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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Mark 12:1 Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a wine vat, and built a watchtower. 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He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. <a href="/nlt/mark/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then Jesus began teaching them with stories: “A man planted a vineyard. He built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country. <a href="/esv/mark/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and leased it to tenants and went into another country. <a href="/bsb/mark/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a wine vat, and built a watchtower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. <a href="/blb/mark/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And He began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard, and placed around it a fence, and dug a wine vat, and built a tower, and rented it out to farmers, and traveled abroad. <a href="/kjv/mark/12.htm">King James Bible</a> And he began to speak 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 let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. <a href="/nkjv/mark/12.htm">New King James Version</a> Then He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. <a href="/nasb_/mark/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it, and dug a vat under the wine press and built a tower, and leased it to vine-growers and went on a journey. <a href="/nasb/mark/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> And He began to speak to them in parables: &#8220A man PLANTED A VINEYARD AND PUT A WALL AROUND IT, AND DUG A VAT UNDER THE WINE PRESS AND BUILT A TOWER, and rented it out to vine-growers and went on a journey. <a href="/nasb77/mark/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And He began to speak to them in parables: “A man PLANTED A VINEYARD, AND PUT A WALL AROUND IT, AND DUG A VAT UNDER THE WINE PRESS, AND BUILT A TOWER, and rented it out to vine-growers and went on a journey. <a href="/lsb/mark/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And He began to speak to them in parables: “A man PLANTED A VINEYARD AND PUT A WALL AROUND IT, AND DUG A VAT UNDER THE WINE PRESS AND BUILT A TOWER, and rented it out to vine-growers and went on a journey. <a href="/amp/mark/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Jesus began to speak to them [the chief priests, scribes and elders who were questioning Him] in parables: “A man PLANTED A VINEYARD AND PUT A WALL AROUND IT, AND DUG A PIT FOR THE WINE PRESS AND BUILT A TOWER; and he rented it out to tenant farmers and left the country. <a href="/csb/mark/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug out a pit for a winepress, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and went away. <a href="/hcsb/mark/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then He began to speak to them in parables: &#8220A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug out a pit for a winepress, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and went away. <a href="/asv/mark/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he began to speak unto them in parables. A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a pit for the winepress, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country. <a href="/cev/mark/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Jesus then told them this story: A farmer once planted a vineyard. He built a wall around it and dug a pit to crush the grapes in. He also built a lookout tower. Then he rented out his vineyard and left the country. <a href="/erv/mark/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he began to speak unto them in parables. A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a pit for the winepress, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country. <a href="/gwt/mark/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then, using this illustration, Jesus spoke to them. He said, "A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, made a vat for the winepress, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to vineyard workers and went on a trip. <a href="/gnt/mark/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> Then Jesus spoke to them in parables: "Once there was a man who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a hole for the wine press, and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to tenants and left home on a trip. <a href="/isv/mark/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables. "A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the wine press, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and went abroad. <a href="/net/mark/12.htm">NET Bible</a> Then he began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard. He put a fence around it, dug a pit for its winepress, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and went on a journey. <a href="/nheb/mark/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He began to speak to them in parables. "A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the winepress, built a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went on a journey. <a href="/wbt/mark/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he began to speak to them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a place for the wine-vat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. <a href="/wey/mark/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Then He began to speak to them in figurative language. "There was once a man," He said, "who planted a vineyard, fenced it round, dug a pit for the wine-tank, and built a strong lodge. Then he let the place to vine-dressers and went abroad.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/mark/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a wine vat, and built a watchtower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. <a href="/web/mark/12.htm">World English Bible</a> He began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the wine press, built a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/mark/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And He began to speak to them in allegories: “A man planted a vineyard, and put a hedge around, and dug a wine vat, and built a tower, and gave it out to farmers, and went abroad; <a href="/blb/mark/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And He began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard, and placed around it a fence, and dug a wine vat, and built a tower, and rented it out to farmers, and traveled abroad. <a href="/ylt/mark/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And he began to speak to them in similes: 'A man planted a vineyard, and put a hedge around, and digged an under-wine-vat, and built a tower, and gave it out to husbandmen, and went abroad; <a href="/slt/mark/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And be began to speak to them in parables. A man planted a vineyard, and put a fence round, and digged a winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went abroad.