TRV
Translation
King James Version
And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.
Complete Jewish Bible
So he sent another servant; this one they punched in the head and insulted.
Berean Standard Bible
Then he sent them another servant, and they struck him over the head and treated him shamefully.
American Standard Version
And again he sent unto them another servant; and him they wounded in the head, and handled shamefully.
World English Bible Messianic
Again, he sent another servant to them; and they threw stones at him, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And againe he sent vnto them another seruant, and at him they cast stones, and brake his head, and sent him away shamefully handled.
Young's Literal Translation
`And again he sent unto them another servant, and at that one having cast stones, they wounded him in the head, and sent away--dishonoured.
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 24,678 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Mark 12 verses 1–12
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.
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.
3 And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.
4 And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.
5 And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.
6 Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.
7 But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.
8 And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
9 What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.
10 And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:
11 This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
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.
I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points
Christ had formerly in parables showed how he designed to set up the gospel church; now he begins in parables to show how he would lay aside the Jewish church, which it might have been grafted into the stock of, but was built upon the ruins of. This parable we had just as we have it here, Mat 21:33. We may observe here,
I. They that enjoy the privileges of the visible church, have a vineyard let out to them, which is capable of great improvement, and from the occupiers of which rent is justly expected. When God showed his word unto Jacob, his statutes and judgments unto Israel (Psa 147:19), when he set up his temple among them, his priesthood, and his ordinances, then he let out to them the vineyard he had planted; which he hedged, and in which he built a tower, Mar 12:1. Members of the church are God's tenants, and they have both a good Landlord and a good bargain, and may live well upon it, if it be not their own fault.
II. Those whom God lets out his vineyard to, he sends his servants to, to put them in mind of his just expectations from them, Mar 12:2. He was not hasty in his demands, nor high, for he did not send for the rent till they could make it, at the season; nor did he put them to the trouble of making money of it, but was willing to take it in specie.
III. It is sad to think what base usage God's faithful ministers have met with, in all ages, from those that have enjoyed the privileges of the church, and have not brought forth fruit answerable. The Old Testament prophets were persecuted even by those that went under the name of the Old Testament church. They beat them, and sent them empty away (Mar 12:3); that was bad: they wounded them, and sent them away shamefully entreated (Mar 12:4); that was worse: nay, at length, they came to such a pitch of wickedness, that they killed them, Mar 12:5.
IV. It was no wonder if those who abused the prophets, abused Christ himself. God did at length send them his Son, his well-beloved; it was therefore so much the greater kindness in him to send him; as in Jacob to send Joseph to visit his brethren, Gen 37:14. And it might be expected that he whom their Master loved, they also should respect and love (Mar 12:6); "They will reverence my son, and, in reverence to him, will pay their rent." But, instead of reverencing him because he was the son and heir, they therefore hated him, Mar 12:7. Because Christ, in calling to repentance and reformation, made his demands with more authority than the prophets had done, they were the more enraged against him, and determined to put him to death, that they might engross all church power to themselves, and that all the respect and obedience of the people might be paid to them only; "The inheritance shall be ours, we will be lords paramount, and bear all the sway." There is an inheritance, which, if they had duly reverenced the Son, might have been theirs, a heavenly inheritance; but they slighted that, and would have their inheritance in the wealth, and pomp, and powers, of this world. So they took him, and killed him; they had not done it yet, but they would do it in a little time; and they cast him out of the vineyard, they refused to admit his gospel when he was gone; it would by no means agree with their scheme, and so they threw it out with disdain and detestation.
V. For such sinful and shameful doings nothing can be expected but a fearful doom (Mar 12:9); What shall therefore the Lord of the vineyard do? It is easy to say what, for nothing could be done more provoking.
1.He will come, and destroy the husbandmen, whom he would have saved. When they only denied the fruit, he did not distrain upon them for rent, nor disseize them and dispossess them for non-payment; but when they killed his servants, and his Son, he determined to destroy them; and this was fulfilled when Jerusalem was laid waste, and the Jewish nation extirpated and made a desolation.
2.He will give the vineyards to others. If he have not the rent from them, he will have it from another people, for God will be no loser by any. This was fulfilled in the taking in of the Gentiles, and the abundance of fruit which the gospel brought forth in all the world, Col 1:6. If some from whom we expected well, prove bad, it doth not follow but that others will be better. Christ encouraged himself with this in his undertaking; Though Israel be not gathered, not gathered to him, but gathered against him, yet shall I be glorious (Isa 49:5, Isa 49:6), as a Light to lighten the Gentiles.
