What is the meaning of Luke 20:16? He will come “He will come…” (Luke 20:16a) • The landowner in the parable is God Himself. Jesus affirms that God personally intervenes in history (Luke 19:44; Malachi 3:1-2). • His “coming” is not a vague idea; it is the sure arrival of divine judgment, just as in the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37-39) or the destruction of Jerusalem foretold earlier (Luke 19:41-44). • Because Scripture is true and literal, we can count on God acting when His patience has run its course (2 Peter 3:9-10). and kill those tenants “…and kill those tenants…” (Luke 20:16b) • The tenants symbolize the religious leaders who rejected the prophets and, ultimately, the Son (Luke 20:13-15; Acts 7:52). • “Killing” pictures real judgment—seen historically in A.D. 70 when Jerusalem fell (Luke 19:43-44) and pointing ahead to eternal accountability (Hebrews 10:29-31). • God’s holiness demands justice; ignoring or abusing His gracious invitations has severe consequences (Matthew 23:37-38; Romans 2:5). and give the vineyard to others “…and give the vineyard to others.” (Luke 20:16c) • The “vineyard” is the sphere of God’s blessing and kingdom work (Isaiah 5:1-7; Matthew 21:33-41). • “Others” includes the faithful remnant of Israel plus believing Gentiles—forming one new people in Christ (Matthew 21:43; Acts 13:46-48; Romans 11:17-22; 1 Peter 2:9-10). • This transfer is not haphazard; it fulfills God’s covenant promise to bless all nations through Abraham’s Seed (Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:29). When the people heard this “And when the people heard this…” (Luke 20:16d) • The crowd grasped that Jesus was speaking about them and their leaders (Luke 20:19). • Hearing God’s Word always demands a response—either softening in repentance (Acts 2:37) or hardening in resistance (Hebrews 4:2). • Their immediate reaction exposes their hearts (Luke 8:18). “May such a thing never happen!” “…they said, ‘May such a thing never happen!’ ” (Luke 20:16e) • The outcry mirrors Israel’s historic refusal to accept warnings from God’s messengers (Jeremiah 26:8-9). • It reveals a desire to keep the status quo rather than submit to God’s righteous plan (Romans 10:3). • Yet Jesus immediately answers by citing Psalm 118:22, showing that Scripture—not human opinion—sets the agenda (Luke 20:17-18; 1 Peter 2:7-8). summary Luke 20:16 declares God’s certain judgment on unfaithful leaders, His readiness to entrust kingdom privileges to receptive people, and the sobering reality that rejecting the Son brings severe consequences. The verse assures believers that God’s purposes move forward despite human resistance, inviting all who hear to embrace the rightful Lord of the vineyard and bear fruit for His glory. |
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