Luke 20:12

KJV

And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast [him] out.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} again {G4369} he sent {G3992} a third {G5154}: and {G1161} they wounded {G5135} him {G5126} also {G2532}, and cast him out {G1544}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He sent yet a third; this one they wounded and threw out.

Berean Standard Bible

Then he sent a third, but they wounded him and threw him out.

American Standard Version

And he sent yet a third: and him also they wounded, and cast him forth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 20:12 is a crucial verse within Jesus' Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, illustrating the escalating rejection faced by the vineyard owner's messengers. Following the ill-treatment of two previous servants, this verse describes the third messenger being severely wounded and forcibly expelled by the rebellious tenants. This act of violence and expulsion underscores the vinedressers' hardened hearts and their persistent refusal to acknowledge the owner's authority or render the expected produce, setting the stage for the ultimate rejection of the owner's beloved son.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 20:12 is an integral part of the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, which Jesus delivers in the Temple courts to a hostile audience of chief priests, scribes, and elders, as noted in [Luke 20:1-8](/luke/20-1-8 "Luke 20:1-8 - Jesus' Authority Questioned"). This parable immediately follows a confrontation where these religious leaders questioned Jesus' authority. The narrative flow of the parable itself depicts a series of escalating rejections by the tenants: the first servant is beaten and sent away empty-handed ([Luke 20:10](/luke/20-10 "Luke 20:10 - The First Servant Rejected")), the second is beaten and shamefully treated ([Luke 20:11](/luke/20-11 "Luke 20:11 - The Second Servant Rejected")), and then the third is wounded and cast out. This progressive violence builds dramatic tension, highlighting the tenants' deep-seated rebellion and foreshadowing the ultimate act of defiance against the owner's son in [Luke 20:13](/luke/20-13 "Luke 20:13 - The Owner Sends His Son"). The parable serves as a direct indictment of the religious leaders' historical and impending rejection of God's messengers, culminating in their rejection of Jesus Himself.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The parable draws heavily on the agricultural practices and social structures of ancient Israel. Vineyards were common, and it was customary for landowners to lease their land to tenants, expecting a share of the produce as rent. The imagery of a vineyard was deeply symbolic for Israel, frequently used by prophets like Isaiah to represent God's chosen people ([Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard")). The "owner" represents God, the "vineyard" is Israel, and the "vinedressers" are the religious leaders entrusted with its care. The "servants" sent by the owner symbolize the prophets whom God had repeatedly sent throughout Israel's history to call His people to repentance and faithfulness. The historical record, often recounted in the Old Testament, shows a consistent pattern of Israel's leaders and people rejecting, persecuting, and even killing these divine messengers, a pattern Jesus laments in [Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem"). The Temple setting for this discourse adds a layer of irony, as the very leaders responsible for God's "vineyard" were now confronting God's ultimate messenger.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader parable, contributes to several significant themes. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Patience and Persistent Grace**. Despite repeated rejections and violence, the owner continues to send messengers, demonstrating God's enduring longsuffering and His desire for His people to bear fruit and return to Him. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Escalating Rebellion and Hardness of Heart**. The progressively worse treatment of each servant—from beating to shameful handling to wounding and expulsion—reveals the increasing depravity and entrenched opposition of the vinedressers, mirroring Israel's historical trajectory of rebellion against God's overtures. Thirdly, the verse functions as a profound **Prophetic Foreshadowing of Christ's Suffering**. The fate of the third servant, wounded and cast out, directly prefigures Jesus' own impending rejection, physical suffering, and execution outside the city gates, as later described in [Hebrews 13:12](/hebrews/13-12 "Hebrews 13:12 - Christ Suffered Outside the Gate"). Finally, it reinforces the broader theme of the **Rejection of God's Messengers**, a recurring motif throughout biblical history where those entrusted with God's truth often resisted His call and persecuted those who spoke on His behalf.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **again (Greek, _prostíthēmi'_):** This word, G4369, means "to place additionally," "lay beside," or "repeat." In this context, it emphasizes the owner's persistent and repeated attempts to collect his due. It signifies that this is not an isolated incident but a continuation of his efforts, highlighting his immense patience and the vinedressers' stubborn refusal across multiple opportunities. The owner "added" another messenger to his previous attempts.
* **wounded (Greek, _traumatízō'_):** Derived from _trauma_ (G5135), this word means "to inflict a wound." It denotes a significant physical injury, far beyond a mere beating. The use of this term indicates a heightened level of violence and malicious intent on the part of the vinedressers, signifying a more severe and potentially life-threatening assault compared to the treatment of the previous servants. This word underscores the escalating brutality.
* **cast [him] out (Greek, _ekbállō'_):** This verb (G1544) means "to eject," "cast forth," or "expel." It implies a forceful and definitive expulsion, not merely sending someone away. The act of "casting out" signifies a complete rejection and removal from the vineyard, denying the messenger any right or presence there. This action further emphasizes the vinedressers' usurpation of authority and their defiance of the owner's rightful claim.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And again he sent a third:"** This clause highlights the owner's remarkable patience and persistent efforts. Having sent two servants previously, each met with violence, the owner "adds" a third attempt. The word "third" emphasizes the sequence and the repeated nature of the owner's overtures, giving the tenants ample opportunity to respond rightly. It underscores the owner's unwavering hope for a just outcome, despite prior disappointments.
* **"and they wounded him also,"** This phrase reveals a significant escalation in the tenants' violence. Unlike the previous servants who were beaten or shamefully handled, this third servant is "wounded," indicating a more severe physical assault, perhaps to the point of incapacitation or near-death. The word "also" connects this act of violence to the previous ones, showing a pattern of abuse, but with increased intensity. It demonstrates the tenants' growing audacity and cruelty.
* **"and cast [him] out."** This final action signifies a complete and forceful rejection. The servant is not merely sent away but "cast out," implying a violent expulsion from the vineyard. This act underlines the tenants' utter defiance of the owner's authority and their determination to seize control of the vineyard for themselves, refusing to acknowledge any rightful claim other than their own. It is a decisive act of rebellion.