3.Their opposition to Christ's exaltation shall be no obstruction to it (Mar 12:10, Mar 12:11); The stone which the builders rejected, notwithstanding that, is become the Head of the corner, is highly advanced as the Head-stone, and of necessary use and influence as the Corner-stone. God will set Christ as his King, upon his holy hill of Zion, in spite of their project, who would break his bands asunder. And all the world shall see and own this to be the Lord's doing, in justice to the Jews, and in compassion to the Gentiles. The exaltation of Christ was the Lord's doing, and it is his doing to exalt him in our hearts, and to set up his throne there; and if it be done, it cannot but be marvellous in our eyes.
Now what effect had this parable upon the chief priests and scribes, whose conviction was designed by it? They knew he spoke this parable against them, Mar 12:12. They could not but see their own faces in the glass of it; and one would think it showed them their sin so very heinous, and their ruin so certain and great, that it should have frightened them into a compliance with Christ and his gospel, should have prevailed to bring them to repentance, at least to make them desist from their malicious purpose against him: but, instead of that, (1.) They sought to lay hold on him, and make him their prisoner immediately, and so to fulfil what he had just now said they would do to him, Mar 12:8. (2.) Nothing restrained them from it but the awe they stood in of the people; they did not reverence Christ, nor had an fear of God before their eyes, but were afraid, if they should publicly lay hold on Christ, the mob would rise, and lay hold on them, and rescue them. (3.) They left him, and went their way; if they could not do hurt to him, they resolved he should not do good to them, and therefore they got out of the hearing of his powerful preaching, lest they should be converted and healed. Note, If men's prejudices be not conquered by the evidence of truth, they are but confirmed; and if the corruptions of the heart be not subdued by faithful reproofs, they are but enraged and exasperated. If the gospel be not a savour of life unto life, it will be a savour of death unto death.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–12. Public domain.
Copy as
Pseudo-Jerome (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
God the Father is called a man by a human conception. The vineyard is the house of Israel; the hedge is the guardianship of Angels; the winefat is the law, the tower is the temple, and the husbandmen, the priests.
The servants who were sent were the prophets, the fruit of the vineyard is obedience; some of the prophets were beaten, others wounded, others slain. Wherefore it goes on, And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.
The well-beloved son and the last is the Only-begotten; and in that He says, They will reverence my son, He speaks in irony.
Or else, they cast Him out of the vineyard, that is, out of the people, saying Thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil. (John 8:48) 1Or, as far as in them lay, they cast Him out of their own borders, and gave Him up to the Gentiles that they might receive Him. There follows, What then will the Lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy those husbandmen, and give the vineyard unto other.
Or else, the vineyard is given to others, that is, to those who come from the east, and from the west, and from the south, and from the north, and who sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
This rejected stone, which is borne by that corner where the lamb and the bread met in the supper, ending the Old and beginning the New Testament, does things marvellous in our eyes as the topaz. (Ps. 118, Ps. 127. Vulg.)
Bede (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 735
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
(in Marc. 3, 42) Or else, the hedge is the wall of the city, the winefat is the altar, or those winefats, by which three psalms receive their name.
(ubi sup.) Not by any change of place, but He seemed to go away from the vineyard, that He might leave the husbandmen to act on their own freewill. It goes on: And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
(ubi sup.) By the servant who was first sent, we must understand Moses, but they beat him, and sent him away empty, because they angered Moses in the tents. (Ps. 106:6) There follows, And again he sent unto them another servant, and they wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. This other servant means David and the other Psalmists, but they wounded Him in the head and shamefully handled him, because they despised the songs of the Psalmists and rejected David himself, saying, What portion have we in David? (1 Kings 12:16) It goes on, And he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; heating some, and killing some. By the third servant and his companions, understand the band of the prophets. But which of the prophets did they not persecute? In these three kinds of servants, as the Lord Himself elsewhere pronounces, may be included in a figure all the doctors under the law, when He says, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me. (Luke 24:44)
(ubi sup.) Or else, this is not said in ignorance, but God is said to doubt, that freedom of will may be left to man.
(ubi sup.) The Lord proves most clearly that the chiefs of the Jews did not crucify the Son of God through ignorance, but through envy; for they understood that this was He to whom it was said, I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance. (Ps. 2:8) But these evil husbandmen strove to seize upon it by slaying Him, when the Jews crucifying Him tried to extinguish the faith which is by Him, and rather to bring forward their own righteousness which is by the Law, and to thrust it on the nations, and to imbue them with it. There follows: And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
(ubi sup.) But that this was done by Divine interposition he affirms, by immediately afterwards adding, And have ye not read this Scripture, The stone which the builders refused is become the head-stone in the corner? As if he had said, how is this prophecy to be fulfilled, save in that Christ, being rejected and slain by you, is to be preached to the Gentiles, who will believe on Him? Thus then as a corner stone, He will found the two people on Himself, and of the two people will build for Himself a city of the faithful, one temple. For the masters of the synagogue, whom He had just called husbandmen, He now calls builders, because the same persons, who seemed to cultivate His people, that they might bear the fruits of life, like a vineyard, were also commanded to construct and adorn this people, to be, as it were, a house worthy to have God for its inhabitant.
