Mark 12:6

KJV

Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.

KJV (with Strong's)

Having {G2192} yet {G2089} therefore {G3767} one {G1520} son {G5207}, his {G846} wellbeloved {G27}, he sent {G649} him {G846} also {G2532} last {G2078} unto {G4314} them {G846}, saying {G3004},{G3754} They will reverence {G1788} my {G3450} son {G5207}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He had still one person left, a son whom he loved; in the end, he sent him to them, saying, `My son they will respect.'

Berean Standard Bible

Finally, having one beloved son, he sent him to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.

American Standard Version

He had yet one, a beloved son: he sent him last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 12:6 is a pivotal verse within Jesus' Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, delivered in the temple courts to confront the religious authorities. It describes the vineyard owner's final, desperate act of sending his "one son, his wellbeloved," with the expectation that this ultimate messenger would finally command the reverence that his previously mistreated servants had not. This act underscores God's persistent patience and the unique, cherished status of His Son, while tragically foreshadowing the Son's impending rejection and murder by those who should have honored Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 12:6 is nestled within the larger narrative of Jesus' Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, which begins in [Mark 12:1](/mark/12-1 "Mark 12:1 - Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers Begins") and concludes in [Mark 12:12](/mark/12-12 "Mark 12:12 - The Chief Priests Understand the Parable"). This parable is delivered by Jesus in the temple courts in Jerusalem, during the final week before His crucifixion. It immediately follows a direct challenge to Jesus' authority by the chief priests, scribes, and elders ([Mark 11:27-33](/mark/11-27-33 "Mark 11:27-33 - Jesus' Authority Questioned")). The parable itself is a thinly veiled allegory, with the vineyard representing Israel, the owner representing God, the tenants representing the religious leaders, and the servants representing the prophets. Verse 6 marks the climax of the owner's appeals, escalating from sending mere servants to his most precious possession—his son. The subsequent verses ([Mark 12:7-8](/mark/12-7-8 "Mark 12:7-8 - The Tenants Kill the Son")) detail the tenants' murderous response, directly foreshadowing Jesus' own fate.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of a vineyard was a well-understood metaphor for Israel in the Old Testament, famously used in [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard"). This would have immediately resonated with Jesus' Jewish audience. The practice of absentee landlords leasing vineyards to tenants was common in ancient Palestine. Tenants were expected to give the owner a share of the produce. The owner's rights were legally protected, and sending a son as an heir or representative was a significant act, as his status would typically command respect and ensure the owner's rights were upheld. The chief priests, scribes, and elders, to whom this parable was directed, were the custodians of Israel's spiritual heritage, responsible for guiding the people in their relationship with God. Their failure to produce the expected "fruit" and their mistreatment of God's messengers (the prophets) and ultimately His Son, would have been a damning indictment in this cultural setting.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 12:6 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Mark and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **God's Enduring Patience and Grace**, as the owner repeatedly sends messengers despite their mistreatment, culminating in the sending of his own son. This demonstrates God's persistent desire for His people to respond in faithfulness. Secondly, the verse emphasizes **The Unique Status and Identity of Jesus as the Son of God**. The phrase "one son, his wellbeloved" echoes the divine affirmation at Jesus' baptism ([Mark 1:11](/mark/1-11 "Mark 1:11 - Jesus' Baptism and Divine Affirmation")) and transfiguration ([Mark 9:7](/mark/9-7 "Mark 9:7 - The Transfiguration and God's Voice")), clearly identifying Jesus as the beloved Son. Thirdly, it reveals **God's Expectation of Reverence and Obedience** from His chosen people, particularly their leaders, towards His ultimate revelation in Christ. Finally, and most tragically, it serves as a powerful **Foreshadowing of Christ's Rejection and Crucifixion**, revealing the divine foreknowledge of the religious leaders' murderous intent, which would culminate in Jesus' death outside Jerusalem ([Mark 12:8](/mark/12-8 "Mark 12:8 - The Son is Killed")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **son (Greek, _huiós'_):** From G5207, meaning "a son," used widely for kinship. In this context, it refers to the vineyard owner's literal son, but allegorically, it points directly to Jesus as the Son of God, emphasizing His unique and intimate relationship with the Father. The use of "one son" further highlights His singular status.
