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.'
15
So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?