Mark 12:1

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Mark 12:1 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a wine vat, and built a watchtower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey.

King James Version KJV

And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.

American Standard Version ASV

And he began to speak unto them in parables. A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a pit for the winepress, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And he gave them teaching in the form of stories. A man had a vine-garden planted, and put a wall about it, and made a place for crushing out the wine, and put up a tower, and let it out to field-workers, and went into another country.

Free Bible Version FBV

Then Jesus began to speak to them using illustrated stories. “Once there was a man who planted a vineyard. He put a fence around it, dug a pit for a winepress, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to some farmers, and left on a journey.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And he began to speake vnto them in parables, A certaine man planted a vineyard, and copassed it with an hedge, and digged a pit for the winepresse, and built a tower in it, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a strange countrey.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And he began to speak to them in similes: 'A man planted a vineyard, and put a hedge around, and digged an under-wine-vat, and built a tower, and gave it out to husbandmen, and went abroad;

World English Bible WEB

He began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the wine press, built a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And he began to speak to them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it , and digged a place for the wine-vat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And he began to speak to them in parables: A certain man planted a vineyard and made a hedge about it, and dug a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it to husbandmen; and went into a far country.

Translation for Translators T4T

Then Jesus told those Jewish leaders a parable. He wanted to show what God would do to those who rejected the former prophets and himself. He said, “A certain man planted a vineyard. He built a fence around it in order to protect it. He made a stone tank to collect the juice that they would press out of the grapes. He also built a tower for someone to sit in to guard his vineyard. Then he leased the vineyard to some men to care for it and to give him some of the grapes in return. Then he went away to another country.

Plain English Version PEV

After that, Jesus told them all a picture story. He said, “A man planted some fruit trees in his garden. Then he built a strong fence around it, and he made all the things he needed to look after those trees properly. Then he got some men to look after those trees for him. They agreed to give him some of the fruit from that garden, instead of paying rent money for it. After that, the owner went away to another country.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Mark 12:1

BAB

Word Study

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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Mark 12:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK και ηρξατο αυτοις εν παραβολαις λεγειν αμπελωνα εφυτευσεν ανθρωπος και περιεθηκεν φραγμον και ωρυξεν υποληνιον και ωκοδομησεν πυργον και εξεδοτο αυτον γεωργοις και απεδημησεν

και kai G2532 and Conj

ηρξατο archomai G756 to rule/begin Verb-AMI-3S

αυτοις autos G846 it/s/he Pron-DPM

εν en G1722 in/on/among Prep

παραβολαις parabolē G3850 parable Noun-DPF

λεγειν legō G3004 to say Verb-PAN

αμπελωνα ampelōn G290 vineyard Noun-ASM

εφυτευσεν phuteuō G5452 to plant Verb-AAI-3S

ανθρωπος anthrōpos G444 a human Noun-NSM

και kai G2532 and Conj

περιεθηκεν peritithēmi G4060 to put on Verb-AAI-3S

φραγμον phragmos G5418 fence Noun-ASM

και kai G2532 and Conj

ωρυξεν orussō G3736 to dig Verb-AAI-3S

υποληνιον hupolēnion G5276 trough Noun-ASN

και kai G2532 and Conj

ωκοδομησεν oikodomeō G3618 to build Verb-AAI-3S

πυργον purgos G4444 tower Noun-ASM

και kai G2532 and Conj

εξεδοτο ekdidōmi G1554 to lease Verb-2AMI-3S

αυτον autos G846 it/s/he Pron-ASM

γεωργοις geōrgos G1092 farmer Noun-DPM

και kai G2532 and Conj

απεδημησεν apodēmeō G589 to go abroad Verb-AAI-3S

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Mark 12:1

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

ηρξατο archomai G756 "to rule/begin" Verb-AMI-3S

To rule or begin means to commence something in order of time, like in Mark 10:42 and Romans 15:12. It can also mean to start something new.

Definition: ἄρχω [in LXX for חָלַל, מָשַׁל, etc. ;] __1. to begin. __2. to rule (see DCG, ii, 538b.): with genitive, Mrk.10:42, Rom.15:12. Mid., to begin: before ἀπό, Mat.16:21 20:8, Luk.14:18 23:5 24:27, 47, Jhn.8:9, Act.1:22 8:35 10:37, 1Pe.4:17; with inf., an Aramaic pleonasm, Mrk.1:45 2:23 5:17, Luk.3:8, al. (see M, Pro.14:1-35 f.; Dalman, Words, 27; MM, see word) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 84 NT verses. KJV: (rehearse from the) begin(-ning) See also: 1 Peter 4:17; Luke 23:30; Matthew 26:74.

