Mark 12:9

KJV

What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.

KJV (with Strong's)

What {G5101} shall {G4160} therefore {G3767} the lord {G2962} of the vineyard {G290} do {G4160}? he will come {G2064} and {G2532} destroy {G622} the husbandmen {G1092}, and {G2532} will give {G1325} the vineyard {G290} unto others {G243}.

Complete Jewish Bible

What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come, destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others!

Berean Standard Bible

What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants, and will give the vineyard to others.

American Standard Version

What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 12:9 encapsulates the climactic judgment pronounced within Jesus' Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen, delivered to the religious authorities in the Temple. In this pivotal verse, Jesus poses a rhetorical question about the vineyard owner's response to the murderous tenants, then provides the chilling answer: the owner will decisively intervene, destroy the unfaithful husbandmen, and entrust the vineyard to others. This declaration serves as a stark prophecy of divine retribution against those who reject God's appointed Son and a foreshadowing of the transfer of spiritual stewardship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 12:9 is the prophetic crescendo of the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen, which begins in [Mark 12:1](/mark/12-1 "Mark 12:1 - The Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen Begins"). Jesus tells this parable immediately after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and His cleansing of the Temple, and directly in response to the chief priests, scribes, and elders who challenged His authority ([Mark 11:27-28](/mark/11-27-28 "Mark 11:27-28 - Questioning Jesus' Authority")). The parable itself is a thinly veiled allegory, with each element representing a key player in salvation history. The owner sends servants (prophets) and finally his beloved son (Jesus) to the tenants (Israel's leaders), who ultimately reject and murder him. Verse 9 delivers the inevitable consequence of such rebellion, serving as a direct indictment of Jesus' immediate audience and their impending actions. The parable concludes in [Mark 12:12](/mark/12-12 "Mark 12:12 - Leaders Understand the Parable") by noting that the leaders understood Jesus was speaking about them, confirming the confrontational nature of His message.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this parable is the Temple courts in Jerusalem, just days before Jesus' crucifixion, a period of intense tension between Jesus and the Jewish religious establishment. The image of a "vineyard" was a well-understood metaphor in Jewish culture, frequently used in the Old Testament to symbolize Israel, particularly in passages like [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard"), where God is the owner and Israel is His vineyard. This cultural familiarity made Jesus' allegory immediately comprehensible and profoundly impactful to His audience. The practice of absentee landlords leasing vineyards to tenants was also common in Judea, providing a realistic backdrop for the parable's narrative. The expectation of the owner to receive fruit (or a share of the harvest) was a standard contractual agreement, making the tenants' refusal and violence all the more egregious and deserving of severe punishment under the prevailing legal and social norms.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 12:9 contributes significantly to several major theological themes within the Gospel of Mark and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment**, explicitly foretelling God's decisive and severe retribution upon those who reject His authority and abuse their stewardship. This judgment is a direct consequence of the **Rejection of Christ**, as the parable vividly portrays the murder of the owner's beloved son, directly paralleling the Jewish leaders' impending rejection and crucifixion of Jesus. The verse also introduces the critical theme of the **Transfer of the Kingdom** or **Spiritual Privilege**. The phrase "will give the vineyard unto others" points to the shift in God's primary instrument for carrying out His redemptive purposes, from the unfaithful leadership of national Israel to a new community, the Church, comprised of both believing Jews and Gentiles, who would faithfully bear fruit for God's kingdom, as alluded to in [Matthew 21:43](/matthew/21-43 "Matthew 21:43 - The Kingdom Taken Away"). Finally, the parable underscores the theme of **Stewardship and Accountability**, reminding all who are entrusted with God's resources and people—whether leaders or individuals—that they are ultimately accountable to Him for their faithfulness, a principle found throughout Scripture, such as in [Luke 16:1-13](/luke/16-1-13 "Luke 16:1-13 - The Parable of the Dishonest Manager").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **husbandmen (Greek, _geōrgós'_):** From *gē* (earth) and the base of *érgon* (work); literally, a land-worker or farmer. In this parable, *geōrgós* refers to the tenants entrusted with the care of the vineyard. Allegorically, they represent the religious leaders of Israel who were given stewardship over God's people and His divine revelation. Their failure to produce fruit and their violent rejection of the owner's messengers and son highlight their profound unfaithfulness and abuse of their entrusted authority.
* **destroy (Greek, _apóllymi'_):** From *apo* (from) and the base of *ólethros* (ruin); to destroy fully, to perish, or to lose. This strong verb signifies a complete and utter destruction, not merely a removal. In the context of the parable, it denotes the severe and decisive judgment the owner will inflict upon the wicked tenants for their rebellion and murder, symbolizing the divine judgment that would fall upon the unfaithful Jewish leadership and, ultimately, Jerusalem itself.
* **give (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** A primary verb meaning to give, bestow, commit, deliver, or grant. This word signifies the transfer of ownership or authority. Here, it describes the owner's action of reassigning the vineyard. The implication is a deliberate and authoritative act of transferring stewardship from the unfaithful tenants to "others" who will presumably be faithful. This act of "giving" marks a significant shift in God's plan and the recipients of His covenant blessings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do?"**: This is a rhetorical question posed by Jesus, inviting His listeners to deduce the logical and just consequence of the tenants' actions. It forces the religious leaders to confront the implications of their own behavior, drawing them into the narrative to pronounce judgment upon themselves. The question underscores the owner's absolute authority and the inevitability of his response.
* **"he will come and destroy the husbandmen"**: This clause provides the first part of the owner's decisive action. The owner's "coming" signifies a direct, personal intervention, indicating that the time for patience has ended and judgment is at hand. The act of "destroying the husbandmen" is a severe and final act of retribution, symbolizing the divine judgment that would befall the unfaithful religious leaders and the nation of Israel for their rejection of God's prophets and, supremely, His Son.
* **"and will give the vineyard unto others."**: This clause reveals the second, equally significant consequence of the husbandmen's rebellion. The "vineyard," representing Israel (and by extension, God's kingdom and covenant blessings), will be taken from those who proved unfaithful and "given unto others." This prophesies the transfer of spiritual privilege and leadership from the unfaithful Jewish establishment to a new group—the early Church, comprising both believing Jews and Gentiles—who would indeed bear the fruit of the kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 12:9 is rich in **Allegory**, where the entire narrative of the vineyard, owner, servants, son, and husbandmen stands for deeper spiritual realities. The vineyard represents Israel, the owner is God, the servants are the prophets, the son is Jesus, and the husbandmen are the unfaithful Jewish leaders. Jesus employs a **Rhetorical Question** ("What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do?") to engage His audience, forcing them to consider the just outcome and, unwittingly, to condemn themselves. The verse also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, as the "destruction of the husbandmen" and the "giving of the vineyard unto others" prophetically anticipates the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and the subsequent expansion of God's kingdom to the Gentiles through the Church. Furthermore, **Symbolism** is evident throughout, with the vineyard as a powerful symbol of God's chosen people and the covenant relationship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 12:9 powerfully articulates the principles of divine justice and the consequences of rejecting God's ultimate revelation in His Son. It underscores God's sovereignty over His creation and His redemptive plan, demonstrating that while human rebellion can delay or disrupt, it cannot ultimately thwart His purposes. The verse highlights the gravity of rejecting God's messengers and, supremely, His Son, leading to severe judgment and the transfer of privilege to those who will prove faithful. This theological truth resonates throughout salvation history, affirming that God always seeks those who will bear fruit for His kingdom, even if it means raising up new stewards.

