4
Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?"
5
They discussed it with one another, saying, "If we say, "From heaven,' he will say, "Why did you not believe him?'
6
But if we say, "Of human origin,' all the people will stone us; for they are convinced that John was a prophet."
7
So they answered that they did not know where it came from.
8
Then Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."
9
He began to tell the people this parable: "A man planted a vineyard, and leased it to tenants, and went to another country for a long time.
10
When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants in order that they might give him his share of the produce of the vineyard; but the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed.
11
Next he sent another slave; that one also they beat and insulted and sent away empty-handed.
12
And he sent still a third; this one also they wounded and threw out.
13
Then the owner of the vineyard said, "What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.'
14
But when the tenants saw him, they discussed it among themselves and said, "This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance may be ours.'