Luke 20:9

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} began he {G756} to speak {G3004} to {G4314} the people {G2992} this {G5026} parable {G3850}; A certain {G5100} man {G444} planted {G5452} a vineyard {G290}, and {G2532} let {G1554} it {G846} forth {G1554} to husbandmen {G1092}, and {G2532} went into a far country {G589} for a long {G2425} time {G5550}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Next Yeshua told the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to tenant-farmers and went away for a long time.

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.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 20:9 introduces the profound Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, a narrative delivered by Jesus to the people, yet pointedly aimed at the religious leaders of His day. This verse sets the stage by describing a landowner who meticulously plants a vineyard, entrusts its care to husbandmen, and then departs for a significant period, establishing the foundational elements of the allegory concerning God's relationship with Israel and its leadership.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This parable immediately follows a direct challenge to Jesus' authority by the chief priests, scribes, and elders in [Luke 20:1-8](/luke/20-1-8 "Luke 20:1-8 - Challenge to Jesus' Authority"). Instead of answering their question directly, Jesus responds with this allegorical story, which subtly yet powerfully addresses their spiritual blindness, their rejection of God's previous messengers (the prophets), and their impending rejection of His ultimate messenger—Himself. The parable thus serves as both a defense of His authority and a prophetic warning to those who opposed Him. Parallel accounts are found in [Matthew 21:33-46](/matthew/21-33-46 "Matthew 21:33-46 - The Parable of the Wicked Tenants") and [Mark 12:1-12](/mark/12-1-12 "Mark 12:1-12 - The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers"), underscoring its critical importance in the Synoptic Gospels' portrayal of Jesus' final teachings in Jerusalem.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Vineyards were a common and vital part of ancient Israel's agricultural economy and cultural landscape. The imagery of a vineyard was deeply ingrained in the Jewish consciousness, frequently used in the Old Testament as a **symbol of Israel** itself (e.g., [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard"); [Psalm 80:8-16](/psalms/80-8-16 "Psalm 80:8-16 - God's Vineyard, Israel")). Landowners often leased out their vineyards to tenants (husbandmen) who would cultivate the land and pay a portion of the produce as rent. It was customary for the owner to travel, sometimes for extended periods, leaving the management to the tenants. This practice provides a realistic backdrop for Jesus' parable, making it immediately relatable to His audience while simultaneously layering it with profound theological meaning.

* **Key Themes:** This opening verse introduces several crucial themes that are developed throughout the parable. The primary theme is **God's Ownership and Provision**, represented by the "certain man" who plants and owns the vineyard. This highlights that God is the sovereign Lord over His people and His creation, generously providing all that is needed for fruitfulness, as seen in [Psalm 24:1](/psalms/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's"). Another key theme is **Stewardship and Accountability**, embodied by the "husbandmen" who are entrusted with the vineyard's care. These figures represent the religious leaders of Israel who were given the responsibility to guide and nurture God's people, and who would ultimately be held accountable for their faithfulness, a concept echoed in [1 Corinthians 4:2](/1_corinthians/4-2 "1 Corinthians 4:2 - Faithfulness in Stewardship"). Finally, the owner's departure "for a long time" subtly introduces the theme of **Divine Patience and Long-suffering**, indicating God's forbearance with His people and their leaders throughout history, providing ample opportunity for repentance and fruit-bearing, as illustrated in [2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord's Patience").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **parable (Greek, _parabolḗ'_):** From G3850, meaning "a similitude ('parable'), i.e. (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage." Jesus' use of `parabolḗ` here signals that the following story is not a literal event but a symbolic narrative designed to convey a deeper spiritual truth, often challenging listeners to discern its allegorical meaning.
* **husbandmen (Greek, _geōrgós'_):** From G1092, meaning "a land-worker, i.e. farmer." The term `geōrgós` specifically denotes those who are responsible for tilling the ground and cultivating its produce. In this parable, these individuals are not just generic farmers but represent those entrusted with the care and spiritual oversight of God's "vineyard," Israel, highlighting their direct responsibility for its fruitfulness.
* **went into a far country (Greek, _apodēméō'_):** From G589, meaning "to go abroad, i.e. visit a foreign land." This verb describes the owner's departure, signifying a period of absence. In the allegorical sense, this represents God's perceived "absence" or patience, allowing human agents (the religious leaders) to exercise their stewardship and demonstrate their faithfulness over a significant period.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then began he to speak to the people this parable;":** This opening phrase indicates a shift in Jesus' teaching method, moving from direct discourse and answering questions to employing a narrative form. The phrase "to the people" suggests a broad audience, yet the subsequent content of the parable strongly implies a specific target: the religious leaders who had just challenged Him. The introduction of "this parable" immediately cues the listeners that a symbolic story with a hidden meaning is about to unfold.
* **"A certain man planted a vineyard,":** This clause introduces the central figure and setting of the parable. The "certain man" universally represents God, the divine Owner and Initiator. The act of "planting a vineyard" signifies God's deliberate and careful establishment of Israel as His chosen people, providing all necessary resources for their growth and fruitfulness, much like a meticulous gardener prepares a fertile plot.
* **"and let it forth to husbandmen,":** This describes the delegation of responsibility. The vineyard is not abandoned but entrusted to "husbandmen," who are given the authority and duty to cultivate it. This represents God's entrusting of His people, Israel, to the care and leadership of its religious authorities (priests, scribes, elders), who were expected to manage the spiritual life of the nation and produce righteous fruit.
* **"and went into a far country for a long time.":** This final clause details the owner's departure and the duration of his absence. His journey "into a far country" symbolizes God's patience and His allowing a period during which the delegated authorities are to exercise their stewardship. The phrase "for a long time" emphasizes the extended period of divine forbearance, during which the husbandmen were given ample opportunity to fulfill their obligations before the owner's return for an accounting.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 20:9, as the introduction to the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, primarily employs **Allegory** and **Symbolism**. The entire narrative functions as an **Allegory**, where each element of the story (the owner, the vineyard, the husbandmen, the far country, the long time) directly corresponds to a specific spiritual reality. The **Symbolism** is rich: the "certain man" symbolizes God; the "vineyard" symbolizes Israel, God's chosen people; and the "husbandmen" symbolize the religious leaders of Israel. The act of "planting" symbolizes God's careful establishment and provision for His people, while the owner going "into a far country for a long time" symbolizes God's patience and the period of His perceived "absence" during which the leaders are to exercise their stewardship. This layered use of symbolism within the allegorical framework allows Jesus to convey a profound and convicting message in a way that was both culturally relevant and prophetically charged.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 20:9 lays the groundwork for one of Jesus' most significant parables, deeply rooted in Old Testament imagery and prophetic tradition. The "vineyard" motif, in particular, resonates with Isaiah's "Song of the Vineyard" ([Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "The Song of the Vineyard")), where Israel is depicted as God's vineyard, expected to yield good fruit but instead producing wild grapes. This verse immediately establishes God's sovereign ownership and generous provision, contrasted with the delegated stewardship of human leaders. The parable, introduced here, serves as a powerful indictment of the unfaithful leadership of Israel, who, instead of nurturing God's people and yielding fruit for Him, would ultimately reject and even kill His messengers, including His own Son. It underscores the profound responsibility of those entrusted with spiritual authority and the severe consequences of failing to meet divine expectations.