(ubi sup.) But the Chief Priests showed that those things which the Lord had spoken were true; which is proved from what follows: And they sought to lay hold on him; for He Himself is the heir, whose unjust death He said was to be revenged by the Father. Again, in a moral sense, each of the faithful, when the Sacrament of Baptism is intrusted to him, receives on hire a vineyard, which he is to cultivate. But the servant sent to him is evil intreated, beaten, and cast out, when the word is heard by him and despised, or, what is worse, even blasphemed; further, he kills, as far as in him lies, the heir, who has trampled under foot the Son of God. The evil husbandman is destroyed, and the vineyard given to another, when the humble shall be enriched with that gift of grace, which the proud man has scorned. And it happens daily in the Church, that the Chief Priests wishing to lay hands on Jesus, are held back by the multitude, when some one, who is a brother only in name, either blushes or fears to attack the unity of the faith of the Church, and of its peace, though he loves it not, on account of the number of good brethren who dwell together within it.
BedeAD 735
On the Gospel of Mark
And again he sent another servant to them, and they wounded him in the head and treated him shamefully. The other servant signifies David the king and prophet and the other psalmists, who were sent after Moses, so that by the modulation of psalmody and the sweetness of the harp they might stir the cultivators of the vineyard to the practice of good works after the legal edicts. For David himself, who lifted up the hearts of the people to desire heavenly things, established that the continuous praises of the Lord be sung with sweet melody among the rites of carnal sacrifices. But they also wounded this devotion, treating it shamefully by wounding it in the head, because disregarding the songs of the psalmists which called to the praise of the Lord, they rejected David, who had shone as the head and source of psalmody in the Holy Spirit. For they said: "What portion do we have in David, or what inheritance in the son of Jesse?" (1 Kings 12) With these words, they both changed his kingdom with an ignoble stock, and his religion with impiety. Nevertheless, he prayed for this vineyard, which, transplanted from Egypt, had covered the mountains of Palestine with its shade, that it might not be utterly destroyed: "Lord God of hosts, return now, look down from heaven and see, and visit this vineyard, and protect what your right hand has planted" (Psalm 80). Here he equally explained who that man is who planted this vineyard, namely the Lord God of hosts.
Theophylact of Ohrid (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 1107
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Or, the hedge is the law, which prohibited their mingling with strangers. There follows, And went into a far country.
Or else, By the first servant, understand the prophets who lived about the time of Elias, (2 Chron. 18:23.) for Zedekiah the false prophet beat Micaiah; and by the second servant whom they wounded in the head, that is, evil entreated, we may understand the prophets who lived about the time of Hosea and Isaiah; but by the third servant understand the prophets who flourished about the time of Daniel and Ezekiel. It goes on, Having yet therefore one son, his well-beloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, Perchance they will reverence my son.
Or else, He said this not as though He were ignorant of what was to happen, but to show what it was right and fitting that they should do. But those husbandmen said amongst themselves, This is the heir, come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.
That is, without Jerusalem, for the Lord was crucified out of the city.
The Lord of the vineyard then is the Father of the Son who was slain, and the Son Himself is He who was slain, who will destroy those husbandmen, by giving them up to the Romans, and who will give the people to other husbandmen, that is, to the Apostles. Read the Acts of the Apostles, and you will find three thousand, and five thousand on a sudden believing and bearing fruit to God.
The stone then which the builders refused, the same has become the head-stone of the corner, that is, of the Church. For the Church is, as it were, the corner, joining together Jews and Gentiles; and this corner has been made by the Lord, and is wonderful in our eyes, that is, in the eyes of the faithful; for miracles meet with detraction from the faithless. The Church indeed is wonderful, as it were resting on wonders, for the Lord worked with the Apostles, and confirmed the word with signs. And this is what is meant, when it is said, This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.
