4
was the baptism of John
1from heaven or from man? ”
5
And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven, ’ he will say,
2‘Why did you not believe him? ’
6
But if we say, ‘From man, ’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was
3a prophet. ”
7
So they answered that they did not know where it came from.
8
And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. ”
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
9 4And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted
5a vineyard and
6let it out to tenants and
7went into another country for a long while.
10
When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that
8they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard.
9But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed.
11
10And
11he sent another servant. But they also beat and
12treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed.
12
13And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out.
13
Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my
14beloved son; perhaps they will respect him. ’
14
But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves,
15‘This is the heir.
16Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours. ’