tenants symbolize the religious leaders of Israel, who were entrusted with the spiritual care and leadership of God's people. Renting out the vineyard indicates a delegation of responsibility, where the tenants are expected to manage the vineyard and produce fruit. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where the leaders are accountable for guiding the nation in faithfulness to God.

And went away for a long time:
The owner's departure represents God's patience and long-suffering with Israel. The "long time" suggests a period of testing and opportunity for the tenants to prove their faithfulness. It also alludes to the history of Israel, where God sent prophets over many generations to call His people back to righteousness, often met with resistance and rejection. This phrase sets the stage for the unfolding drama of the tenants' response to the owner's expectations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Man
Represents God, the owner of the vineyard, who entrusts His creation to humanity.

2. The Vineyard
Symbolizes Israel, God's chosen people, and by extension, the Kingdom of God.

3. The Tenants
Represent the religious leaders of Israel who were entrusted with the care of God's people.

4. The Parable
A teaching method used by Jesus to convey spiritual truths through everyday accounts.

5. The People
The audience to whom Jesus was speaking, including His disciples and the religious leaders.
Teaching Points
Stewardship and Responsibility
God entrusts us with His creation and expects us to be faithful stewards. We must evaluate how we are managing the resources and responsibilities He has given us.

Accountability
Just as the tenants were accountable to the owner, we are accountable to God for our actions. Reflect on how we respond to God's call and correction in our lives.

Rejection of God's Messengers
The tenants' rejection of the owner's servants parallels the rejection of prophets and ultimately Jesus. Consider how we respond to God's Word and His messengers today.

God's Patience and Justice
The owner’s patience with the tenants reflects God's long-suffering nature, but His eventual judgment underscores the certainty of divine justice.

The Kingdom of God
The parable highlights the transfer of the Kingdom to those who produce its fruits. We are called to bear fruit in keeping with repentance and faith.(9-19) Then began he to speak to the people.--See Notes on Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12. The presence of this, as well as of the last section, in the first three Gospels, with so little variation, indicates the impression which these facts and teaching made at the time, and probably also that they occupied a prominent place in the early records that served as the basis of our present Gospels.

A certain man planted a vineyard.--The absence of the fuller detail in St. Matthew and St. Mark shows that St. Luke's report was not derived from them, but probably from a version, orally repeated, of that which they reported more fully. On the other hand, the addition of "for a long time" is peculiar to St. Luke, and reminds us of the like phrase in Matthew 25:19.

Verses 9-19. - Parable of the wicked husbandmen in the vineyard, and the simile of the corner-stone. Verse 9. - A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen. Under a very thin parabolic veil, Jesus foretells the awful tragedy of the next few days. He adopts a well-known imagery, and seems to say, "Listen to Isaiah's well-known story of the vineyard, the vineyard of the Lord of hosts, which is the house of Israel. I will expand it a little, that I may show you how it stands with you as regards this matter of 'authority,' that we may see whether you have as much respect for the ascertained will of God as ye pretend, so that ye should be sure to submit to me if only ye were satisfied that I was an accredited Messenger of God" (Professor Bruce). For a long time. Representing the nearly two thousand years of Jewish history.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

He proceeded
Ἤρξατο (Ērxato)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 756: To begin. Middle voice of archo; to commence.

to tell
λέγειν (legein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

people
λαὸν (laon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2992: Apparently a primary word; a people.

this
ταύτην (tautēn)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

parable:
παραβολὴν (parabolēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3850: From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.

“A
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

man
Ἄνθρωπος (Anthrōpos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

planted
ἐφύτευσεν (ephyteusen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5452: To plant, set. From a derivative of phuo; to set out in the earth, i.e. Implant; figuratively, to instil doctrine.

a vineyard,
ἀμπελῶνα (ampelōna)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 290: A vineyard. From ampelos; a vineyard.

rented
ἐξέδετο (exedeto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1554: To give out, let; middle: I let out for my own advantage. From ek and didomi; to give forth, i.e. to lease.

it {out}
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

to [some] tenants,
γεωργοῖς (geōrgois)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1092: From ge and the base of ergon; a land-worker, i.e. Farmer.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

went away
ἀπεδήμησεν (apedēmēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 589: To be away from home, go into another country, be away, be abroad. From apodemos; to go abroad, i.e. Visit a foreign land.

for a long
ἱκανούς (hikanous)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2425: From hiko; competent, i.e. Ample or fit.

time.
χρόνους (chronous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5550: A space of time or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay.


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NT Gospels: Luke 20:9 He began to tell the people this (Luke Lu Lk)
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