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.

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

  • Rejection of the Son: The tenants' recognition of the son as the "heir" followed by their immediate plot to kill him starkly illustrates the religious leaders' conscious rejection of Jesus, despite His divine authority and identity. This act of profound rebellion against the rightful owner is central to the parable's message.
  • Covetousness and Usurpation: The motivation behind their heinous plan is explicitly stated: "that the inheritance may be ours." This reveals a deep-seated covetousness and a desire to usurp authority and possessions that rightfully belong to another. It speaks to the corrupting power of greed and the pursuit of earthly control over spiritual truth.
  • Prophetic Foreshadowing: This verse serves as a chilling prophecy of Jesus' impending crucifixion. The "husbandmen" (or tenants) symbolize the religious leaders who would orchestrate Jesus' death, believing they could eliminate His claim and maintain their own power and perceived "inheritance" within God's vineyard, Israel.

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:

  • Rejecting God's Authority: Like the tenants, we can be tempted to reject God's rightful claim over our lives out of self-interest or a desire for control.
  • Spiritual Blindness: The tenants recognized the heir but chose malice over submission, illustrating how spiritual blindness can lead to devastating choices.
  • The Consequences of Covetousness: The desire for an "inheritance" not rightfully theirs led to murder, emphasizing that covetousness can lead to grave sin and judgment.

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.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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.

Cross-References

  • 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,