#### Literary Devices
The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, and this verse within it, is a powerful **Allegory**. Each element of the story clearly represents a deeper spiritual reality: the owner is God, the vineyard is Israel, the vinedressers are the religious leaders, and the servants are the prophets. The escalating violence against the servants, particularly the wounding and expulsion of the third, serves as a poignant **Foreshadowing** of Jesus' own suffering and eventual crucifixion outside Jerusalem. The narrative employs **Escalation** as a key device, where the severity of the tenants' actions progressively worsens with each messenger, building dramatic tension and emphasizing their increasing hardness of heart and rebellion. The repeated sending of messengers, despite their violent reception, also highlights the owner's unwavering **Patience**, contrasting sharply with the tenants' escalating depravity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 20:12 profoundly illustrates the persistent grace of God in the face of human rebellion. The repeated sending of messengers, despite their brutal treatment, underscores God's unwavering desire for His people to turn to Him and bear the fruit of righteousness. However, it also highlights the tragic reality of humanity's stubborn resistance to divine overtures, particularly from those entrusted with spiritual authority. This escalating rejection culminates in a profound act of injustice, foreshadowing the ultimate rejection of God's Son. The parable's underlying message is one of divine patience reaching its limit, leading inevitably to a just judgment upon those who reject His messengers and usurp His authority.

* [Matthew 21:33-46](/matthew/21-33-46 "Matthew 21:33-46 - The Parable of the Wicked Tenants")
* [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard")
* [Jeremiah 7:25-26](/jeremiah/7-25-26 "Jeremiah 7:25-26 - God Sent Prophets Daily")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The treatment of the third servant in Luke 20:12 serves as a stark mirror for self-examination. It compels us to consider our own responsiveness to God's persistent calls and the messengers He sends into our lives, whether through His Word, His Spirit, or His people. Are we receptive to correction and guidance, or do we exhibit a hardened heart, resisting truth that challenges our comfort or perceived autonomy? This verse reminds us of our spiritual accountability; we are stewards of God's grace and truth, and He expects fruit from our lives. Furthermore, it prepares us for the reality that faithfulness to God, especially when speaking His truth, may involve rejection, suffering, or even persecution from a world hostile to His kingdom, just as the servants and ultimately the Son experienced. God's patience is immense, but it is not infinite; there is a time when opportunities for repentance cease, and judgment follows. Therefore, this verse is a call to immediate and humble obedience, lest we, like the wicked vinedressers, squander the precious opportunities God extends to us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be resisting God's persistent calls or the truth He is trying to convey to me?**
* **How does the escalating violence of the vinedressers challenge my own response to difficult truths or inconvenient commands from God?**
* **What "fruit" is God expecting from my life, and how am I stewarding the resources and opportunities He has entrusted to me?**
* **How does understanding God's immense patience, as shown in this verse, inspire me to respond to His grace today?**

### FAQ

**Why did the owner keep sending servants even after they were mistreated?**

Answer: The owner's repeated sending of servants, even after they were mistreated, underscores his profound patience and persistent hope for a righteous outcome. The parable illustrates God's longsuffering with Israel, continually sending prophets and messengers despite their rejection and persecution. This divine patience reflects God's desire for His people to repent and bear the spiritual fruit He expects, offering multiple opportunities for them to turn back before ultimate judgment. It also highlights the tenants' increasing culpability with each act of defiance.

**What does "cast him out" signify in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "cast him out" (Greek: _ekbállō_) signifies a forceful and complete expulsion. In the context of the parable, it means the tenants not only wounded the servant but also violently removed him from the vineyard, denying him any right to be there or to represent the owner. This act emphasizes their complete usurpation of authority and their determination to claim the vineyard as their own, rejecting the owner's dominion entirely. It also foreshadows Jesus' own rejection and crucifixion outside the city gates, as noted in [Hebrews 13:12](/hebrews/13-12 "Christ Suffered Outside the Gate").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 20:12, with its depiction of the wounded and expelled third servant, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The parable, spoken by Jesus himself, is a thinly veiled prophecy of His own impending suffering and death at the hands of those very religious leaders who were listening. Just as the owner's patience was met with escalating violence against his messengers, God's ultimate messenger, His beloved Son, would face the most severe rejection. Jesus, the true "third" and final messenger, was indeed "wounded" through scourging and crucifixion, and "cast out" of Jerusalem to suffer and die outside its walls, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - He Was Wounded for Our Transgressions") and fulfilled in [John 19:17](/john/19-17 "John 19:17 - Jesus Carries His Cross"). However, unlike the servant, Jesus' expulsion was not the end. The parable culminates with the owner's son being rejected by the builders but becoming the "head of the corner" ([Luke 20:17](/luke/20-17 "Luke 20:17 - The Stone the Builders Rejected")), powerfully affirming Christ's resurrection and His ultimate vindication and exaltation as the cornerstone of God's new spiritual temple ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ Jesus Himself Being the Cornerstone")). Thus, the suffering of the third servant foreshadows the redemptive suffering of the Son of God, whose rejection by humanity paradoxically became the means of salvation for all who believe ([Acts 4:11-12](/acts/4-11-12 "Acts 4:11-12 - Jesus is the Cornerstone")).

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.