What is the meaning of Luke 20:14? But when the tenants saw the son Jesus’ parable pictures tenant farmers who have already beaten and shamed the owner’s servants (Luke 20:10-12). Now they recognize someone different coming down the road—“the son.” In the story, the landowner represents God the Father and the son clearly points to Jesus, “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature” (Hebrews 1:3). The religious leaders hearing this knew the vineyard was a common Old Testament image for Israel (Isaiah 5:1-7). In real time they were “seeing” the Son walk among them, fulfilling John 1:11: “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” they discussed it among themselves Instead of welcoming the rightful heir, the tenants huddle up and plot. The scene echoes Psalm 2:1-2—“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand…against the LORD and against His Anointed.” The chief priests and Pharisees did exactly this, convening councils to decide “what we are to do, for this Man performs many signs” (John 11:47-53). Rejection of Christ is never merely passive; it involves deliberate reasoning that shuts out God’s claim. and said, “This is the heir.” Astonishingly, the tenants recognize the son’s identity. They know whose authority he carries, yet they reject him. The same contradiction surfaces when the crowd shouts, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matthew 21:9) and days later cries, “Crucify Him!” (Matthew 27:22-23). Hebrews 1:2 affirms Jesus as the appointed “heir of all things,” and Romans 8:17 promises that believers become “co-heirs with Christ.” To reject the heir is to forfeit any share in the inheritance God offers. Let us kill him The parable’s climax predicts the cross. Luke will soon record the leaders’ demand: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” (Luke 23:18). Peter later declares, “This Man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan… and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death” (Acts 2:23). Even murderous intent becomes part of God’s redemptive purpose; yet the responsibility for the choice remains squarely on the tenants. and the inheritance will be ours. The tenants believe that eliminating the son secures the vineyard for themselves. Likewise the Sanhedrin feared losing “both our place and our nation” (John 11:48). Clinging to position, they missed the very kingdom they desired. Jesus warns elsewhere, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). True inheritance comes only through submission to the Son, not through grasping control (1 Peter 1:3-4). summary Luke 20:14 exposes the tragic logic of unbelief: even when people recognize Jesus’ identity, self-interest can drive them to reject Him. The tenants’ plot previews the cross and reveals the futility of trying to seize God’s gifts while shutting out God’s Son. The rightful heir will receive His kingdom, and only those who honor Him share in the inheritance. |
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