αυτοις autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-DPM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.

εν en G1722 "in/on/among" Prep

This word is a preposition that means in, on, or among something. It's used in many places, like Matthew 7:3 and Luke 7:37, to describe a location or relationship. It can also mean by, with, or during.

Definition: ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). __I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; after verbs of motion, instead of εἰς (constructio praegnans, a usage extended in late Gk. beyond the limits observed in cl.; cf. Bl., §41, 1; M, Th., 12), ἀποστέλλω . . . ἐν, Mat.10:16. δέδωκεν ἐν τ. χειρί (cf. τιθέναι ἐν χερσί, Hom., Il., i, 441, al.), Jhn.3:35; id. after verbs of coming and going (not in cl.), εἰσῆλθε, Luk.9:46; ἐξῆλθεν, Luk.7:17. __II. Of state, condition, form, occupation, etc.: ἐν ζωῇ, Rom.5:10; ἐν τ. θανάτῳ, 1Jn.3:14; ἐν πειρασμοῖς, 1Pe.1:6; ἐν εἰρήνῃ, Mrk.5:25; ἐν δόξῃ, Php.4:19; ἐν πραΰτητι, Jas.3:13; ἐν μυστηρίῳ, 1Co.2:7; ἐν τ. διδαχῇ, Mrk.4:2; of a part as contained in a whole, ἐν τ. ἀμπέλῳ, Jhn.15:4; ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι, Rom.12:4; of accompanying objects or persons (simple dative in cl.), with, ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:25; ἐν δέκα χιλιάσιν, Luk.14:31 (cf. Ju 14, Act.7:14); similarly (cl.), of clothing, armour, arms, ἐν στολαῖς, Mrk.12:38; ἐν ἐσθῆτι λαμπρᾷ, Jas.2:2; ἐν μαξαίρῃ, Luk.22:49; ἐν ῥάβδῳ, 1Co.4:21 (cf. ἐν τόξοις, Xen., Mem., 3, 9, 2); of manner (cl.), ἐν τάχει (= ταχέως), Luk.18:8 (cf. Bl., §41, 1); of spiritual influence, ἐν πνεύματι, Rom.8:9; ἐν π. ἀκαθάρτῳ, Mrk.1:23; of the mystical relation of the Christian life and the believer himself, to God and Christ (cf. ICC, Ro., 160f.; Mayor on Ju 1; M, Pr., 103): ἐν Χριστῷ, Rom.3:24, 6:11, 1Co.3:1, 4:10, 2Co.12:2, Gal.2:17, Eph.6:21, Col.4:7, 1Th.4:16, al. __III. Of the agent, instrument or means (an extension of cl. ἐν of instr.—see LS, see word Ill—corresponding to similar use of Heb. בְּ), by, with: ἐν ὑμῖν κρίνεται ὁ κόσμος (= cl. παρά, C. dative), 1Co.6:2; ἐν τ. ἄρχοντι τ. δαιμονίων, Mat.9:34; ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:22; ἐν ὕδατι, Mat.3:11, al.; ἐν μαχαίρᾳ ἀποκτενεῖ (cf. the absol. ἐν μ., ἐν ῥάβδῳ, supr., II, which some would classify here), Rev.13:10 (cf. 6:8). Allied to this usage and distinctly Semitic are the following: ἠγόρασας . . . ἐν τ. αἵματι σου (cf. BDB, see word בְּ, III, 3), Rev.5:9; ὁμολογεῖν ἐν (= Aram. אודי בּ; cf. McNeile on Mt, I.with; M, Pr., 104), Mat.10:32, Luk.12:8; ὀμνύναι ἐν (= cl. accusative, so Jas.5:12), Mat.5:34, al.; also at the rate of, amounting to, Mrk.4:8 (WH; vv. ll., εἰς, ἒν), Act.7:14 (LXX). __IV. Of time, __(a) in or during a period: ἐν τ. ἡμέρᾳ (νυκτί), Jhn.11:9, al.; ἐν σαββάτῳ, Mat.12:2, al.; ἐν τῷ μεταξύ, meanwhile, Jhn.4:31; __(b) at the time of an event: ἐν τ. παρουσίᾳ, 1Co.15:23; ἐν τ. ἀναστάσει, Mat.22:28; __(with) with art. inf., __(α) present (so sometimes in cl., but not as in NT = ἕως; V. M, Pr., 215), while: Mat.13:4, Mrk.6:48, Gal.4:18, al.; __(β) aor., when, after: Luk.9:36, al.; __(d) within (cl.): Mat.27:40, __V. In composition: (1) meaning: (a) with adjectives, it signifies usually the possession of a quality, as ἐνάλιος, ἐν́δοξος; (b) with verbs, continuance in (before ἐν) or motion into (before εἰς), as ἐμμένω, ἐμβαίνω. (ii) Assimilation: ἐν becomes ἐμ- before β, μ, π, φ, ψ; ἐγ- before γ, κ, ξ, χ; ἐλ- before λ. But in the older MSS of NT, followed by modern editions, assimilation is sometimes neglected, as in ἐνγράφω, ἐγκαινίζω, etc. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2120 NT verses. KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 15:17; 1 Peter 1:2.

