5
And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why did ye not believe him?
6
But if we shall say, From men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.
7
And they answered, that they knew not whence [it was].
8
And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
9
And he began to speak unto the people this parable: A man planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country for a long time.
10
And at the season he sent unto the husbandmen a servant, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.
11
And he sent yet another servant: and him also they beat, and handled him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
12
And he sent yet a third: and him also they wounded, and cast him forth.
13
And the lord of the vineyard said, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; it may be they will reverence him.
14
But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned one with another, saying, This is the heir; let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
15
And they cast him forth out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do unto them?