3
But He answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me:
4
The baptism of John--was it from heaven or from men?"
5
And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?'
6
But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet."
7
So they answered that they did not know where it was from.
8
And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."
9
Then He began to tell the people this parable: "A certain man planted a vineyard, leased it to vinedressers, and went into a far country for a long time.
10
Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that they might give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the vinedressers beat him and sent him away empty-handed.
11
Again he sent another servant; and they beat him also, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed.
12
And again he sent a third; and they wounded him also and cast him out.
13
Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. Probably they will respect him when they see him.'