παραβολαις parabolē G3850 "parable" Noun-DPF

A parable is a story that teaches a moral lesson by comparing two things. Jesus often used parables in his teachings, like the parable of the fig tree in Matthew 24:32.

Definition: παραβολή, -ῆς, ἡ (παραβάλλω), [in LXX (cf. McNeile, Mt., 185): Num.23:7, Deu.28:37, Psa.44:14, Pro.1:6, Eze.12:22, al. (מָשַׁל), Sir.47:17 (חִידָה), al. mutt. in Sir, Wis.5:3 ;] __1. a placing beside, juxtaposition (Polyb., al.). __2. a comparing, comparison (Plat., Arist., al.). __3. a comparison, illustration, analogy, figure (Arist., al.) : Mat.24:32, Mrk.3:23, Heb.9:9 11:19; specif. of the pictures and narratives drawn from nature and human life which are characteristic of the synoptic teaching of our Lord, a parable: Mat.13:3, 10 Mrk.4:2, 10, Luk.8:4, 9-11, al.; with genitive ref., Mat.13:18, 36 __4 4 Like Heb. מָשַׁל (1Ki.10:12, Pro.1:6, Sir.3:29, al.), = παροιμία, a proverb or gnomic saying: Luk.4:23 5:36 6:39 SYN.: παροιμία (see Abbott, Essays, 82 ff.) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 48 NT verses. KJV: comparison, figure, parable, proverb See also: Hebrews 9:9; Mark 4:13; Hebrews 11:19.

λεγειν legō G3004 "to say" Verb-PAN

This word means to say or speak, and it is used by Jesus and others in the New Testament to share teachings and tell stories. It appears in Matthew 9:34 and John 1:29.

Definition: λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] __1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. __2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of writing, 2Co.8:8, Php.4:11, al.; λέγει ἡ γραφή, Rom.4:3, Jas.2:23, al.; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.8:8, 9:33, Jhn.5:34, al.; σὺ λέγεις (a non-committal phrase; Swete, Mk., 359, 369f.), Mat.27:11, Mrk.15:2, Luk.23:3, Jhn.18:37; with dative of person(s), before orat. dir., Mat.8:20, Mrk.2:17, al. mult.; id. before ὅτι, Mat.3:9, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, etc., Mrk.4:41, Jhn.11:56, Heb.9:5, al.; to mean (cl.), Mrk.14:71, Jhn.6:71, 1Co.10:29, al.; to call, name, Mrk.10:18; pass., Mat.9:9, Mrk.15:7, al (cf. ἀντι-, δια- (-μαι), προ-, συλ-λέγω). SYN.: λαλέω, which refers to the utterance, as λέγω to the meaning of what is said, its correspondence with thought (Tr., Syn., Ixxvi; Thayer, see word λαλέω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1988 NT verses. KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 6:2; Acts 19:3.

αμπελωνα ampelōn G290 "vineyard" Noun-ASM

A vineyard is a place where grapes are grown, like the one in Matthew 20:1 and Luke 13:6. The Bible uses this word to describe a specific location. It is translated as 'vineyard'.

Definition: ἀμπελών, -ῶνος, ὁ (ἄμπελος), [in LXX for כֶּרֶם ;] a vineyard: Mat.20:1 ff. Mat.21:28 ff, Luk.13:6 20:9 ff., 1Co.9:7. Æschin., 49, 13; Diod., al.; see MM, VGT, see word; LS, see word ἀμπελουργεῖον.) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 21 NT verses. KJV: vineyard See also: 1 Corinthians 9:7; Mark 12:9; Matthew 21:41.

εφυτευσεν phuteuō G5452 "to plant" Verb-AAI-3S

To plant means to set something in the earth to grow, like a seed or a tree. Jesus and Paul used this word to describe spiritual growth and teaching.

