Mark 12:5

KJV

And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} again {G3825} he sent {G649} another {G243}; and him {G2548} they killed {G615}, and {G2532} many {G4183} others {G243};{G3303} beating some {G1194}, and {G1161} killing some {G615}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He sent another one, and him they killed; and so with many others -- some they beat up, others they killed.

Berean Standard Bible

He sent still another, and this one they killed. He sent many others; some they beat and others they killed.

American Standard Version

And he sent another; and him they killed: and many others; beating some, and killing some.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 12:5 continues Jesus' Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, illustrating the escalating rebellion of the tenants (representing Israel's religious leaders) against the landowner (God). This verse vividly portrays the landowner's persistent, gracious attempts to receive the fruit of his vineyard by sending numerous servants (prophets), only to have them met with increasingly brutal violence—some beaten, others killed. It underscores the profound rejection of divine authority and the historical pattern of Israel's resistance to God's messengers, setting a grim stage for the ultimate sending of the landowner's beloved son.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 12:5 is an integral part of the [Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers](/mark/12-1-12 "Mark 12:1-12 - The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers"), delivered by Jesus in the temple courts just days before His crucifixion. This parable immediately follows a confrontation with the chief priests, scribes, and elders who questioned His authority ([Mark 11:27-33](/mark/11-27-33 "Mark 11:27-33 - Jesus' Authority Questioned")). The parable itself is a direct and thinly veiled indictment of these religious leaders, portraying God's long-suffering patience and their persistent rejection of His messengers, culminating in the killing of His Son. Verse 5 specifically emphasizes the landowner's repeated attempts and the tenants' escalating violence, building tension towards the climax in [Mark 12:6](/mark/12-6 "Mark 12:6 - The Sending of the Son").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The parable draws heavily on the agricultural practices and social structures of first-century Palestine. Landowners often leased vineyards to tenants, expecting a share of the produce. The sending of servants to collect this share was a common practice. However, the escalating violence against these messengers would have been shocking and highly illegal, reflecting a deep-seated rebellion. Historically, this mirrors the consistent pattern in Israel's history where God sent prophets to call His people to repentance and obedience, only for many of these prophets to be rejected, persecuted, and even killed by the very leaders who should have guided the nation in righteousness. This historical reality is lamented throughout the Old Testament, such as in [Nehemiah 9:26](/nehemiah/9-26 "Nehemiah 9:26 - Rejection of Prophets") and [Jeremiah 7:25-26](/jeremiah/7-25-26 "Jeremiah 7:25-26 - Disobedience to Prophets").
* **Key Themes:** Mark 12:5 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Mark's Gospel and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **God's Enduring Patience and Grace**, as the landowner, despite repeated affronts, continues to send messengers, demonstrating a profound desire for His people to yield the fruit of righteousness. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Human Rebellion and Resistance to Divine Authority**, particularly among those entrusted with spiritual leadership. The vinedressers' increasing brutality reveals a hardening of hearts against God's rightful claims and a determination to usurp His authority. Thirdly, the verse vividly portrays the **Persecution of God's Messengers**, a theme deeply rooted in Israel's history, where prophets were often mistreated or killed for delivering God's challenging word. This pattern of rejection foreshadows the ultimate fate of Jesus Himself, the "beloved son" whom the tenants would also kill ([Mark 12:8](/mark/12-8 "Mark 12:8 - Killing the Son")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **again (Greek, _pálin'_):** This adverb signifies repetition, emphasizing the landowner's persistent and renewed efforts despite previous failures. It highlights God's unwavering patience and His continuous sending of messengers, even in the face of escalating opposition. The inclusion of "again" underscores the long history of God's overtures to Israel.
* **sent (Greek, _apostéllō'_):** Meaning "to send out (properly, on a mission)," this verb denotes a deliberate, authoritative commissioning. The landowner is not merely dispatching servants but sending them with a specific purpose—to collect the fruits of the vineyard. In the parabolic context, this represents God's authoritative commissioning of His prophets throughout Israel's history, sending them with His divine message and mandate.
* **killed (Greek, _apokteínō'_):** This verb means "to kill outright" or "to destroy." Its repeated use in the verse, first for "another" and then for "some" among "many others," underscores the extreme and deadly violence employed by the vinedressers. It signifies the ultimate rejection and destruction of God's messengers, revealing the profound depravity and rebellion of the tenants.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And again he sent another;":** This phrase signifies the landowner's persistent and patient nature. Despite the previous mistreatment of his servants, he does not give up. The sending of "another" implies a continuous, unwavering effort to reclaim what is rightfully his, symbolizing God's enduring grace and His repeated attempts to communicate with and redeem His people through the prophets.
* **"and him they killed, and many others;":** This clause reveals the shocking escalation of the tenants' rebellion and violence. They not only mistreat but now outright murder the landowner's messenger. The addition of "many others" indicates a widespread and systematic pattern of rejection and lethal violence against God's representatives, reflecting the historical persecution of Old Testament prophets.
* **"beating some, and killing some.":** This final part of the verse provides a grim summary of the varied, yet consistently brutal, treatment of the landowner's servants. It shows the spectrum of abuse—from severe physical violence ("beating") to outright murder ("killing"). The repetition of "some" emphasizes the indiscriminate and widespread nature of the tenants' hostility, highlighting their complete disregard for the landowner's authority and their determination to seize control.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 12:5 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Symbolism** is central, with the landowner representing God, the vineyard representing Israel, and the servants representing the prophets. The actions within the parable symbolize the historical relationship between God and His people, particularly their leaders. The verse also uses **Intensification** and **Climax**, as the violence escalates from mere mistreatment (implied from previous verses of the parable) to outright murder, first of "another" and then of "many others," some beaten and some killed. This rising brutality builds dramatic tension. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of "killed" (apokteínō) underscores the severity and frequency of the tenants' murderous acts, leaving no doubt about their hardened hearts. This verse also functions as **Foreshadowing**, grimly predicting the ultimate fate of Jesus Himself, the "beloved son" who would be killed outside the vineyard ([Mark 12:8](/mark/12-8 "Mark 12:8 - Killing the Son")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 12:5 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's patience and humanity's persistent rebellion. It illustrates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, continually sending messengers even in the face of violent rejection, demonstrating His long-suffering love and desire for their repentance. Simultaneously, it exposes the deep-seated sinfulness and hardened hearts of those who reject divine authority, particularly the religious leaders of Israel who, in their pursuit of worldly power and self-interest, resisted God's truth and persecuted His prophets. This verse sets the stage for the climactic rejection of God's ultimate messenger, His Son, revealing the depth of human depravity and the necessity of divine intervention.

