Mark 12:1-12

Mark 12:1-12

[1] And  he began  unto them  by  parables.  A certain man  planted  a vineyard,  and  set  an hedge about  it, and  digged  a place for the winefat,  and  built  a tower,  and  it  out  to husbandmen,  and  went into a far country.  [2] And  at the season  he sent  to  the husbandmen  a servant,  that  he might receive  from  the husbandmen  of  the fruit  of the vineyard.  [3] they caught  him, and beat  him,  and  sent him away  empty.  [4] And  again  he sent  unto  them  another  servant;  and at him  and wounded him in the head,  and  sent him away  [5] And  he sent  another;  and him  they killed,  and  many  others;  beating some,  and  killing some.  [6] Having  yet  one  son,  his  wellbeloved,  he sent  him  last  unto  them,  saying,  They will reverence  son.  [7] But  those  husbandmen  said  among  themselves,  This  the heir;  come,  let us kill  him,  and  the inheritance  [8] And  they took  him,  and killed  him, and  cast  him out of  the vineyard.  [9] What  therefore  the lord  of the vineyard  do?  he will come  and  destroy  the husbandmen,  and  will give  the vineyard  unto others.  [10] not  read  scripture;  The stone  which  the builders  rejected  is  become  the head  of the corner:  [11] This  the Lord's  doing,  and  marvellous  in  eyes?  [12] And  they sought  to lay hold  on him,  but  feared  the people:  for  they knew  that  he had spoken  the parable  against  them:  and  they left  him,  and went their way. 

What does Mark 12:1-12 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

"The other major example of the concentric [1] pattern in Mark"s story [2] is the series of Jesus" conflicts with the authorities in Jerusalem [3], comprised of seven episodes: Episodes A and A1 involve Jesus" statement of judgment against the authorities (the riddle of the wicked tenants and the warning against the scribes). Episodes B and B1 include a quotation from the psalms followed by a reaction to that citation (the quotations about the cornerstone and David"s son); and episodes C and C1 are both legal discussions about love for God and neighbor (Caesar and God, and love for God and neighbor). Episode D is the central episode; its topic is the resurrection, and its theme illuminates all the episodes: the failure of the authorities to understand either the writings or the power of God." [4]
Matthew"s account of this parable is fuller than Mark"s because Matthew evidently wanted to show the Jews how wicked and irresponsible their leaders were. Mark probably included the story because it contrasts the behavior of Israel"s official servants, the religious leaders, with God"s Servant, Jesus.
"Recent study of the Zenon papyri and of the rabbinic parables has shown that situations very closely analogous to that of the parable actually existed in Palestine both around280 years prior to Jesus" ministry and for some time afterward." [5]