Definition: φυτεύω (φυτόν, a plant, φύω), [in LXX chiefly for נָטַע, also for שָׁתַל, etc. ;] to plant: Luk.17:28, 1Co.3:6-8; with accusative, φυτείαν, Mat.15:13; ἀμπελῶνα, Mat.21:33, Mrk.12:1, Luk.20:9, 1Co.9:7; pass., before ἐν, Luk.13:6 17:6.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 11 NT verses. KJV: plant See also: 1 Corinthians 3:6; Luke 17:6; Matthew 21:33.

ανθρωπος anthrōpos G444 "a human" Noun-NSM

This word means a human being, and is used in the Bible to describe people, like in John 16:21 and Romans 7:1.

Definition: ἄνθρωπος, -ου, ὁ, [in LXX chiefly for אִישׁ ,אָדָם, also for אֱנוֹשׁ, etc. ;] man: __1. generically, a human being, male or female (Lat. homo): Jhn.16:21; with art., Mat.4:4 12:35, Mrk.2:27, Jhn.2:25, Rom.7:1, al; disting. from God, Mat.19:6, Jhn.10:33, Col.3:23, al.; from animals, etc., Mat.4:19, Luk.5:10, Rev.9:4, al.; implying human frailty and imperfection, 1Co.3:4; σοφία ἀνθρώπων, 1Co.2:5; ἀνθρώπων ἐπιθυμίαι, 1Pe.4:2; κατὰ ἄνθρωπον περιπατεῖν, 1Co.3:3; κατὰ ἄ. λέγειν (λαλεῖν), Rom.3:5, 1Co.9:8; κατὰ ἄ- λέγειν, Gal.3:15 (cf. 1Co.15:32, Gal.1:11); by meton., of man's nature or condition, ὁ ἔσω (ἔξω) ἄ., Rom.7:22, Eph.3:16, 2Co.4:16 (cf. 1Pe.3:4); ὁ παλαιὸς, καινὸς, νέος ἄ., Rom.6:6, Eph.2:15 4:22, 24 Col.3:9, 10; joined with another subst., ἄ. ἔμπορος, a merchant, Mat.13:45 (WH, txt. om. ἄ.); οἰκοδεσπότης, Mat.13:52; βασιλεύς, 18:23; φάγος, 11:19; with name of nation, Κυρηναῖος, Mat.27:32; Ἰουδαῖος, Act.21:39; Ῥωμαῖος, Act.16:37; pl. οἱ ἄ., men, people: Mat.5:13, 16 Mrk.8:24, Jhn.4:28; οὐδεὶς ἀνθρώπων, Mrk.11:2, 1Ti.6:16. __2. Indef., ἄ. = τις, some one, a man: Mat.17:14, Mrk.12:1, al.; τις ἄ., Mat.18:12, Jhn.5:5, al.; indef. one (Fr. on), Rom.3:28, Gal.2:16, al.; opposite to women, servants, etc., Mat.10:36 19:10, Jhn.7:22, 23. __3. Definitely, with art., of some particular person; Mat.12:13, Mrk.3:5, al.; οὗτος ὁ ἄ., Luk.14:30; ὁ ἄ οὗτος, ἐκεῖνος, Mrk.14:71, Mat.12:45; ὁ ἄ. τ. ἀνομίας, 2Th.2:3; ἄ τ. θεοῦ (of Heb. אִישׁ אֱלֹהִים), 1Ti.6:11, 2Ti.3:17, 2Pe.1:21; ὁ υἰὸς τοῦ ἀ., see: υἱός. SYN.: ἀνήρ, which see (and cf. MM, VGT, 44; Cremer, 103, 635). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 503 NT verses. KJV: certain, man See also: 1 Corinthians 1:25; Acts 22:25; 1 Peter 1:24.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

περιεθηκεν peritithēmi G4060 "to put on" Verb-AAI-3S

To put on means to place something around or on someone, like clothes or a hedge. In 1 Corinthians 12:23, it metaphorically means to bestow or confer something.

Definition: περι-τίθημι [in LXX for נָתַן, שׂוּם, etc. ;] to place or put around: with accusative and dative, Mat.21:33 27:48, Mrk.12:1 15:36, Jhn.19:29; of garments, etc., to put on: Mat.27:28 Mrk.15:17 (Sir.6:31). Metaphorical, like περιβάλλω, to bestow, confer (Thuc., al., Est.1:20): 1Co.12:23.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 8 NT verses. KJV: bestow upon, hedge round about, put about (on, upon), set about See also: 1 Corinthians 12:23; Mark 15:36; Matthew 27:48.

φραγμον phragmos G5418 "fence" Noun-ASM

A fence or barrier, either physical or metaphorical, like the hedge in Matthew 21:33 or the partition in Ephesians 2:14. It separates or divides something, providing a boundary or enclosure.