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/mark/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> AND he began to speak to them in parables: A certain man planted a vineyard and made a hedge about it, and dug a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it to husbandmen; and went into a far country. <a href="/cpdv/mark/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he began to speak to them in parables: “A man dug a vineyard, and surrounded it with a hedge, and dug a pit, and built a tower, and he loaned it out to farmers, and he set out on a long journey. <a href="/nabre/mark/12.htm">New American Bible</a> He began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey. <a href="/nrsvce/mark/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the wine press, and built a watchtower; then he leased it to tenants and went to another country.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/mark/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> AND he began to speak to them in parables. A man planted a vineyard, and fenced it all around, and he dug in it a wine-press, and built a tower in it, and then he leased it to laborers, and went on a journey. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/mark/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And he began to speak with them in a parable: “A certain man planted a vineyard and enclosed it with a hedge and dug a wine press in it and built a tower into it and gave its care to laborers, and he went abroad.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/mark/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And he began to speak to them in parables: A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and digged a wine-press, and built a tower, and let it out to vine-dressers, and went into another country. <a href="/godbey/mark/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And He began to speak to them in parables. <FR>A man planted a vineyard, and placed a hedge round it, and dug a wine-trough; and built a tower, and he gave it out to husbandmen, and went away.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/mark/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> AND he began to speak to them in parables. A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and digged a wine-press, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went abroad. <a href="/mace/mark/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Then Jesus address'd himself to them in this parabolical manner, a certain person planted a vineyard, made a fence about it, clear'd the way for a wine-press, built a tower, and committed it to the care of vine-dressers, while he was travelling abroad. <a href="/wey/mark/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Then He began to speak to them in figurative language. "There was once a man," He said, "who planted a vineyard, fenced it round, dug a pit for the wine-tank, and built a strong lodge. Then he let the place to vine-dressers and went abroad. <a href="/worrell/mark/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And He began to speak to them in parables, <FR>"A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and dug a wine-vat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/mark/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And He began to speak unto them in parables. <FR>A <Fr>certain<FR> man planted a vineyard, and made a fence about <Fr>it,<FR> and digged <Fr>a place for<FR> the wine-fat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and travelled abroad.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/mark/12-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DmwDTC71zvQ?start=3875" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/mark/12.htm">The Parable of the Wicked Tenants</a> 1<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">Then</a> <a href="/greek/756.htm" title="756: ērxato (V-AIM-3S) -- To begin. Middle voice of archo; to commence.">Jesus began</a> <a href="/greek/2980.htm" title="2980: lalein (V-PNA) -- A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.">to speak</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">to them</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3850.htm" title="3850: parabolais (N-DFP) -- From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.">parables:</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpos (N-NMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">“A man</a> <a href="/greek/5452.htm" title="5452: ephyteusen (V-AIA-3S) -- To plant, set. From a derivative of phuo; to set out in the earth, i.e. Implant; figuratively, to instil doctrine.">planted</a> <a href="/greek/290.htm" title="290: Ampelōna (N-AMS) -- A vineyard. From ampelos; a vineyard.">a vineyard.</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/4060.htm" title="4060: periethēken (V-AIA-3S) -- To place or put around, clothe; fig: I bestow, confer. From peri and tithemi; to place around; by implication, to present.">He put</a> <a href="/greek/5418.htm" title="5418: phragmon (N-AMS) -- A hedge, fence, partition. From phrasso; a fence, or inclosing barrier.">a wall around it,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3736.htm" title="3736: ōryxen (V-AIA-3S) -- To dig, dig out, excavate. Apparently a primary verb; to burrow in the ground, i.e. Dig.">dug</a> <a href="/greek/5276.htm" title="5276: hypolēnion (N-ANS) -- Neuter of a presumed compound of hupo and lenos; vessel or receptacle under the press, i.e. Lower wine-vat.">a wine vat,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3618.htm" title="3618: ōkodomēsen (V-AIA-3S) -- From the same as oikodome; to be a house-builder, i.e. Construct or confirm.">built</a> <a href="/greek/4444.htm" title="4444: pyrgon (N-AMS) -- A tower, fortified structure. Apparently a primary word; a tower or castle.">a watchtower.