* [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard")
* [Matthew 21:43](/matthew/21-43 "Matthew 21:43 - The Kingdom Taken from Unfaithful Leaders")
* [Romans 11:17-24](/romans/11-17-24 "Romans 11:17-24 - The Olive Tree and the Grafted Branches")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 12:9 serves as a profound warning and a timeless call to introspection for all who claim to follow God. It reminds us that spiritual privilege is not an entitlement but a sacred trust, demanding faithful stewardship and genuine fruit-bearing. Just as the ancient leaders were held accountable for their treatment of God's prophets and His Son, so too are we accountable for our response to God's Word and His Spirit in our lives. This verse challenges us to examine our hearts: Are we truly producing the fruit of righteousness, love, and obedience, or are we, like the wicked husbandmen, resisting God's will and rejecting His messengers, particularly Jesus Christ Himself? The transfer of the vineyard to "others" is a powerful reminder that God's kingdom will always advance, and He will always find those who are willing to embrace His Son and faithfully serve Him, regardless of their background. This should inspire both humility and a renewed commitment to faithful living.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life have I been entrusted with God's "vineyard" (resources, relationships, influence) and how faithfully am I stewarding them?**
* **How does my response to Jesus Christ, God's beloved Son, reflect my understanding of His authority and my commitment to His kingdom?**
* **What "fruit" is God looking for in my life, and what steps can I take to produce it more consistently?**
* **Considering the consequences faced by the husbandmen, what warnings does this parable offer me about the dangers of spiritual complacency or rebellion?**

### FAQ
**What does "will give the vineyard unto others" mean in a modern context?**

Answer: In a modern context, "will give the vineyard unto others" signifies that God's redemptive plan and the stewardship of His kingdom are not exclusively tied to any single group or ethnicity, but are extended to all who faithfully respond to His call and embrace His Son, Jesus Christ. Historically, this referred to the transfer of spiritual leadership and covenant blessings from the unfaithful Jewish religious establishment to the early Church, which comprised both believing Jews and Gentiles. For believers today, it serves as a reminder that God continues to seek out and empower those who will faithfully serve Him and bear fruit for His kingdom, regardless of their background or previous status. It underscores the universal nature of God's invitation to participate in His work and the principle that faithfulness, not heritage, is the ultimate criterion for stewardship in God's kingdom, as seen in the inclusion of Gentiles into God's family (e.g., [Ephesians 2:11-22](/ephesians/2-11-22 "Ephesians 2:11-22 - Gentiles and Jews Reconciled in Christ")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 12:9 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, the beloved Son of God. The parable's climax, with the owner sending his son who is then murdered, directly foreshadows Jesus' own crucifixion at the hands of the very religious leaders to whom He was speaking. His death, however, was not a defeat but the ultimate act of obedience that secured the new covenant. The "destruction of the husbandmen" points to the divine judgment that would fall upon those who rejected God's Son, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, yet it also signifies the spiritual judgment on all who refuse to acknowledge Christ as Lord. Crucially, the promise that the vineyard "will be given unto others" is fulfilled in the establishment of the Church, the new spiritual Israel, comprised of all who believe in Jesus, both Jew and Gentile. Through Christ's atoning sacrifice and resurrection, the kingdom of God is opened to all nations, and the stewardship of God's truth and mission is entrusted to those who are united with Him by faith, as articulated in passages like [Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission") and [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints"). Thus, Jesus, the rejected Son, becomes the cornerstone of a new spiritual house, and through Him, the vineyard of God's kingdom flourishes with new, faithful stewards.

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

Romans 10:20

But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

Romans 11:12

Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

Romans 9:30

¶ What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

Romans 9:33

As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Luke 19:27

But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay [them] before me.

Matthew 21:43

Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Leviticus 26:27

And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me;