Luke 20:11

KJV

And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated [him] shamefully, and sent [him] away empty.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} again {G4369} he sent {G3992} another {G2087} servant {G1401}: and {G1161} they beat {G1194} him also {G2548}, and {G2532} entreated him shamefully {G818}, and sent him away {G1821} empty {G2756}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He sent another servant; they beat him too, insulted him and sent him away empty-handed.

Berean Standard Bible

So he sent another servant, but they beat him and treated him shamefully, sending him away empty-handed.

American Standard Version

And he sent yet another servant: and him also they beat, and handled him shamefully, and sent him away empty.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 20:11 continues the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, illustrating the vineyard owner's persistent patience and the escalating rebellion of the tenants. Following the mistreatment of the first messenger, the owner sends a second servant, who is not only physically assaulted but also subjected to profound humiliation and sent away without any of the vineyard's produce, symbolizing the repeated rejection and abuse of God's prophets by Israel's religious leaders throughout history. This verse underscores the deepening hostility of the vinedressers and the owner's continued, yet ultimately unheeded, attempts to secure his rightful share.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus's [Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers](/luke/20-9-19 "Luke 20:9-19 - The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers"), which immediately follows a confrontation where the chief priests, scribes, and elders challenge Jesus's authority ([Luke 20:1-8](/luke/20-1-8 "Luke 20:1-8 - Jesus' Authority Questioned")). The parable serves as Jesus's direct, allegorical response, exposing the spiritual blindness and rebellious nature of these religious leaders. Luke 20:11 specifically details the second instance of the vinedressers' rejection, building upon the treatment of the first servant in [Luke 20:10](/luke/20-10 "Luke 20:10 - The First Servant's Rejection") and setting the stage for the climactic sending of the owner's beloved son in [Luke 20:13](/luke/20-13 "Luke 20:13 - The Sending of the Son"). The escalating violence and contempt foreshadow the ultimate rejection of Jesus Himself.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Parables were a common teaching method in first-century Judaism, often drawing on familiar agricultural practices. Vineyards were a significant part of the Judean economy and a potent biblical symbol for Israel (e.g., [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard")). The practice of absentee landlords leasing out vineyards to tenants was also common. The owner's repeated sending of servants reflects God's consistent dispatch of prophets to Israel throughout its history, calling the people and their leaders to repentance and faithfulness. The hostile reception of these servants mirrors the historical persecution of prophets, a recurring theme in the Old Testament (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:25-26](/jeremiah/7-25-26 "Jeremiah 7:25-26 - Disobedience to the Prophets") and [Nehemiah 9:26](/nehemiah/9-26 "Nehemiah 9:26 - Rejection of God's Prophets")).
* **Key Themes:** Luke 20:11 contributes significantly to several key themes within the parable and the broader Gospel of Luke. Firstly, it highlights the **persistent rejection of God's messengers**, a pattern evident throughout Israel's history, culminating in the rejection of Jesus. Secondly, it emphasizes the **escalating hostility and rebellion** of those entrusted with God's vineyard, demonstrating their increasing defiance against divine authority. Thirdly, the owner's continued sending of servants, despite their ill-treatment, underscores **God's immense patience and longsuffering** before judgment, offering repeated opportunities for repentance. Finally, the phrase "sent him away empty" signifies the **failure to produce spiritual fruit** and the refusal to render to God what is due, a central concern in Jesus's teachings about the kingdom (e.g., [Luke 13:6-9](/luke/13-6-9 "Luke 13:6-9 - The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **servant (Greek, _doûlos'_):** From G1401, meaning "a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)." In this context, the "servant" represents a prophet or messenger sent by God, highlighting their complete subservience and loyalty to the vineyard owner (God). Their status as "slaves" implies their absolute devotion and the owner's unquestionable authority.
* **beat (Greek, _dérō'_):** From G1194, meaning "properly, to flay, i.e. (by implication) to scourge, or (by analogy) to thrash." This word denotes severe physical abuse, indicating not just a minor altercation but a brutal assault. The use of this strong verb underscores the violence and cruelty inflicted upon God's messengers.
* **entreated him shamefully (Greek, _atimázō'_):** From G818, meaning "to render infamous, i.e. (by implication) contemn or maltreat." This goes beyond physical violence to encompass profound dishonor, contempt, and public humiliation. It signifies a deliberate act to degrade and strip away the dignity of the messenger, reflecting a deep-seated disrespect for the owner who sent him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And again he sent another servant:"** This clause emphasizes the owner's persistent patience and grace. Despite the failure and abuse of the first servant, the owner does not immediately resort to judgment but extends another opportunity for the tenants to fulfill their obligations. The phrase "another servant" signifies a new attempt, a fresh overture of reconciliation and expectation.
* **"and they beat him also,"** This indicates a repetition of the violence inflicted upon the first servant. The "also" highlights the consistent pattern of physical abuse, demonstrating the tenants' continued defiance and their unwillingness to change their behavior or acknowledge the owner's authority.
* **"and entreated [him] shamefully,"** This phrase marks an escalation in the tenants' hostility. Beyond mere physical assault, they subjected the servant to dishonor and public degradation. This act of "shameful treatment" reveals a deeper level of contempt and rebellion, aiming not just to injure the messenger but to insult the owner through his representative.
* **"and sent [him] away empty."** This concluding phrase signifies the complete failure of the mission and the tenants' utter refusal to yield any fruit or revenue to the owner. "Empty" implies that the servant returned without what was rightfully due to the owner, symbolizing the spiritual barrenness and unfaithfulness of the religious leaders who withheld the "fruit" of repentance and obedience from God.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 20:11 employs several significant **literary devices**. The primary device is **Allegory**, where the entire parable functions as an extended metaphor. The "owner" represents God, the "vineyard" is Israel, the "vinedressers" are the religious leaders, and the "servants" symbolize the prophets. This allegorical framework allows Jesus to convey profound theological truths about God's relationship with Israel and the leaders' accountability. The phrase "sent him away empty" functions as **Symbolism**, representing the spiritual barrenness and the failure of the religious leaders to produce the fruit of righteousness and obedience that God expected. Furthermore, there is a clear **Progression** in the narrative: from the beating of the first servant ([Luke 20:10](/luke/20-10 "Luke 20:10 - The First Servant's Treatment")) to the beating and shameful treatment of the second (Luke 20:11), and finally to the murder of the son ([Luke 20:15](/luke/20-15 "Luke 20:15 - The Murder of the Son")). This progression highlights the escalating rebellion and hardening of the vinedressers' hearts, building dramatic tension and foreshadowing the ultimate climax of the parable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 20:11 powerfully illustrates the tragic pattern of humanity's rebellion against God's gracious overtures. The repeated rejection and abuse of the servants, culminating in their being sent away "empty," underscores the deep-seated spiritual blindness and unfaithfulness of those entrusted with God's spiritual vineyard. This highlights a consistent theme in biblical history: God's persistent sending of His messengers to call His people to repentance, and their equally persistent rejection of these divine appeals. Despite the escalating defiance, God's patience is profoundly demonstrated in His continued efforts to reach His people, even in the face of such egregious disrespect and violence. This divine longsuffering, however, is not endless, setting the stage for the ultimate and final appeal through His Son.

