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Mark 12:3

Mark 12:3 in Multiple Translations

But they seized the servant, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed.

And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.

And they took him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.

And they took him, and gave him blows, and sent him away with nothing.

But they grabbed hold of him, beat him up, and sent him away with nothing.

But they tooke him, and beat him, and sent him away emptie.

and they, having taken him, did severely beat [him], and did send him away empty.

They took him, beat him, and sent him away empty.

And they caught him , and beat him and sent him away empty.

Who having laid hands on him, beat him, and sent him away empty.

But after the servant arrived, they grabbed him and beat him, and they did not give him any fruit. Then they sent him away.

But the men in the garden grabbed that work-man, and they beat him up, and they sent him back with nothing.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Mark 12:3

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Mark 12:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK οι δε λαβοντες αυτον εδειραν και απεστειλαν κενον
οι ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NPM
δε de G1161 then Conj
λαβοντες lambanō G2983 to take Verb-2AAP-NPM
αυτον autos G846 it/s/he Pron-ASM
εδειραν derō G1194 to beat up Verb-AAI-3P
και kai G2532 and Conj
απεστειλαν apostellō G649 to send Verb-AAI-3P
κενον kenos G2756 empty Adj-ASM
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Greek Word Reference — Mark 12:3

οι ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NPM
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
δε de G1161 "then" Conj
This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.
Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.
λαβοντες lambanō G2983 "to take" Verb-2AAP-NPM
To take or receive something, like in Matthew 26:26, where Jesus takes bread and breaks it. It can also mean to accept or obtain something, and is often translated as receive or accept in the KJV.
Definition: λαμβάνω, [in LXX chiefly for לקח, also for אחז ,לכד ,נשׂא, etc. ;] __1. to take, lay hold of: absol., Mat.26:26, Mrk.14:22; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.5:40 26:52, al. mult.; with accusative of person(s), Mat.21:35, Mrk.12:3, al.; pleonastic λαβών (M, Pr., 230; Bl., §74, 2), Mat.13:31 14:19, al.; so also indic., Mrk.7:27, Jhn.19:1, 40 Rev.8:5, al.; metaphorically, with accusative of thing(s), ἀφορμήν, Rom.7:8, 11; ὑδόδειγμα, Jas.5:10; id. with accusative of person(s), φόβος, Luk.7:16; πνεῦμα, Luk.9:39; πειρασμός, 1Co.10:13; aoristic pf. (M, Pr., 145, 238; BL, §59, 4), Rev.5:7 8:5, al. __2. to receive: absol., opposite to αἰτεῖν, Mat.7:8, al.; διδόναι, Mat.10:8, Act.20:35; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.27:6, Mrk.10:3o, al. mult.; with accusative of person(s), Jhn.6:21 13:20 19:27, 2Jo.10; ῥαπίσμασιν (a vulgarism; Bl., §38, 3), Mrk.14:65; metaphorically, τ. λόγον, Mat.13:20, Mrk.4:16; τ. μαρτυρίαν, Jhn.3:11; τ. ῥήματα, Jhn.12:48; πρόσωπον (Heb. נָשָׂא פָּנִים, Dalman, Words, 30), Luk.20:21, Gal.2:6; ζωὴν αἰώνιον (Dalman, op. cit., 124f.), Mrk.10:30 (cf. ἀνα-, ἀντι-, συν-αντι- (-μαι), ἀπο-, ἐπι-, κατα-, μετα-, παρα-, συν-παρα-, προ-, προσ-, συν-, συν-περι-, ὑπο-λαμβάνω). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 248 NT verses. KJV: accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up) See also: 1 Corinthians 2:12; John 10:18; 1 Peter 4:10.
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'.
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.
εδειραν derō G1194 "to beat up" Verb-AAI-3P
To flay or scourge means to beat or thrash someone, like the way Jesus was treated in Matthew 21:35 and Mark 12:3.
Definition: δέρω [in LXX: Lev.1:6, 2Ch.29:34; 35:11 (פָּשַׁט hi.)* ;] __1. to skin, flay. __2. (of. Eng. slang, hide) to beat, thrash: with accusative, Mat.21:35, Mrk.12:3, 5, Luk.20:10, 11 22:63, Jhn.18:23, Act.5:40 16:37 22:19; ὡς ἀέρα δέρων, 1Co.9:26; εἰς πρόσωπου δ., 2Co.11:20. Pass., Mrk.13:9, Luk.12:47, 48 (δαρήσεται πολλάς, ὀλίγας, Sc. πληγάς).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 15 NT verses. KJV: beat, smite See also: 1 Corinthians 9:26; Luke 12:48; Matthew 21:35.
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.
απεστειλαν apostellō G649 "to send" Verb-AAI-3P
To send means to set apart or dispatch someone or something on a mission, as seen in Matthew 10:40 and Mark 12:2. This term is used to describe the act of giving someone a task or commission to fulfill.