* **wellbeloved (Greek, _agapētós'_):** From G27, meaning "beloved" or "dearly beloved." This term is profoundly significant, as it is almost exclusively used in the New Testament to describe Jesus as God's "beloved" Son. Its inclusion here underscores the deep affection and unique relationship between the owner (God) and his son (Jesus), making the subsequent rejection by the tenants even more heinous.
* **sent (Greek, _apostéllō'_):** From G649, meaning "to send out (properly, on a mission)." This word emphasizes the deliberate and purposeful nature of the owner's action. The son is not merely visiting but is dispatched with authority and a specific mission—to represent the owner and receive what is due. This mirrors Jesus' own mission from the Father.
* **reverence (Greek, _entrépō'_):** From G1788, meaning "to respect" or "to regard." The owner's expectation, "They will reverence my son," reveals his hope that the tenants, despite their previous mistreatment of servants, would recognize the unique authority and status of his son and respond with due honor and respect. This expectation, however, is tragically unmet, leading to the son's murder.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved":** This clause emphasizes the owner's ultimate and most precious possession. The "one son" signifies uniqueness and singularity, while "his wellbeloved" (Greek _agapētós_) conveys deep affection and a cherished relationship. This highlights the immense value and importance of this final messenger, who is distinct from all the servants sent before. It implicitly points to Jesus Christ as God's unique and beloved Son.
* **"he sent him also last unto them":** This phrase underlines the owner's persistent patience and the climactic nature of this final appeal. Having exhausted all other options (sending numerous servants), the owner makes this ultimate gesture. The word "last" (Greek _éschatos_) signifies the finality and gravity of this mission; there would be no other messenger after him. This foreshadows Jesus' role as God's ultimate and final revelation to humanity.
* **"saying, They will reverence my son":** This reveals the owner's hopeful expectation. Despite the tenants' history of violence and disrespect towards his servants, the owner believes that the sheer status and familial connection of his son would command the respect and honor due to him. This expectation, however, is tragically ironic, as the tenants' response in the following verses proves to be the exact opposite, leading to the son's murder.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 12:6 employs several powerful literary devices. The entire passage is an **Allegory**, where the characters and actions in the story directly correspond to real-world entities and events. The vineyard owner is God, the tenants are the Jewish religious leaders, the servants are the Old Testament prophets, and the son is Jesus Christ. This allegorical structure allows Jesus to convey a profound theological truth and a stark warning without directly accusing His audience until the parable's conclusion. **Symbolism** is pervasive, with the "vineyard" symbolizing Israel and the "fruit" representing the expected obedience and righteousness from God's people. The phrase "his wellbeloved son" is rich in **Symbolism**, clearly identifying Jesus with the divine Sonship affirmed elsewhere in Mark's Gospel. Furthermore, the owner's hopeful statement, "They will reverence my son," creates a powerful sense of **Dramatic Irony**. The audience, and certainly the chief priests and scribes, would have understood the owner's expectation, yet Jesus (and the Gospel writer) knows that the tenants will do the exact opposite, leading to the son's death. This irony serves as poignant **Foreshadowing** of Jesus' own impending crucifixion at the hands of those very religious leaders.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 12:6 profoundly underscores the climax of God's redemptive history, revealing the Father's ultimate act of love and self-giving in sending His beloved Son. It highlights the immense value God places on reconciliation with humanity, even in the face of persistent rebellion. The owner's expectation of reverence for his son reflects God's rightful demand for recognition and honor for Jesus, His supreme and final revelation. This verse sets the stage for the tragic yet necessary rejection of the Son, which, in God's sovereign plan, would lead to the cross and the ultimate provision for humanity's sin. It emphasizes that to reject the Son is to reject God Himself, underscoring the gravity of unbelief and the unique authority of Christ.