* [2 Chronicles 36:15-16](/2_chronicles/36-15-16 "2 Chronicles 36:15-16 - God's Patience and Israel's Rejection")
* [Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus' Lament Over Jerusalem")
* [Acts 7:51-53](/acts/7-51-53 "Acts 7:51-53 - Stephen's Rebuke of Israel's Resistance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 12:5 is a stark reminder of the immense patience and grace of God, who relentlessly pursues humanity despite our persistent rebellion. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: Do we recognize and respond to the messengers God sends into our lives, whether they are pastors, teachers, or even the quiet promptings of the Holy Spirit through His Word? Or do we, like the wicked vinedressers, harden our hearts, resist truth, and seek to maintain control over what rightfully belongs to God? This verse calls us to humility and repentance, urging us to yield the "fruit" of our lives to God, acknowledging His supreme authority and embracing His loving call. It also encourages us to stand firm in faith, knowing that God's truth will ultimately prevail, and that His justice will be served upon those who persistently reject Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be resisting God's authority or His truth, much like the vinedressers?**
* **How does God's persistent sending of messengers, even in the face of rejection, reveal His character to me?**
* **What "fruit" is God calling me to produce in my life, and what might be hindering me from yielding it to Him?**

### FAQ
**Why did the landowner keep sending servants if they were being so badly treated?**

Answer: The landowner's persistent sending of servants, despite their mistreatment and even death, is a powerful symbol of God's enduring patience, grace, and long-suffering love. In the parable, the landowner represents God, and the servants represent the prophets He sent to Israel throughout its history. God, in His mercy, repeatedly called His people to repentance and obedience, even when they rejected and persecuted His messengers. This divine persistence highlights His desire for His people to return to Him and fulfill their covenant obligations, rather than immediately bringing judgment. It underscores the theme of God's unfailing love and His desire for reconciliation, even in the face of profound human rebellion, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard") and [Jeremiah 7:25-26](/jeremiah/7-25-26 "Jeremiah 7:25-26 - God's Persistent Sending of Prophets").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 12:5, with its depiction of the persistent sending of messengers and their violent rejection, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate mission and fate of Jesus Christ. The "many others" who were beaten and killed represent the long line of Old Testament prophets whom God sent to Israel, only to be met with resistance and persecution. This historical pattern of rejection culminates in the sending of the "beloved son" in [Mark 12:6](/mark/12-6 "Mark 12:6 - The Sending of the Son"), who is Jesus Himself. Just as the vinedressers killed the son outside the vineyard to seize the inheritance ([Mark 12:8](/mark/12-8 "Mark 12:8 - Killing the Son")), so too was Jesus, the Son of God, rejected by the religious leaders of His day and crucified outside the city gates ([Hebrews 13:12](/hebrews/13-12 "Hebrews 13:12 - Jesus Suffered Outside the Gate")). His death, however, was not the end but the means by which the true inheritance—salvation and eternal life—was secured for all who believe, fulfilling the very purpose for which the Father sent Him ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Thus, Mark 12:5, while detailing the rejection of the prophets, ultimately points to the climactic rejection of Christ, which paradoxically became the foundation for God's new covenant and the establishment of His kingdom through the resurrected Son ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")).

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 22:6

And the remnant took his servants, and entreated [them] spitefully, and slew [them].

Mark 9:13

But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.

Luke 6:36

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Matthew 5:12

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Luke 6:22

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

Luke 6:23

Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward [is] great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Jeremiah 7:25

Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending [them]: