Luke 20:10

KJV

And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent [him] away empty.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} at {G1722} the season {G2540} he sent {G649} a servant {G1401} to {G4314} the husbandmen {G1092}, that {G2443} they should give {G1325} him {G846} of {G575} the fruit {G2590} of the vineyard {G290}: but {G1161} the husbandmen {G1092} beat {G1194} him {G846}, and sent him away {G1821} empty {G2756}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants to receive his share of the crop from the vineyard; but the tenants beat him up and sent him away empty-handed.

Berean Standard Bible

At 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.

American Standard Version

And at the season he sent unto the husbandmen a servant, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 20:10 initiates the escalating conflict within Jesus' Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen, detailing the vineyard owner's initial attempt to collect his rightful share of the harvest. It vividly portrays the husbandmen's violent and contemptuous response to the first servant sent, who, instead of receiving the expected fruit, is brutally beaten and sent away empty-handed, setting a grim precedent for the events that follow.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen, found in [Luke 20:9-19](/luke/20-9-19 "Luke 20:9-19 - The Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen"). Jesus tells this parable immediately after the chief priests and scribes challenge His authority ([Luke 20:1-8](/luke/20-1-8 "Luke 20:1-8 - Jesus' Authority Challenged")). The parable serves as a direct and scathing indictment of these religious leaders, who, like the husbandmen, were entrusted with God's people (the "vineyard") but repeatedly rejected His messengers (the "servants"). Luke 20:10 marks the first instance of the tenants' escalating defiance, foreshadowing their ultimate rejection of the owner's son in the subsequent verses. This narrative sequence highlights Jesus' confrontational teaching style and His direct challenge to the established religious order.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, vineyards were a common and valuable agricultural enterprise, often symbolizing the nation of Israel itself in prophetic literature (e.g., [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard")). Land tenancy agreements were typical, where tenants cultivated the land and paid rent, often in the form of a portion of the produce, at harvest time. The owner's sending of servants to collect this share was a standard and expected practice. The husbandmen's violent reaction, however, was a shocking breach of contract and a profound act of rebellion, reflecting the historical pattern of Israel's leaders rejecting and persecuting the prophets God sent to them throughout their history, as documented in the Old Testament.

* **Key Themes:** Luke 20:10 contributes significantly to several key themes within the parable and broader Lukan narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Ownership and Expectation**, asserting God's rightful claim over His people and His expectation of "fruit"—spiritual obedience, righteousness, and worship—from them. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates the recurring theme of the **Rejection of God's Messengers**, a pattern deeply embedded in Israel's history where prophets, sent by God, were often scorned, persecuted, or even killed by those they sought to call to repentance (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:25-26](/jeremiah/7-25-26 "Jeremiah 7:25-26 - God Sent Prophets Repeatedly") and [Nehemiah 9:26](/nehemiah/9-26 "Nehemiah 9:26 - Rejection of Prophets")). Finally, this verse marks the beginning of the **Escalating Rebellion** of the tenants, setting the stage for their ultimate, climactic act of defiance against the owner's son, which directly foreshadows the religious leaders' rejection and crucifixion of Jesus.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **husbandmen (Greek, _geōrgós'_):** From γῆ (earth) and the base of ἔργον (work), this term refers to a "land-worker" or "farmer." In the parable, it signifies those entrusted with the care and cultivation of the vineyard. This highlights their responsibility not as owners, but as stewards who were expected to produce and render a portion of the fruit to the rightful owner. Their failure to do so, and their subsequent violence, is a profound dereliction of this entrusted duty.
* **sent (Greek, _apostéllō'_):** Derived from ἀπό (from) and στέλλω (to set), meaning "to send out, properly, on a mission." The owner's act of sending a servant is a deliberate and purposeful action, signifying his legitimate claim and his patient attempt to receive what is due. The repeated sending of servants emphasizes the owner's persistence and long-suffering before resorting to more drastic measures.
* **beat (Greek, _dérō'_):** A primary verb meaning "to flay," and by implication, "to scourge" or "to thrash." This word conveys a severe physical assault, indicating a brutal and humiliating act of violence. The husbandmen's action is not merely a refusal but a malicious and unjust attack on the owner's representative, demonstrating their contempt for the owner's authority and rights.
* **empty (Greek, _kenós'_):** Apparently a primary word, meaning "empty" literally or figuratively. In this context, it describes the servant being sent away without any of the expected fruit. This signifies not only the failure of the husbandmen to fulfill their obligation but also their complete disregard for the owner's expectations, sending his messenger back with nothing, a clear act of defiance and disrespect.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen":** This clause establishes the owner's rightful expectation and timely action. "At the season" (G2540, _kairós_) indicates the appointed or proper time for the harvest and the collection of the owner's share. The owner, acting justly, dispatches a representative to receive what is due to him, initiating the interaction with the tenants.
* **"that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard":** This specifies the clear purpose of the servant's mission: to collect the "fruit" (G2590, _karpós_), which represents the expected produce or return from the vineyard. In the allegorical sense, this "fruit" symbolizes the spiritual obedience, righteousness, and worship that God expects from His people, whom He has cultivated and blessed.
* **"but the husbandmen beat him, and sent [him] away empty.":** This pivotal clause reveals the husbandmen's shocking and violent rebellion. The conjunction "but" (G1161, _dé_) highlights the stark contrast between the owner's reasonable expectation and the tenants' outrageous response. They not only refuse to give the fruit but physically assault the servant ("beat him") and dismiss him contemptuously ("sent him away empty"), demonstrating their utter defiance of the owner's authority and their desire to claim the vineyard as their own.

#### Literary Devices
The Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen is a profound **Allegory**, where each element represents a deeper spiritual reality: the vineyard is Israel, the owner is God, the husbandmen are the religious leaders, the servants are the prophets, and the fruit is the expected righteousness. This verse employs **Foreshadowing**, as the violent treatment of this first servant sets a grim precedent for the escalating abuse of subsequent messengers and, most significantly, the ultimate rejection and murder of the owner's son, which directly points to Jesus' own crucifixion. There is a stark **Contrast** between the owner's patience and rightful expectation and the husbandmen's escalating wickedness and unjustified violence. The "fruit" itself serves as **Symbolism**, representing the spiritual harvest of obedience and righteousness that God seeks from His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 20:10 profoundly illustrates God's persistent yet often-rejected pursuit of His people, and His unwavering expectation of spiritual fruit from those entrusted with His blessings. It highlights the historical pattern of human rebellion against divine authority, particularly among those in positions of spiritual leadership. The husbandmen's violent rejection of the servant mirrors Israel's consistent mistreatment of the prophets God sent throughout their history, revealing a deep-seated resistance to God's call for repentance and faithfulness. This act of defiance underscores the gravity of rejecting God's messengers and His rightful claims, setting the stage for the ultimate rejection of His Son.

* [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard")
* [Matthew 21:33-46](/matthew/21-33-46 "Matthew 21:33-46 - The Parable of the Tenants")
* [Acts 7:51-53](/acts/7-51-53 "Acts 7:51-53 - Stephen's Accusation of Rejecting Prophets")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a powerful reminder of our own stewardship under God's sovereign ownership. Just as the husbandmen were entrusted with the vineyard, believers today are entrusted with God's grace, His Word, His spiritual gifts, and His resources. We are called to be faithful stewards, producing spiritual fruit for God's glory, rather than claiming ownership or abusing His provisions for our own selfish gain. The husbandmen's resistance to God's messengers in the past can be paralleled with modern-day resistance to God's Word, the promptings of His Spirit, or the challenging truths conveyed by faithful preachers and teachers. We must be careful not to "beat" or reject the messages God sends, whether through His written Word, through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, or through the wise counsel of other believers. This verse compels us to examine our hearts: are we faithfully yielding the fruit God expects, or are we, in subtle or overt ways, resisting His claims and mistreating His messengers?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life am I called to bear "fruit" for God, and how faithfully am I doing so?**
* **How do I typically respond when God sends "messengers"—whether through His Word, conviction, or the counsel of others—that challenge my comfort zone or expose my sin?**
* **Am I treating God's blessings and resources as my own entitlement, or as something entrusted to me for His glory and purposes?**

### FAQ

**What does the "fruit of the vineyard" represent in this parable?**

Answer: In the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen, the "fruit of the vineyard" represents the spiritual obedience, righteousness, worship, and faithfulness that God expects from His people, Israel. The vineyard itself symbolizes Israel, whom God had carefully planted, cultivated, and blessed, expecting a return on His investment of care and covenant. The fruit, therefore, signifies the proper response of a people dedicated to God, living according to His commands and producing a harvest of good works and sincere devotion. The husbandmen's refusal to give the fruit symbolizes Israel's religious leaders' failure to lead the people in righteousness and their rejection of God's rightful claims.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 20:10, within the broader parable, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself. The series of servants sent by the owner culminates in the sending of his "beloved son" ([Luke 20:13](/luke/20-13 "Luke 20:13 - Sending the Son")), a clear prophetic reference to Jesus. Just as the first servant was beaten and sent away "empty," Jesus, the ultimate Messenger and Son of God, was rejected, physically abused, and ultimately "sent away empty" through His crucifixion by the very religious leaders who should have recognized and welcomed Him. His suffering and death on the cross, a direct consequence of this rejection, became the means by which God's ultimate harvest—salvation for all who believe—was secured. The cornerstone rejected by the builders ([Luke 20:17](/luke/20-17 "Luke 20:17 - The Stone the Builders Rejected")) becomes the head of the corner, signifying Jesus' resurrection and exaltation. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus not only fulfilled the pattern of the rejected prophets but also inaugurated a new covenant, transferring the "vineyard" (God's kingdom) to those who *will* produce fruit, the church, demonstrating that God's plan for a fruitful people would ultimately be realized through His Son's redemptive work ([John 15:1-8](/john/15-1-8 "John 15:1-8 - Jesus the True Vine")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Nehemiah 9:26

Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.

2 Chronicles 36:15

And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:

2 Chronicles 36:16

But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till [there was] no remedy.

Matthew 21:34

And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.

Matthew 21:36

Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.

Mark 12:2

And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.

Mark 12:5

And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.