Definition: ἀπο-στέλλω, [in LXX very freq., almost always for שׁלח ;] prop., to send away, to dispatch on service; __1. to send with a commission, or on service; __(a) of persons: Christ, Mat.10:40; the apostles, 10:16; servants, Mrk.12:2; angels, 13:27; __(b) of things: ὄνος, Mat.21:3; τὸ δρέπανον, Mrk.4:29; τ. λόγον, Act.10:36; τ. ἐπαγγελίαν (i.e. the promised Holy Spirit), Luk.24:49, Rec.; before εἰς, Mat.20:2, Luk.11:49, Jhn.3:17; ὀπίσω, Luk.19:14; ἔμπροσθεν, Jhn.3:28; πρὸ προσώπου, Mat.11:10; πρός, Mat.21:34; with ref. to sender or place of departure: ἀπό, Luk.1:26 (Rec. ὑπό); παρά, Jhn.1:6; ἐκ, ib. 1:19; ὑπό, Act.10:17 (Rec. ἀπό); before inf., Mrk.3:14, al.; ἵνα, Mrk.12:2, al.; εἰς (of purpose), Heb.1:14; without direct obj.: before πρός, Jhn.5:33; λέγων, Jhn.11:3; ἀποστείλας, with indic., Mat.2:16, Act.7:14, Rev.1:1. __2. to send away, dismiss: Luk.4:18, Mrk.5:10 8:26 12:3 (cf. ἐξ-, συν-αποστέλλω). SYN.: πέμπω, the general term. ἀ. "suggests official or authoritative sending" (see Thayer, see word πέμπω; Westc., Jo., 298; Epp. Jo., 125; Cremer, 529; MM, see word). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 129 NT verses. KJV: put in, send (away, forth, out), set (at liberty) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:17; Luke 7:20; 1 Peter 1:12.
κενον kenos G2756 "empty" Adj-ASM
This word means something is empty, either literally or figuratively, as seen in Ephesians 5:6 and Colossians 2:8. It can describe empty words or actions that have no purpose or value. The Bible uses this word to emphasize the importance of meaningful actions.
Definition: κενός, -ή, -όν [in LXX chiefly for רִיק and cognate forms ;] empty (Gen.37:24, Jdg.7:16). Metaphorical, __(a) empty, vain: λόγοι, Eph.5:6; ἀπάτη, Col.2:8; κήρυγμα, πίστις, 1Co.15:14; __(b) vain, fruitless: ἡ χάρις, 1Co.15:10; κόπος, 1Co.15:50; ἡ εἴσοδος, 1Th.2:1; κενά, Act.4:25 (LXX); εἰς κενόν, in vain, to no purpose (Diod., LXX; cl. διὰ κενῆς), 2Co.6:1, Gal.2:2, Php.2:16, 1Th.3:5; __(with) of persons, empty-handed: Mrk.12:3, Luk.1:53 20:10-11; vain, Jas.2:20.† SYN.: μάταιος, of the aim or effect of an action, κ. of its quality (Lft. on Cl. Rom., 1Co., § 7; Tr., Syn., xlix) (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 16 NT verses. KJV: empty, (in) vain See also: 1 Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 5:6; James 2:20.

Study Notes — Mark 12:3

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 1 Thessalonians 2:15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men,
2 Nehemiah 9:26 But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies.
3 Jeremiah 29:26 ‘The LORD has appointed you priest in place of Jehoiada, to be the chief officer in the house of the LORD, responsible for any madman who acts like a prophet—you must put him in stocks and neck irons.
4 Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—
5 2 Chronicles 36:16 But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.
6 Jeremiah 26:20–24 Now there was another man prophesying in the name of the LORD, Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim. He prophesied against this city and against this land the same things that Jeremiah did. King Jehoiakim and all his mighty men and officials heard his words, and the king sought to put him to death. But when Uriah found out about it, he fled in fear and went to Egypt. Then King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt: Elnathan son of Achbor along with some other men. They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who had him put to the sword and his body thrown into the burial place of the common people. Nevertheless, Ahikam son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.
7 Hebrews 11:36–37 Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated.
8 1 Kings 18:4 for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.)
9 Jeremiah 37:15–16 The officials were angry with Jeremiah, and they beat him and placed him in jail in the house of Jonathan the scribe, for it had been made into a prison. So Jeremiah went into a cell in the dungeon and remained there a long time.
10 1 Kings 19:10 “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”

Mark 12:3 Summary

This verse, Mark 12:3, tells us about a group of tenants who were supposed to take care of a vineyard, but instead they treated the owner's servant very badly and sent him away with nothing. This parable helps us understand how some people treated God's messengers in the past, and how we might be treating God's messages in our own lives today (as seen in Matthew 21:33-46). We can learn from this story by recognizing the importance of listening to and obeying God's word, and being faithful servants of God ourselves, as encouraged in Ephesians 6:7.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the tenants in the parable treat the servant so harshly?