* [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "The Song of the Vineyard")
* [Psalm 80:8-16](/psalms/80-8-16 "God's Vineyard, Israel")
* [Matthew 21:33-46](/matthew/21-33-46 "The Parable of the Wicked Tenants")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This foundational verse of the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers offers timeless lessons on stewardship, accountability, and divine expectation. While initially aimed at the unfaithful religious leaders of Jesus' day, its principles extend to all believers. We are all, in various capacities, "husbandmen" entrusted with God's "vineyard"—whether it be our spiritual gifts, resources, relationships, or the Gospel message itself. The "certain man" who plants and then departs reminds us that God has generously provided for us and then given us the responsibility to cultivate and produce spiritual fruit in His absence. The "long time" signifies God's patience, but it also implies an eventual return and an accounting. This prompts us to examine our own lives: Are we faithfully stewarding what God has entrusted to us? Are we producing the fruit of righteousness, love, and service, or are we neglecting our duties, or worse, actively resisting God's purposes? This verse calls us to a deeper commitment to faithful stewardship, recognizing that our actions have eternal consequences and that one day we will give an account to the true Owner of the vineyard.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I see myself as a "husbandman" entrusted with God's "vineyard" in my own life or community?**
* **What "fruit" is God expecting from me in the areas He has entrusted to my care?**
* **How does the owner's "long time" away encourage or challenge my understanding of God's patience and eventual return?**
* **What specific actions can I take today to be a more faithful steward of God's gifts and opportunities?**

### FAQ
**What is the main purpose of Jesus telling this parable at this specific time?**

Answer: Jesus tells this parable immediately after the chief priests, scribes, and elders challenged His authority ([Luke 20:1-8](/luke/20-1-8 "Luke 20:1-8 - Challenge to Jesus' Authority")). Its main purpose is twofold: first, to subtly but powerfully condemn the unfaithful leadership of Israel, who had consistently rejected God's messengers (the prophets) and were about to reject His ultimate messenger, Jesus Himself. Second, it serves as a prophetic warning of the judgment that would come upon them and the transfer of the "kingdom" to others who would produce its fruit ([Matthew 21:43](/matthew/21-43 "Matthew 21:43 - The Kingdom Taken Away")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 20:9, as the introduction to the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself being the "beloved son" whom the owner sends last, only to be rejected and killed by the wicked husbandmen ([Luke 20:13-15](/luke/20-13-15 "Luke 20:13-15 - The Son is Killed")). The "certain man" who plants the vineyard is God the Father, and the vineyard is Israel, cultivated and cared for by God. The "husbandmen" represent the religious leaders who, throughout history, consistently rejected God's prophets (the previous servants sent by the owner). Jesus, as the Son, is God's final and supreme messenger, embodying the culmination of God's redemptive plan. His rejection and crucifixion, foreshadowed in this parable, become the very means by which God establishes a new covenant and a new "vineyard"—the Church—which will indeed bear the fruit of the kingdom. Thus, this parable not only condemns the unfaithfulness of past leadership but also powerfully prophesies the atoning work of Christ, whose death, though intended for evil by His enemies, was God's sovereign plan for the salvation of humanity ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Foreknowledge and Plan")). The "cornerstone" rejected by the builders ([Luke 20:17](/luke/20-17 "Luke 20:17 - The Stone the Builders Rejected")) is Christ, who becomes the foundation of God's new spiritual house, fulfilling the prophetic trajectory of this pivotal parable.

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

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:

Matthew 21:46

But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

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.

Mark 12:12

And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

Isaiah 5:1

¶ 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:

Isaiah 5:7

For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts [is] the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

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?