Mark 12:2

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} at the season {G2540} he sent {G649} to {G4314} the husbandmen {G1092} a servant {G1401}, that {G2443} he might receive {G2983} from {G3844} the husbandmen {G1092} of {G575} the fruit {G2590} of the vineyard {G290}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When harvest-time came, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the crop from the vineyard.

Berean Standard Bible

At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 12:2 is a pivotal verse within Jesus' Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen, where the owner of a vineyard, after planting and preparing it, sends a servant to the tenant farmers at the appointed harvest season to collect his rightful share of the fruit. This act initiates a series of escalating rejections by the husbandmen, setting the stage for the parable's profound allegorical message about God's persistent outreach to Israel through His prophets and their consistent rejection of His messengers, culminating in the sending of His beloved Son.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 12:2 is the second verse of the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen (also known as the Parable of the Tenants), which spans [Mark 12:1-12](/mark/12-1-12 "Mark 12:1-12 - The Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen"). This parable is strategically placed immediately after the chief priests, scribes, and elders have publicly challenged Jesus' authority in [Mark 11:27-33](/mark/11-27-33 "Mark 11:27-33 - Jesus' Authority Challenged"). Jesus' response is not a direct answer to their question but a counter-challenge in the form of this parable, which clearly indicts the very religious leaders who questioned Him. Following the parable, the religious leaders understand that Jesus has spoken it against them ([Mark 12:12](/mark/12-12 "Mark 12:12 - The Leaders Understand the Parable")) and seek to arrest Him, further highlighting the escalating conflict between Jesus and the Jewish religious establishment. The parable thus serves as a powerful theological and prophetic statement about Israel's history of rejecting God's messengers and the impending judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The parable reflects the economic realities of first-century Judea, where absentee landlords were common. Wealthy landowners, often living in distant cities, would lease their agricultural land, particularly vineyards, to tenant farmers (husbandmen). These tenants were expected to cultivate the land and pay the owner a share of the harvest, typically a fixed portion of the produce. Vineyards were a significant agricultural enterprise and held deep symbolic meaning in Jewish tradition, frequently representing Israel (e.g., [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard") and [Psalm 80:8-19](/psalms/80-8-19 "Psalm 80:8-19 - The Vine from Egypt")). The sending of servants to collect the fruit at the appropriate "season" (harvest time) was a standard practice, but the subsequent mistreatment of these messengers in the parable would have been shocking and indicative of profound rebellion against the owner's rightful claims.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 12:2 introduces several critical themes that permeate the parable and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Ownership and Expectation**, as the vineyard owner (representing God) rightfully expects a return from his investment in the vineyard (Israel). This aligns with God's consistent expectation for His people to bear spiritual "fruit" of righteousness and obedience, as seen in [Matthew 7:16-20](/matthew/7-16-20 "Matthew 7:16-20 - By Their Fruits You Will Know Them"). Secondly, the sending of the servant "at the season" highlights **God's Persistent Grace and Patience**, demonstrating His repeated attempts to call His people to account and receive what is due to Him, mirroring His sending of prophets throughout Old Testament history (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:25](/jeremiah/7-25 "Jeremiah 7:25 - God Sent Prophets Early and Often")). Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Stewardship and Accountability**, as the husbandmen are tenants, not owners, entrusted with the vineyard's care, emphasizing that all people are stewards of God's blessings and resources and will be held accountable for their management.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **season (Greek, _kairós'_):** This word refers to a specific, opportune, or appointed time, rather than merely chronological time (_chronos_). In this context, it signifies the appropriate and expected time for the harvest, emphasizing the owner's rightful expectation of fruit at the proper moment. It implies a divinely appointed period for accountability and the fulfillment of purpose.
* **husbandmen (Greek, _geōrgós'_):** Literally "land-worker" or "farmer," this term denotes the tenant farmers who were entrusted with the cultivation and care of the vineyard. The use of this term highlights their responsibility to the owner and their role as stewards, not proprietors, of the vineyard. In the parable, they represent the religious leaders of Israel who were entrusted with the care of God's people.
* **servant (Greek, _doûlos'_):** This word signifies a slave or bond-man, indicating a person in a state of subjection or subservience. In the parable, the servant is a messenger sent by the owner to collect his due. This term emphasizes the authority of the one who sends and the subservience of the one sent. In the allegorical interpretation, these servants represent the prophets whom God sent to Israel throughout its history.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant,"**: This clause establishes the owner's proactive and timely action. "At the season" (Greek: _kairós_) underscores that this was the appropriate and expected time for the owner to receive his share of the harvest. The act of sending a "servant" (Greek: _doûlos_) signifies the owner's authority and his expectation of a rightful return from his investment. This initial sending is a test of the husbandmen's faithfulness and their recognition of the owner's sovereignty.
* **"that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard."**: This clause clearly states the purpose of the servant's mission: to collect the "fruit" (Greek: _karpós_) that is rightfully the owner's. The "fruit of the vineyard" metaphorically represents the spiritual obedience, righteousness, and worship that God expected from His chosen people, Israel, who were likened to a vineyard. The owner's expectation is just and legitimate, as the vineyard belongs to him, and the husbandmen are merely tenants.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Mark 12:2 and the broader parable is **Allegory**. While a **Parable** is a short, illustrative story, this particular narrative functions as an allegory because its elements have clear, consistent symbolic meanings beyond the literal story. The vineyard is **Symbolism** for Israel, the owner for God, the husbandmen for the Jewish religious leaders, the servants for the prophets, and the fruit for the spiritual obedience and righteousness God expects. The sending of the servant also serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the subsequent, more severe actions of the husbandmen and ultimately, the sending of the owner's beloved son, which directly foreshadows the sending of Jesus himself. The escalating nature of the owner's actions (sending multiple servants, then his son) also employs **Climax**, building tension towards the ultimate rejection.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 12:2 encapsulates God's enduring relationship with humanity, particularly His covenant people, Israel. It portrays God as the sovereign owner who has invested deeply in His "vineyard" and rightfully expects a return of spiritual fruit. The sending of the servant at the "season" highlights God's patience and His consistent initiative in reaching out to His people through various messengers throughout history, calling them to repentance and obedience. This divine pattern of sending and expecting a response is a recurring theme in biblical theology, emphasizing both God's justice in demanding what is His due and His grace in repeatedly offering opportunities for His people to respond faithfully. The husbandmen's subsequent actions in the parable underscore the tragic reality of human rebellion against divine authority and the consequences of rejecting God's gracious overtures.