* [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")
* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Final Word in His Son")
* [1 John 4:9-10](/1_john/4-9-10 "1 John 4:9-10 - God's Love Manifested")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 12:6 serves as a profound mirror for self-reflection, challenging us to examine our own response to God's ultimate messenger, Jesus Christ. Just as the vineyard owner expected reverence for his son, God expects us to acknowledge and honor Jesus as the supreme authority and the full revelation of His character and will. This verse calls us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to a posture of deep reverence, trust, and obedience to Christ. It reminds us of the immense privilege we have in hearing God's final and most precious word through His Son, and the solemn responsibility that comes with it. Are we like the rebellious tenants, seeking to seize control and reject God's rightful claim, or do we humbly receive the Son as the rightful heir and Lord? Our response to Jesus determines our eternal destiny and defines the nature of our relationship with God. The parable's warning about the consequences of rejecting the Son should stir within us a profound gratitude for God's persistent love and a renewed commitment to live in faithful submission to Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the owner's decision to send his "wellbeloved son" deepen your understanding of God's love and patience towards humanity?**
* **In what ways might we, like the tenants, fail to give Jesus the reverence and honor He deserves in our daily lives?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the gravity of rejecting God's ultimate message and messenger?**
* **How does the unique status of the "one son, his wellbeloved" impact your personal worship and devotion to Jesus?**

### FAQ
**Who does the "one son, his wellbeloved" represent in this parable?**

Answer: In Jesus' Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, the "one son, his wellbeloved" unequivocally represents Jesus Christ Himself. This identification is made clear by the language used, which echoes divine declarations about Jesus' unique relationship with God the Father, such as at His baptism where a voice from heaven proclaimed, "Thou art my [beloved Son](/mark/1-11 "Mark 1:11 - Jesus' Baptism"), in whom I am well pleased." The owner (God) sending his only beloved son as a final messenger underscores Jesus' singular identity as the Son of God and the ultimate revelation of the Father's will and love.

**Why did the owner expect the tenants to reverence his son when they had mistreated his servants?**

Answer: The owner's expectation, "They will reverence my son," reflects a natural assumption within the cultural context of the time. In ancient societies, the son, especially an only and beloved son, carried the full authority and representation of his father. Sending the son was an act of both trust and ultimate appeal. The owner likely believed that the tenants, despite their previous rebellion against the servants (who represent the prophets), would recognize the son's supreme authority and the grave implications of disrespecting the direct heir. This expectation highlights the profound depth of the owner's patience and hope, even as it tragically sets the stage for the tenants' ultimate act of rebellion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 12:6, within the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' unique identity as the Son of God, His mission as the Father's ultimate messenger, and His sacrificial death that brought about salvation. The "one son, his wellbeloved" is none other than Jesus, the [only begotten Son of God](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World"), sent by the Father as the culmination of His redemptive plan. While the parable depicts the owner's hope that the son would be reverenced, the tragic reality, prophesied by Jesus, was His rejection and crucifixion by the very religious leaders who should have welcomed Him. This act of rejection, though wicked on the part of the tenants, was paradoxically part of God's sovereign plan to bring about redemption. The "son" was indeed "sent last" not merely to collect fruit, but to offer Himself as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His death, though seemingly a defeat, led to His resurrection and exaltation, fulfilling the prophecy of the [stone the builders rejected becoming the cornerstone](/mark/12-10-11 "Mark 12:10-11 - The Rejected Cornerstone"), as mentioned in the very next verses of this parable. Thus, Mark 12:6, while speaking of rejection, ultimately points to the Father's ultimate love in sending His Son to die for humanity, establishing a new covenant through His blood and securing eternal life for all who believe in Him ([Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ, the Mediator of a New Covenant")).

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

Hebrews 1:1

¶ God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

Hebrews 1:2

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by [his] Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

John 1:34

And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Matthew 3:17

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

John 1:49

Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

Isaiah 42:1

¶ Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, [in whom] my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

Matthew 26:63

But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.