Definition: φραγμός, -oῦ, ὁ (φράσσω), [in LXX chiefly for גָּדֵר, גְּדֵרָה, also for גְּדֵרָה, etc. ;] __1. prop., a fencing in (Soph., OT, 1387). __2. = φράγμα, a fence: Mat.21:33, Mrk.12:1, Luk.14:23. Metaphorical, μεσότοιχον (which see) τοῦ φ., genitive epexeg., Eph.2:14 (see Ellic., in l).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 4 NT verses. KJV: hedge (+ round about), partition See also: Ephesians 2:14; Mark 12:1; Matthew 21:33.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

ωρυξεν orussō G3736 "to dig" Verb-AAI-3S

To dig means to burrow in the ground, as seen in Jesus' parable in Matthew 21:33. It involves excavating or making a hole in the earth. The Bible uses this word to describe physical labor.

Definition: ὀρύσσω [in LXX chiefly for חָפַר also for כָּרָה, etc. ;] to dig: with accusative, ληνόν, Mat.21:33; ὁπολήνιον, Mrk.12:1; γῆν, Mat.25:18 (cf. δι-, ἐξ-ορύσσω).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3 NT verses. KJV: dig See also: Mark 12:1; Matthew 21:33; Matthew 25:18.

υποληνιον hupolēnion G5276 "trough" Noun-ASN

A trough or vessel under a winepress, like in Mark 12:1, that catches the juice of the grapes. It was a common part of wine production in biblical times, as seen in Joel 3:13 and Haggai 2:17.

Definition: ὑπολήνιον, -ου, τό (ὑπό, ληνός), [in LXX: Jol.3:13 (4:13), Hag.2:17, (16), Zec.14:10, Isa.16:10 (יֶקֶב) * ;] a vessel or trough beneath a winepress to receive the juice (RV, a pit for the winepress): Mrk.12:1 (see Swete, in l, and cf. ληνός).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: winefat See also: Mark 12:1.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

ωκοδομησεν oikodomeō G3618 "to build" Verb-AAI-3S

To build or construct something, like a house, is the meaning of this word. In Luke 11:48 and 1 Peter 2:7, it refers to building or confirming something, whether physical or spiritual.

Definition: οἰκοδομέω, -ῶ (οἰκοδόμος), [in LXX chiefly for בָּנָה ;] to build a house, to build: absol., Luk.11:48 14:30 17:28; οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, the builders (as Psa.118:22, בָּנָה), Mat.21:42, Mrk.12:10, Luk.20:17, 1Pe.2:7" (LXX) ; ἐ π ̓ ἀλλότριον θεμέλιον οἰ., proverb., Rom.15:20; with accusative of thing(s), Gal.2:18; πύργον), Mat.21:33, Mrk.12:1, Luk.14:28; ἀποθήκας, Luk.12:18; ναόν, Mrk.14:58; pass., Jhn.2:20; οἰκία, Luk.6:48; with accusative of thing(s) before dative of person(s) (cf. Gen.8:20, Eze.16:24), Luk.7:5, Act.7:47, 49; accusative before ἐπί, Mat.7:24, 26 Luk.6:49; πόλιν ἐπ ̓ ὄρους, Luk.4:29; of rebuilding, or restoring, Mat.23:29 26:61 27:40, Mrk.15:29, Luk.11:47, Metaphorical, τ. ἐκκλησίαν, Mat.16:18; of the growth of Christian character (cf. בָּנָה, in Psa.28:5, Jer.24:6, al.), to build up (AV, edify): absol., Act.20:32, 1Co.8:1 10:23; with accusative of person(s), 1Co.14:4, 1Th.5:11; pass., Act.9:31, 1Co.14:17, 1Pe.2:5; of blameworthy action (AV, embolden), 1Co.8:10 (cf. ἀν-, ἐπ-, συν-οικοδομέω).† οἰκο-δόμος, -ου, ὁ (οἶκος + δέμω, to build), [in LXX for בָּנָה, etc. ;] a builder: Act.4:11.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 38 NT verses. KJV: (be in) build(-er, -ing, up), edify, embolden See also: 1 Corinthians 8:1; Luke 11:48; 1 Peter 2:5.

πυργον purgos G4444 "tower" Noun-ASM

A tower is a high structure, like the one in Luke 13:4 or Matthew 21:33, often used for protection or watchfulness. It can also refer to a castle or fortress.