* [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 Repeatedly")
* [Luke 13:6-9](/luke/13-6-9 "Luke 13:6-9 - The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 12:2 serves as a profound mirror for self-examination, inviting us to consider our own relationship with God and our responsiveness to His divine initiatives. Just as the vineyard owner expected fruit from his tenants, God, as the ultimate owner of all, rightfully expects spiritual fruit from our lives—fruit that reflects His character and advances His kingdom. This "fruit" can manifest as the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.), acts of righteousness, faithful stewardship of our gifts and resources, and participation in His mission. The verse reminds us that we are not owners but stewards, entrusted with God's blessings and called to manage them for His glory. God's persistent sending of messengers, even in the face of rejection, underscores His immense patience and grace, challenging us to ask if we are truly listening and responding to His voice today. It calls us to cultivate a life that yields a harvest pleasing to Him, recognizing His rightful claim on all that we are and have.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "fruit" does God expect to see in my life, and am I actively cultivating it?**
* **In what ways might I be acting like the "husbandmen," withholding what is rightfully God's or resisting His messengers?**
* **How does God's patience, as demonstrated by the owner sending a servant "at the season," encourage me in my own spiritual journey?**
* **Am I a faithful steward of the gifts, talents, and resources God has entrusted to me, or do I claim them as my own?**

### FAQ
**Who do the "husbandmen" and "servant" represent in this parable?**

Answer: In Jesus' allegorical parable, the "husbandmen" (or tenants) represent the religious leaders of Israel, particularly the chief priests, scribes, and elders who were entrusted with the spiritual care and guidance of God's people. They were responsible for nurturing the "vineyard" (Israel) and producing spiritual "fruit" for God. The "servant" sent by the owner represents the prophets whom God sent to Israel throughout Old Testament history (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:25](/jeremiah/7-25 "Jeremiah 7:25 - God Sent Prophets Repeatedly")), calling them to repentance and righteousness, and seeking the "fruit" of obedience and worship from them. The parable highlights the consistent rejection and mistreatment of these divine messengers by Israel's leadership.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 12:2, as part of the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the verse speaks of the owner sending a "servant" to collect fruit, the parable climaxes with the owner sending his "beloved son" ([Mark 12:6](/mark/12-6 "Mark 12:6 - The Sending of the Son")), who is then brutally murdered by the husbandmen. This powerfully foreshadows Jesus' own mission as God's ultimate and final messenger, the beloved Son sent into His vineyard (Israel). His rejection and crucifixion by the very leaders who should have welcomed Him represent the pinnacle of Israel's historical rebellion against God's overtures. However, the parable also alludes to the stone the builders rejected becoming the cornerstone ([Mark 12:10-11](/mark/12-10-11 "Mark 12:10-11 - The Rejected Cornerstone")), a clear prophecy of Jesus' resurrection and exaltation. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus, the rejected Son, becomes the foundation of a new spiritual "vineyard," the Church, which comprises both Jew and Gentile, and is now called to bear fruit for God ([John 15:1-8](/john/15-1-8 "John 15:1-8 - Jesus the True Vine")). Thus, Mark 12:2, while initially pointing to the prophets, ultimately sets the stage for the dramatic and redemptive arrival of the Son, whose suffering and triumph fulfill God's eternal plan for salvation, establishing a new covenant where all who believe can bear abundant fruit in Him ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")).

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

John 15:1

¶ I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

John 15:8

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Micah 7:1

¶ Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: [there is] no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit.

2 Kings 17:13

Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, [and by] all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments [and] my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.

Luke 20:10

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.

Zechariah 7:7

[Should ye] not [hear] the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when [men] inhabited the south and the plain?

Jeremiah 44:4

Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending [them], saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.