* [Jeremiah 7:25-26](/jeremiah/7-25-26 "Jeremiah 7:25-26 - Disobedience to the Prophets")
* [Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus' Lament Over Jerusalem")
* [Hebrews 11:36-38](/hebrews/11-36-38 "Hebrews 11:36-38 - The Faith of Suffering Saints")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 20:11 serves as a profound mirror for our own hearts and a powerful warning against spiritual complacency and rebellion. Just as the vinedressers were entrusted with the care of the vineyard, believers today are entrusted with the stewardship of God's truth and the cultivation of spiritual fruit in their lives and communities. This verse challenges us to consider how we receive God's Word and His messengers. Do we welcome and honor those who speak truth, even when it's uncomfortable, or do we, like the vinedressers, reject or even shame them, thereby rejecting God Himself? The "empty" return of the servant is a stark reminder of the barrenness that results from disobedience and a failure to produce the fruit of righteousness, love, and faithfulness. It compels us to examine our lives: are we producing fruit for God's glory, or are we sending Him away "empty" through our neglect and disobedience? God's patience is immense, but it is not infinite; we are called to respond to His gracious overtures with humble obedience and genuine repentance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be tempted to "beat" or "shamefully entreat" God's messengers or His Word in my own life, perhaps by dismissing, ignoring, or twisting His truth?**
* **What "fruit" is God expecting from my life, and am I actively cultivating it, or am I at risk of sending Him away "empty"?**
* **How does understanding God's persistent patience in this verse encourage me, and how does it challenge me to respond more faithfully to His calls?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the servant being "sent away empty"?**

Answer: The servant being "sent away empty" signifies two key things. First, it means the vinedressers refused to give the owner his rightful share of the vineyard's produce, demonstrating their complete defiance and theft. Spiritually, this represents the failure of Israel's religious leaders to produce the "fruit" of righteousness, obedience, and faithfulness that God expected from His people. It highlights their spiritual barrenness and their withholding of what was due to God, foreshadowing their ultimate rejection of His Son. This concept of spiritual fruit is important throughout the New Testament, as seen in passages like [Matthew 7:15-20](/matthew/7-15-20 "Matthew 7:15-20 - You Will Know Them by Their Fruits") and [Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 20:11, within the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The repeated sending of servants who are beaten and shamefully treated foreshadows the long history of God's prophets being rejected and persecuted by Israel's leaders, a pattern that culminates in the ultimate rejection of God's own Son. Jesus Himself is the "beloved son" of the vineyard owner, sent as the final and supreme messenger after all others had been abused and sent away "empty" ([Luke 20:13](/luke/20-13 "Luke 20:13 - The Sending of the Son")). The escalating violence against the servants—from beating to shameful treatment—directly prefigures the physical abuse, public humiliation, and ultimate crucifixion that Jesus would endure at the hands of those very religious leaders to whom He was speaking ([Luke 22:63-65](/luke/22-63-65 "Luke 22:63-65 - Jesus Mocked and Beaten") and [Luke 23:11](/luke/23-11 "Luke 23:11 - Herod Mocks Jesus")). The parable's climax, where the vinedressers cast the son out of the vineyard and kill him ([Luke 20:15](/luke/20-15 "Luke 20:15 - The Murder of the Son")), is a direct prophetic declaration of Jesus's death outside Jerusalem. Thus, Luke 20:11 is not merely a historical recounting but a powerful prophetic unveiling of the world's persistent rejection of God's messengers, culminating in the ultimate sacrifice of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose suffering and rejection ultimately paved the way for salvation.

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

Hosea 10:1

¶ Israel [is] an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.

1 Thessalonians 2:2

But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

Matthew 23:30

And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

Matthew 23:37

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!

Acts 7:52

Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

Hebrews 11:36

And others had trial of [cruel] mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

Hebrews 11:37

They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;