Definition: πύργος, -ου, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for מִגְדָּל ;] a tower: Luk.13:4; of a watch-tower in a vineyard (Isa.5:2): Mat.21:33, Mrk.12:1, and prob., Luk.14:28.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 4 NT verses. KJV: tower See also: Luke 13:4; Mark 12:1; Matthew 21:33.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

εξεδοτο ekdidōmi G1554 "to lease" Verb-2AMI-3S

To lease or let something out, like in Matthew 21:33 and Mark 12:1 where a vineyard is rented out to tenants.

Definition: ἐκ-δίδωμι [in LXX for נָתַן, etc. ;] __1. to surrender, give up, give out. __2. to let out for hire (Hdt.); mid. (as frequently in π.; see MM, Exp., xii); to let out to one's advantage, Mat.21:33, 41, Mrk.12:1, Luk.20:9.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 4 NT verses. KJV: let forth (out) See also: Luke 20:9; Matthew 21:33; Matthew 21:41.

αυτον autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-ASM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

γεωργοις geōrgos G1092 "farmer" Noun-DPM

This word means a farmer or a person who works with the land. It is used in the Bible to describe people who grow crops, like in 2 Timothy 2:6. It can also be used to describe God as a farmer, like in Matthew 21:33-35.

Definition: γεωργός, -οῦ, ὁ (γῆ, ἔργω = ἔρδω, to do), [in LXX for אִכָּר, etc. ;] __1. a husbandman: 2Ti.2:6, Jas.5:7. __2. a vine-dresser (cf. ἀμπελουργός, Luk.13:7): Mat.21:33-35, 38, 40, 41, Mrk.12:1, 2 7, 9, Luk.20:9, 10 14, 16, Jhn.15:1.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 17 NT verses. KJV: husbandman See also: 2 Timothy 2:6; Mark 12:2; James 5:7.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

απεδημησεν apodēmeō G589 "to go abroad" Verb-AAI-3S

To travel to a foreign land, as in Matthew 21:33 and Luke 15:13, where a son goes to a far country.

Definition: ἀπο-δημέω, -ῶ (ἀπόδημος), [in LXX: Eze.19:3 A * ;] to be or go abroad (M, Pr., 130, 2): Mat.21:33 25:14-15, Mrk.12:1, Luk.15:13 20:9.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 6 NT verses. KJV: go (travel) into a far country, journey See also: Luke 15:13; Matthew 21:33; Matthew 25:15.

Study Notes — Mark 12:1

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Mark 12:1 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Mark 12:1
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Mark 12:1
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Mark 12:1
Trapp's Commentary on Mark 12:1
Ellicott's Commentary on Mark 12:1
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Mark 12:1
Cambridge Bible on Mark 12:1
Barnes' Notes on Mark 12:1
Sermons on Mark 12:1

Context — The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

1Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a wine vat, and built a watchtower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey.

2At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. 3But they seized the servant, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Isaiah 5:1–4	I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. What more could I have done for My vineyard than I already did for it? Why, when I expected sweet grapes, did it bring forth sour fruit?
2	Mark 13:34	It is like a man going on a journey who left his house, put each servant in charge of his own task, and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch.
3	Song of Solomon 8:11–12	Solomon had a vineyard in Baal-hamon. He leased it to the tenants. For its fruit, each was to bring a thousand shekels of silver. But my own vineyard is mine to give; the thousand shekels are for you, O Solomon, and two hundred are for those who tend its fruit.
4	Mark 4:2	And He taught them many things in parables, and in His teaching He said,
5	Matthew 25:14	For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions.
6	Romans 11:17–24	Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will certainly not spare you either. Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut from a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into one that is cultivated, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
7	Psalms 80:8–16	You uprooted a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and transplanted it. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches. It sent out its branches to the Sea, and its shoots toward the River. Why have You broken down its walls, so that all who pass by pick its fruit? The boar from the forest ravages it, and the creatures of the field feed upon it. Return, O God of Hosts, we pray! Look down from heaven and see! Attend to this vine— the root Your right hand has planted, the son You have raised up for Yourself. Your vine has been cut down and burned; they perish at the rebuke of Your countenance.
8	Mark 4:33–34	With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them, to the extent that they could understand. He did not tell them anything without using a parable. But privately He explained everything to His own disciples.
9	Acts 7:38	He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us.
10	Romans 3:1–2	What, then, is the advantage of being a Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.

Mark 12:1 Summary

This verse is about a story Jesus told to help people understand God's love for them. God is like the owner of a vineyard, who planted it and gave it everything it needed to thrive, as we see in Psalm 80:8-13. He then trusted it to the care of tenants, who represent the leaders of Israel, and expected them to produce good fruit, just like we are expected to produce good fruit in our lives, as seen in Matthew 7:17-20. By understanding this parable, we can learn to be faithful stewards of the gifts and talents God has given us.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of the parable of the vineyard in Mark 12:1?

