1
And it came to pass, [that] on one of those days, as he was teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon [him], with the elders,
2
And spoke to him, saying, Tell us, By what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?
3
And he answered and said to them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:
4
The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?
5
And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
6
But if we say, From men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.
7
And they answered, that they could not tell whence [it was].
8
And Jesus said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.
9
Then he began to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.
10
And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent [him] away empty.
11
And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and treated [him] shamefully, and sent [him] away empty.