The Parable of the Landlord Mark 12:1-12

The Parable

The Meaning The vineyard is a type of Israel –Isaiah 5:1, 3 “Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill…And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard.”

The Meaning The parable is directed at the leadership –Mark 11:27 “And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him…” –“And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away.”

The Meaning They become representative of the willful rebellion of the nation

–2 Chronicles 36:14-16 “All the officers of the priests and the people likewise were exceedingly unfaithful, following all the abominations of the nations. And they polluted the house of the LORD that he had made holy in Jerusalem. The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD rose against his people, until there was no remedy.”

–Matthew 23:34-35 “Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.”

The Message Their rebellion extends to the Son of the vineyard owner –Beloved Son Baptism (Mark 1:11) Transfiguration (Mark 9:7) –They can’t possibly believe that the owner will leave them alone can they? May think that he will give up Shows their utter sinfulness

The Message The old tenants are destroyed

–Luke 19:41-44 “And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.’”

The Message The vineyard is given to those who accept the Son –Word play between son (ben) and stone (eben) –Acts 13:46 “Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.”

–1 Peter 2:7-10 “So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,’ and ‘A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.’ They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

Application God is patient –Exodus 34:6 “The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…’” –2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

Application But we can try His patience –As a church 1 Peter 4:17 “For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God…” –As believers

–Matthew 4:5-7 “Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you,” and “On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.”’ Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”’”

–Hebrews 12:4-6 “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.’”

Application –As non-believers 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

1 Peter 4:17-18 “For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”