The parable of the vineyard is a story told by Jesus to illustrate God's relationship with His people, as seen in Isaiah 5:1-7, where God is the owner of the vineyard and the people are the tenants.

Who is the man in the parable and what does he represent?

The man in the parable represents God the Father, who planted a vineyard, which is a symbol of His people, Israel, as seen in Jeremiah 2:21, and entrusted it to the care of tenants, who represent the leaders of Israel.

What is the significance of the wall, wine vat, and watchtower in the parable?

The wall, wine vat, and watchtower represent the care and provision that God has given to His people, as seen in Psalm 80:8-13, where God planted a vineyard and gave it everything it needed to thrive.

What can we learn from the fact that the owner rented out the vineyard and went away on a journey?

The fact that the owner rented out the vineyard and went away on a journey illustrates God's trust in His people to care for the vineyard and His expectation of a return on His investment, as seen in Matthew 25:14-30, where the master entrusts his servants with his talents and expects a return.

Reflection Questions

What are the ways in which God has entrusted me with His 'vineyard' and what am I doing to care for it?
How can I be a faithful 'tenant' of God's vineyard and produce the fruit that He expects?
What are the 'walls', 'wine vats', and 'watchtowers' that God has provided for me, and how can I use them to thrive in my spiritual journey?
In what ways can I show my gratitude to God for the trust He has placed in me to care for His vineyard?

Gill's Exposition on Mark 12:1

And he began to speak unto them by parables,.... As of the two sons the father bid go to work in the vineyard; and of the planting of a vineyard, and letting it out to husbandmen, as here; though the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Mark 12:1

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Mark 12:1

MARK CHAPTER 12 In the parable of the vineyard let out to wicked husbandmen Christ foretells the reprobation of the Jews, and the calling of the Gentiles. His reply to the insidious question concerning paying tribute to Caesar. He confutes the Sadducees who questioned him concerning the resurrection. He shows which are the two great commandments of the law. He proposes a difficulty to the scribes concerning the character of Christ. He cautions the people against their ambition and hypocrisy, and values the poor widow’ s two mites above all the gifts of the rich. Ver. 1-12. This parable is related by Matthew, and by Luke also: See Poole on "", and following verses to . tells us, that the rulers of the Jewish church knew that he had spoken this parable against them, and they needs must know it, considering what Matthew adds to this parable, (which Mark and Luke have not), that he also told them, , Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. By the man planting a vineyard, is to be understood God, who, , brought a vine out of Egypt, and cast out the heathen, and planted it in the land of Canaan, and prepared room for it, and caused it to take deep root, and it filled the land. The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars. She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river. It was a noble vine, a right seed, . God planted it in a fruitful hill; he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, ,2. The church of the Jews then was this vineyard, which God hedged by his providence, and gave them all means necessary for the production of fruit. The servants sent to receive the fruit, so abused by the husbandmen, (as ,) were the prophets. is a compendious exposition of these verses. They mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words and misused his prophets. The son mentioned as sent at last was Christ, and the latter part of the parable is prophetical, foretelling what they should do unto him, and also of the ruin of the Jewish nation and church, and the passing of the gospel to the Gentiles, who should more freely believe in Christ, and embrace and receive the gospel: so as they should not obtain their end; but Christ, though rejected by them, should yet be the Head of a far larger and more glorious church, according to a prophecy owned by themselves as a piece of holy writ, . See Poole on "", &c.

Trapp's Commentary on Mark 12:1

1 And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. Ver. 1. A certain man planted, &c.]

Ellicott's Commentary on Mark 12:1

XII. (1-12) And he began to speak unto them by parables.—See Notes on Matthew 21:33-36. The parable which, like that of the Sower, and like that only, is related in all the first three Gospels, was one which had obviously impressed itself strongly, as that had done, on the minds of those who heard it, and was reproduced by independent reporters with an almost textual exactness. A place for the winefat.—Better, simply, a vine vat.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Mark 12:1

CHAPTER XII. The parable of the vineyard let out to wicked husbandmen, 1-12. The Pharisees and Herodians question him about paying tribute to Caesar, 13-17. The Sadducees question him about the resurrection, 18-27. A scribe questions him concerning the chief commandment of the law, 28-34. Christ asks the scribes why the Messiah is called David's son, 35-37. He warns his disciples against the scribes, 38-40. Of the widow that cast two mites into the treasury, 41-44. NOTES ON CHAP. XII. Verse 1. A certain man planted a vineyard] See this parable explained, Matthew 21:33-41.