Glossa Ordinaria (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 1274
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
(non occ.) After the Lord had closed the mouths of His tempters by a wise question, He next shows their wickedness in a parable; wherefore it is said: And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying Mark 12:4 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
CNTR CollationThe earliest Greek manuscripts of this verse, collated letter by letter.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Mark 12:4, part of Jesus's Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, dramatically illustrates the escalating rebellion of the vineyard tenants against the owner's authority. Following the initial mistreatment of a servant, this verse describes the intensified violence and dishonor inflicted upon a second messenger, highlighting the tenants' hardened hearts and their profound contempt for the owner's rightful claims, while simultaneously underscoring the owner's persistent patience in seeking a response.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Mark 12:4 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The entire narrative is an Allegory, where the vineyard, owner, tenants, and servants all stand for deeper spiritual realities. Within this allegory, the verse specifically utilizes Escalation of conflict; the tenants' actions progress from beating (Mark 12:3) to stoning, wounding, and shamefully handling, demonstrating a growing intensity of rebellion and a hardening of their hearts. This escalating violence creates dramatic tension and underscores the severity of their defiance. Furthermore, the mistreatment of the servants serves as powerful Foreshadowing, prophetically pointing to the suffering and rejection that God's ultimate messenger, His Son, Jesus Christ, would endure at the hands of the religious authorities. The specific injury, "wounded in the head," carries symbolic weight, hinting at the ultimate blow against divine authority. The repeated sending of servants, despite their abuse, also highlights the owner's persistent Patience and grace, a key characteristic of God's dealings with humanity.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 12:4, within the broader parable, serves as a stark theological commentary on the history of Israel's relationship with God, particularly through its leadership. It illustrates the persistent pattern of human rebellion against divine authority and the rejection of God's gracious overtures. The escalating violence against the servants underscores the hardening of hearts and the profound spiritual blindness that can develop when individuals or institutions refuse to acknowledge God's rightful claims. Yet, against this backdrop of human defiance, the owner's continued sending of messengers powerfully portrays God's enduring patience, His unwavering love, and His relentless pursuit of His people, even in the face of hostility and rejection. This divine long-suffering is a cornerstone of biblical theology, demonstrating God's desire for repentance rather than immediate judgment. The suffering of the servants also connects to the broader biblical theme of the persecution of the righteous, particularly God's prophets, who faithfully delivered His word despite immense personal cost.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 12:4 challenges us to examine our own hearts and our responsiveness to God's voice. The parable's tenants represent those who, despite being entrusted with spiritual stewardship, reject God's messengers and His truth. Do we, like the tenants, resist divine guidance when it challenges our comfort, authority, or preconceived notions? Are we quick to dismiss or "shamefully handle" the truths that convict us or call us to greater obedience? This verse also serves as a poignant reminder that faithfully proclaiming God's word often comes with a cost. Just as the servants were mistreated, those who bear witness to Christ in a fallen world may face opposition, ridicule, or even persecution. Yet, the owner's persistent sending of messengers encourages us to persevere in sharing the Gospel, knowing that God's patience endures and His call for repentance remains. It compels us to consider how we are stewarding the spiritual vineyard entrusted to us, whether individually or corporately, and to ensure we are yielding the fruit of righteousness rather than rebellion.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who do the servants represent in this parable?
Answer: In the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, the servants sent by the vineyard owner represent the long line of prophets whom God sent to Israel throughout its history. These prophets delivered God's messages, called the people to repentance, and reminded them of their covenant obligations. Their mistreatment by the tenants in the parable, as seen in Mark 12:3-4, mirrors the historical persecution and rejection many of God's actual prophets faced at the hands of Israel's leaders and people, as recounted in various Old Testament narratives (e.g., Jeremiah 26:20-23).
Why did the vineyard owner continue to send servants despite their mistreatment?
Answer: The owner's persistent sending of servants, even after they were beaten, stoned, and shamefully handled, underscores a profound theological truth: God's immense patience, long-suffering, and unwavering desire for His people to repent and return to Him. It demonstrates His gracious character and His commitment to giving multiple opportunities for reconciliation before judgment. This divine patience is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, highlighting God's desire for all to come to repentance rather than perish (2 Peter 3:9). The owner's actions in the parable reflect God's steadfast love and His persistent efforts to draw humanity back to Himself, even when met with hardened hearts and escalating rebellion.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 12:4, detailing the escalating rejection of the servants, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate rejection and suffering of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The parable culminates in the owner sending his "beloved son" (Mark 12:6), whom the tenants seize, kill, and cast out of the vineyard (Mark 12:8). This allegorical narrative points directly to Jesus as the final and supreme messenger from God, the heir to the vineyard (Israel). Just as the servants were "wounded in the head" and "shamefully handled," Jesus, the true Lamb of God, was brutally beaten, mocked, and crucified outside the city gates, bearing the shame and sin of the world (Hebrews 13:12). His rejection by the very people He came to save (John 1:11) mirrors the tenants' defiance, but His suffering was not in vain; it was the ultimate act of obedience that secured redemption. Thus, Mark 12:4, with its depiction of prophetic suffering, sets the stage for understanding Christ's passion as the culmination of God's patient outreach and humanity's ultimate rebellion, transformed by God's grace into the means of salvation.