The tenants in the parable treated the servant harshly because they wanted to keep the vineyard's fruit for themselves, as seen in Mark 12:3, and this behavior is reflective of the human heart's natural tendency towards sin and rebellion against God, as described in Romans 3:23.

What does the servant in this parable represent?

The servant in Mark 12:3 represents the prophets and messengers of God, who were sent to call God's people to repentance and faith, as seen in Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34, and their rejection by the tenants symbolizes the rejection of God's messengers by the Jewish leaders of Jesus' time.

How does this parable relate to the overall message of the Bible?

This parable in Mark 12:3 is part of a larger narrative that points to Jesus as the ultimate servant and messenger of God, who was rejected and crucified by the very people He came to save, as foretold in Isaiah 53:3 and fulfilled in John 1:11.

What is the significance of the tenants sending the servant away empty-handed?

The tenants sending the servant away empty-handed, as seen in Mark 12:3, signifies their refusal to acknowledge God's authority and their determination to keep the benefits of the vineyard for themselves, which is a picture of the spiritual condition of those who reject God's messengers and refuse to surrender to His will, as warned in Hebrews 10:26-31.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways in which I may be rejecting or ignoring God's messengers and messages in my own life?
  2. How can I ensure that I am responding to God's servants and messengers with humility and obedience, rather than hardness of heart?
  3. In what ways can I be a faithful servant of God, sharing His message of love and redemption with those around me?
  4. What are some areas in my life where I need to surrender to God's will and acknowledge His authority, rather than trying to keep control for myself?

Gill's Exposition on Mark 12:3

And they caught him,.... This clause is left out in the Syriac and Persic versions, though it seems proper to be retained; and denotes the rudeness and violence with which the prophets of the Lord

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Mark 12:3

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.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Mark 12:3

See Poole on ""

Trapp's Commentary on Mark 12:3

2 And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. Ver. 3. And beat him] Properly, they hild (tanned) him; but by a metonymy, they beat him. Sic percutimus vulpem, ut pellis ei detrahatur; so men beat a fox that they may the better skin him. (Äåñù proprie excorio, pellem detraho. Gerhard.) A figure of speech which consists in substituting for the name of a thing the name of an attribute of it or of something closely related. ŒD

Ellicott's Commentary on Mark 12:3

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.

Cambridge Bible on Mark 12:3

3. they caught him] The gradual growth of the outrage is clearly traced: (i) The first servant they “caught, beat, and sent away empty;” (ii) at the second they “cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled;” (iii) the third “they killed.”

Whedon's Commentary on Mark 12:3

3. Beat him, and sent him away empty — Mark minutely describes the gradual climax of their advancing villany. This servant was only beaten and dismissed empty, that is, without any payment or rentage.

Sermons on Mark 12:3

SermonDescription
J.C. Philpot The Lost Sheep Restored by J.C. Philpot Greek Word Studies delves into the meaning of 'kenos,' which signifies emptiness, futility, and lack of effectiveness, whether in material, intellectual, moral, or spiritual aspect
Zac Poonen Driving Out the Money Changers by Zac Poonen This sermon emphasizes the importance of having the mind of Christ and being transformed to think like Him. It highlights the need for zeal for God's house, purity in the church, a
Art Katz Jap-08 God Requires the Past by Art Katz In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and confessing our sins and the sins of our ancestors. He specifically mentions the Jewish people and their
George Fox Epistle 25 by George Fox George Fox emphasizes the importance of walking in the light of God’s love and truth, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith and avoid turning away from the light that
George Fox Epistle 56 by George Fox George Fox preaches about the importance of heeding the light of Christ within, which calls our minds away from worldly lusts and evil desires, and towards God for renewal and wors
T. Austin-Sparks The Voice of Jeremiah (Concluded) V by T. Austin-Sparks T. Austin-Sparks delves into the prophetic ministry, focusing on the inclusive and representative position of Jeremiah, highlighting the various characteristics and features of all
T. Austin-Sparks Abel and the Law of Life by T. Austin-Sparks T. Austin-Sparks delves into the conflict between the soul and the spirit, emphasizing the importance of walking in the spirit rather than in the flesh or soul. He draws parallels

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