Cambridge Bible on Mark 12:1

Ch. Mark 12:1-12. Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen 1. by parables] Another Parable spoken at this time was that of “the Two Sons” (Matthew 21:28-32), and “the Marriage of the King’s Son” (Matthew 22:1-14). St Mark relates only the second of these three Parables. A certain man planted a vineyard] Our Lord seems to take up the words of the prophet Isaiah (Mark 5:1-7) and to build His teaching the more willingly on the old foundations, as He was accused of destroying the Law. Comp. Deuteronomy 32:32; Psalms 80:8-16; Ezekiel 15:1-6; Hosea 10:1. By the Vineyard we are to understand the Kingdom of God, as successively realized in its idea (1) by the Jew, and (2) by the Gentile. Trench’s Parables, p. 193. planted] The householder not merely possessed, he “planted” the vineyard. So God planted His spiritual vineyard (a) under Moses (Deuteronomy 32:12-14; Exodus 15:17), (b) under Joshua, when the Jews were established in the land of Canaan. an hedge about it] Not a hedge of thorns, but a stone wall to keep out wild boars (Psalms 80:13), jackals, and foxes (Numbers 22:24; Son 2:15; Nehemiah 4:3). The word only occurs (a) here, (b) in the parallel Matthew 21:33, (c) in Luke 14:23, “go ye into the highways and hedges,” and (d) Ephesians 2:14, “the middle wall of partition.” “Enclosures of loose stone, like the walls of fields in Derbyshire or Westmoreland, everywhere catch the eye on the bare slopes of Hebron, of Bethlehem, and of Olivet.” Stanley, Sinai and Palestine, p. 421. a place for the winefat] “dalf a lake,” Wyclif; “digged a pit to receauve the lycour of the wynepresse,” Geneva; “digged a trough,” Rhemish Version. The original word only occurs here in the N.T., and = the Latin lacus. The winepress, = torcular (Matthew 21:33), consisted of two parts; (1) the press (gath) or trough above, in which the grapes were placed, and there trodden by the feet of several persons amidst singing and other expressions of joy (Judges 9:27; Isaiah 16:10; Jeremiah 25:30); (2) a smaller trough (yekeb), into which the expressed juice flowed through a hole or spout (Nehemiah 13:15; Isaiah 63:2; Lamentations 1:15). Here the smaller trough, which was often hollowed (“digged”) out of the earth or native rock and then lined with masonry, is put for the whole apparatus, and is called a wine-fat. This word occurs also in Isaiah 63:2; Hosea 9:2, marg.; compare press-fat, Haggai 2:16; and fat, Joe 2:24; Joe 3:13. Fat from A. S. fæt = a vessel, vat, according to the modern spelling. Comp. Shakespeare, Ant. and Cleop. ii. 7. 120:— “Come thou monarch of the vine, Plumpie Bacchus, with pinke eyne: In thy fattes our cares be drown’d.” and built a tower] i. e. a “tower of the watchman,” rendered “cottage” in Isaiah 1:8; Isaiah 24:20. Here the watchers and vinedressers lived (Isaiah 5:2), and frequently, with slings, scared away wild animals and robbers.

Barnes' Notes on Mark 12:1

See this parable explained in the notes at Matthew 21:33-46.

Sermons on Mark 12:1

	Sermon	Description
	Vine Branches by Roy Hession	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the disappointment of God and others with the fruit produced by humanity. He references the parable of the vineyard in Mark 12, where tenants
	(Through the Bible) Mark 12 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of knowing and loving God. He emphasizes that God should be the center of our existence and that our lives should revolve arou
	The Parable of the Vineyard and the Tenants by S. Lewis Johnson	In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the parable of the vineyard found in Mark 12:1-12. The parable tells the story of a man who planted a vineyard and entrusted it to tenants. W
	The Willingness to Kill Jesus by Carter Conlon	Carter Conlon delivers a powerful sermon titled 'The Willingness to Kill Jesus,' emphasizing the tragic reality of how religious blindness can lead people to reject and even crucif
	Week of Meetings 10 the Farmer and His Fruit by David Clifford	In this sermon, the speaker begins by reading a passage from the book of Mark about a man who planted a vineyard and let it out to farm workers. The workers mistreated and even kil
	Day 76, Mark 11 by David Servant	David Servant delves into the events surrounding Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, highlighting the disappointment of the crowds expecting an immediate kingdom and the symboli
	A Broken Down City Without Walls by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Saul and his son Jonathan from the Bible. Saul's disobedience to God's commandments and his disregard for the word of the Lord l