LUKE 20:9–19, THE PARABLE OF THE TENANT FARMERS
REJECTING THE SON LEADS TO THE LOSS OF GOD’S KINGDOM
Introduction
This parable is spoken in the Temple, immediately after the religious authorities questioned Jesus’ authority. Their challenge was not born of sincere faith but of fear, pride, and self-preservation. Jesus responds, not with direct accusation, but with a parable that unveils salvation history itself. Standing in the very heart of Israel’s worship, Jesus addresses the people while intentionally exposing the hardness of the leaders’ hearts. The parable reveals how God has patiently entrusted his people with grace, how they have repeatedly rejected his messengers, and how the final rejection of the Son will bring judgment—but also a surprising new beginning in God’s plan.
Bible Passage (Luke 20:9–19)
Then he proceeded to tell the people this parable. “A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and then went on a journey for a long time. At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenant farmers to receive some of the produce of the vineyard. But they beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed. So he proceeded to send another servant, but him also they beat and insulted and sent away empty-handed. Then he proceeded to send a third, but this one too they wounded and threw out. The owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I shall send my beloved son; maybe they will respect him.’ But when the tenant farmers saw him they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him that the inheritance may become ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and put those tenant farmers to death and turn over the vineyard to others.” When the people heard this, they exclaimed, “Let it not be so!” But he looked at them and asked, “What then does this scripture passage mean: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? Everyone who falls on that stone will be dashed to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.” The scribes and chief priests sought to lay their hands on him at that very hour, but they feared the people, for they knew that he had addressed this parable to them.
Background
This parable is deeply rooted in Israel’s Scriptures, especially the imagery of the vineyard as God’s chosen people. It follows Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple and the questioning of his authority, making its meaning unmistakably pointed. The vineyard represents God’s covenant with Israel, the tenant farmers symbolize the religious leaders entrusted with shepherding God’s people, and the servants represent the prophets sent again and again throughout history. The sending of the beloved son points directly to Jesus himself. The parable stands at the climax of Jesus’ public teaching in Jerusalem and prepares the listener for the Passion that is about to unfold.
Opening Life Connection
Many conflicts arise not because gifts are lacking, but because people forget that what they possess was entrusted to them, not owned by them. Families, institutions, and even churches suffer when responsibility turns into entitlement. When gratitude disappears, generosity dries up, and when authority is treated as possession rather than service, relationships collapse. This parable confronts that universal human temptation.
Verse-by-Verse / Phrase-by-Phrase Reflection
Jesus begins with a man planted a vineyard, reminding listeners that the vineyard exists because of the owner’s initiative, not the tenants’ effort. Everything begins with God’s grace. When the vineyard is leased to tenant farmers, it shows trust. God entrusts his work to human hands, inviting cooperation, not domination.
When the owner sends servants and they are beaten, insulted, and sent away empty-handed, we hear the painful echo of Israel’s history of rejecting prophets. God’s patience is astonishing; he does not abandon the vineyard after the first rejection.
The turning point comes with I shall send my beloved son. This phrase reveals the heart of God. The Son is not one messenger among many; he is the final, fullest revelation of God’s love. The tenants’ words, this is the heir; let us kill him, expose the ultimate sin: the desire to possess God’s gifts while eliminating God himself.
They threw him out of the vineyard and killed him, foreshadowing Jesus’ crucifixion outside the city walls. Jesus then asks, what will the owner of the vineyard do, forcing listeners to confront the seriousness of rejecting grace. The judgment announced is not arbitrary; it is the natural consequence of persistent refusal.
When Jesus quotes the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, he reveals that rejection does not defeat God’s plan. The rejected Son becomes the foundation of a new people of God. Yet he also warns that the same stone that saves can judge, depending on how it is received.
Jewish Historical and Religious Context
In Jewish tradition, the vineyard was a familiar symbol for Israel, drawn especially from prophetic writings. Leaders were understood as stewards accountable to God for the care of his people. Prophets were often rejected, persecuted, or killed for speaking God’s truth. Jesus places himself deliberately within this prophetic line but goes further, identifying himself as the Son. His listeners immediately grasp the implication, which is why the authorities react with anger and fear. The parable speaks within Judaism while also announcing its fulfillment in Christ.
Catholic Tradition and Teaching
The Church understands this parable as a summary of salvation history and a warning to every generation. Authority in the Church is stewardship, not ownership. The Catechism teaches that God’s Kingdom is entrusted to human cooperation, but always remains God’s gift. Christ, the rejected cornerstone, is the foundation of the Church. Acceptance of him leads to life; rejection leads to spiritual ruin. This parable also affirms that God’s plan will continue, even when some refuse it, because grace cannot be destroyed by human resistance.
Historical or Saintly Illustration
Saint Oscar Romero serves as a modern witness to this Gospel. As a bishop, he spoke prophetically against injustice and violence, calling leaders to accountability before God. Like the servants in the parable, he was rejected and ultimately killed. Yet his death did not silence the truth; it strengthened the faith of the people. His life shows that God’s vineyard continues to bear fruit, even through suffering.
Application to Christian Life Today
This parable invites every believer to examine how they respond to God’s ownership. We are tenants, not masters, of our lives, families, ministries, and possessions. When Christ challenges our habits, calls us to repentance, or asks for change, do we listen—or do we resist? In the Church, leadership must remain service. In families, authority must be exercised with love. In society, power must be accountable to truth. Rejecting Christ does not bring freedom; it brings loss.
Eucharistic Connection
In the Eucharist, the beloved Son is given to us again—not rejected, but received. The same Son whom the tenants killed now offers himself as living bread. Each Communion asks a silent question: will we receive the Son with faith, or will we try to keep the vineyard without surrendering our hearts? Nourished by the cornerstone, we are sent to build our lives on him.
Messages / Call to Conversion
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Everything we have is entrusted by God and must bear fruit for him.
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Repent of resisting God’s voice when it challenges comfort or control.
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Receive Jesus, the beloved Son, with obedience and faith.
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Build life on Christ, the cornerstone, rather than rejecting his authority.
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Make a daily resolution to live as faithful stewards, not possessive owners.
Outline for Preachers
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Background within the Gospel: follows the questioning of Jesus’ authority in the Temple
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Life connection: entitlement versus stewardship
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Key verses and phrases explained: vineyard, beloved son, kill the heir, cornerstone
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Jewish historical and religious context: vineyard symbolism, prophets rejected, leaders as stewards
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Catholic teaching and tradition: stewardship, Christ as cornerstone, accountability before God
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Saintly or historical illustration: St. Oscar Romero and prophetic witness
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Application to life today: faithful use of authority, listening to God’s voice, bearing fruit
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Eucharistic connection: receiving the Son whom the Father sends
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Key messages and call to conversion
