Luke 20:14
But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
But {G1161} when the husbandmen {G1092} saw {G1492} him {G846}, they reasoned {G1260} among {G4314} themselves {G1438}, saying {G3004}, This {G3778} is {G2076} the heir {G2818}: come {G1205}, let us kill {G615} him {G846}, that {G2443} the inheritance {G2817} may be {G1096} ours {G2257}.
But when the tenants saw him, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir; let’s kill him, so that the inheritance will be ours!’
But when the tenants saw the son, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned one with another, saying, This is the heir; let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
Cross-References
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Romans 8:17 (4 votes)
¶ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together. -
Hebrews 1:2 (3 votes)
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; -
Matthew 27:21 (2 votes)
The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. -
Matthew 27:25 (2 votes)
Then answered all the people, and said, His blood [be] on us, and on our children. -
Acts 2:23 (2 votes)
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: -
Psalms 2:8 (2 votes)
Ask of me, and I shall give [thee] the heathen [for] thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth [for] thy possession. -
Luke 19:47 (2 votes)
And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
Commentary
Context of Luke 20:14
This verse is a pivotal moment within the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers (or Tenants), recounted by Jesus to the religious leaders of His day—the chief priests, scribes, and elders (see Luke 20:1). Having sent servants who were beaten and mistreated, the landowner (representing God) finally sends his beloved son (representing Jesus). This particular verse captures the tenants' immediate, malicious reaction upon seeing the son. It directly foreshadows the plot by the Jewish leaders to put Jesus to death, believing it would secure their own religious and political authority, or "inheritance," free from His challenging influence.
Key Themes in Luke 20:14
Linguistic Insights
The KJV phrase "This is the heir" translates the Greek houtos estin ho klēronomos. The term "heir" (Greek: klēronomos) is significant, identifying Jesus not merely as a prophet or messenger, but as the legitimate, ultimate Son and inheritor of all things, as later affirmed in Hebrews 1:2. The tenants' swift decision to "kill him" (Greek: apokteinō) underscores their deliberate and murderous intent, revealing the depth of their spiritual blindness and malice. Their desire for "the inheritance" (Greek: klēronomia) highlights the earthly, self-serving nature of their ambition, contrasting sharply with the spiritual inheritance offered through Christ.
Prophetic Significance and Application
Luke 20:14 is a powerful moment in Jesus' teaching, revealing not only the historical rejection He would face but also timeless truths about humanity's rebellion against God. The parable's conclusion, where the vineyard owner destroys the wicked tenants and gives the vineyard to others (Luke 20:16), signifies the transfer of God's favor from the unfaithful religious establishment to those who would receive Christ and bear spiritual fruit. For us today, this verse serves as a sober warning against:
Ultimately, this verse calls us to recognize Jesus as the true Heir, the Son of God, and to respond to His authority and His invitation with faith and obedience, rather than rebellion and rejection, so that we may truly become heirs with Him.
Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.