</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">Then</a> <a href="/greek/1554.htm" title="1554: exedeto (V-AIM-3S) -- To give out, let; middle: I let out for my own advantage. From ek and didomi; to give forth, i.e. to lease.">he rented it out</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/1092.htm" title="1092: geōrgois (N-DMP) -- From ge and the base of ergon; a land-worker, i.e. Farmer.">to some tenants</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/589.htm" title="589: apedēmēsen (V-AIA-3S) -- To be away from home, go into another country, be away, be abroad. From apodemos; to go abroad, i.e. Visit a foreign land.">went away on a journey. </a> 2At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/5-1.htm">Isaiah 5:1-7</a> I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. ... <a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">Matthew 21:33-46</a> Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. / When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit. / But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. ... <a href="/luke/20-9.htm">Luke 20:9-19</a> Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time. / At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed. / So he sent another servant, but they beat him and treated him shamefully, sending him away empty-handed. ... <a href="/psalms/80-8.htm">Psalm 80:8-16</a> You uprooted a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and transplanted it. / You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. / The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches. ... <a href="/jeremiah/2-21.htm">Jeremiah 2:21</a> I had planted you like a choice vine from the very best seed. How could you turn yourself before Me into a rotten, wild vine? <a href="/john/15-1.htm">John 15:1-8</a> “I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. / He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. / You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ... <a href="/hosea/10-1.htm">Hosea 10:1</a> Israel was a luxuriant vine, yielding fruit for himself. The more his fruit increased, the more he increased the altars. The better his land produced, the better he made the sacred pillars. <a href="/ezekiel/19-10.htm">Ezekiel 19:10-14</a> Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard, planted by the water; it was fruitful and full of branches because of the abundant waters. / It had strong branches, fit for a ruler’s scepter. It towered high above the thick branches, conspicuous for its height and for its dense foliage. / But it was uprooted in fury, cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong branches were stripped off and they withered; the fire consumed them. ... <a href="/romans/11-17.htm">Romans 11:17-24</a> Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, / do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. / You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” ... <a href="/deuteronomy/32-32.htm">Deuteronomy 32:32-33</a> But their vine is from the vine of Sodom and from the fields of Gomorrah. Their grapes are poisonous; their clusters are bitter. / Their wine is the venom of serpents, the deadly poison of cobras. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">1 Corinthians 3:9</a> For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. <a href="/isaiah/27-2.htm">Isaiah 27:2-6</a> In that day: “Sing about a fruitful vineyard. / I, the LORD, am its keeper; I water it continually. I guard it night and day so no one can disturb it; / I am not angry. If only thorns and briers confronted Me, I would march and trample them, I would burn them to the ground. ... <a href="/hebrews/6-7.htm">Hebrews 6:7-8</a> For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God. / But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned. <a href="/2_chronicles/36-15.htm">2 Chronicles 36:15-16</a> Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. / But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy. <a href="/jeremiah/12-10.htm">Jeremiah 12:10</a> Many shepherds have destroyed My vineyard; they have trampled My plot of ground. They have turned My pleasant field into a desolate wasteland.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he began to speak to them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and dig a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to farmers, and went into a far country.he began.<a href="/mark/4-2.htm">Mark 4:2,11-13,33,34</a> And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, … <a href="/ezekiel/20-49.htm">Ezekiel 20:49</a> Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?<a href="/matthew/13-10.htm">Matthew 13:10-15,34,35</a> And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? … A certain.<a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">Matthew 21:33-40</a> Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: … <a href="/luke/20-9.htm">Luke 20:9-15</a> Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time… planted.<a href="/psalms/80-8.htm">Psalm 80:8-16</a> Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it… <a href="/isaiah/5-1.htm">Isaiah 5:1-4</a> Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: … <a href="/jeremiah/2-21.htm">Jeremiah 2:21</a> Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?and set.<a href="/nehemiah/9-13.htm">Nehemiah 9:13,14</a> Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: … <a href="/psalms/78-68.htm">Psalm 78:68,69</a> But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved… <a href="/psalms/147-19.htm">Psalm 147:19,20</a> He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel… and let.<a href="/songs/8-11.htm">Song of Solomon 8:11,12</a> Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver… <a href="/isaiah/7-23.htm">Isaiah 7:23</a> And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, it shall even be for briers and thorns.and went.<a href="/mark/13-34.htm">Mark 13:34</a> For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/6-14.htm">Abroad</a> <a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">Built</a> <a href="/mark/10-1.htm">Country</a> <a href="/matthew/25-18.htm">Digged</a> <a href="/mark/2-4.htm">Dug</a> <a href="/mark/4-14.htm">Farmer</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-2.htm">Fenced</a> <a href="/mark/4-34.htm">Figurative</a> <a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">Hedge</a> <a href="/matthew/21-41.htm">Husbandmen</a> <a href="/mark/10-17.htm">Journey</a> <a href="/mark/4-34.htm">Language</a> <a href="/mark/10-32.htm">Once</a> <a href="/mark/4-33.htm">Parables</a> <a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Pit</a> <a href="/mark/4-32.htm">Planted</a> <a href="/mark/5-30.htm">Press</a> <a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">Rented</a> <a href="/mark/9-39.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/mark/5-23.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">Tower</a> <a href="/haggai/2-16.htm">Vat</a> <a href="/matthew/21-41.htm">Vine-Growers</a> <a href="/matthew/21-41.htm">Vineyard</a> <a href="/zechariah/2-5.htm">Wall</a> <a href="/mark/2-22.htm">Wine</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-2.htm">Winefat</a> <a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">Winepress</a> <a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">Wine-Tank</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-2.htm">Wine-Vat</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/13-34.htm">Abroad</a> <a href="/mark/14-58.htm">Built</a> <a href="/mark/13-34.htm">Country</a> <a href="/luke/6-48.htm">Digged</a> <a href="/luke/6-48.htm">Dug</a> <a href="/mark/12-2.htm">Farmer</a> <a href="/numbers/13-28.htm">Fenced</a> <a href="/luke/5-37.htm">Figurative</a> <a href="/job/1-10.htm">Hedge</a> <a href="/mark/12-2.htm">Husbandmen</a> <a href="/mark/13-34.htm">Journey</a> <a href="/luke/1-20.htm">Language</a> <a href="/mark/12-20.htm">Once</a> <a href="/luke/8-10.htm">Parables</a> <a href="/luke/6-39.htm">Pit</a> <a href="/luke/13-6.htm">Planted</a> <a href="/luke/8-19.htm">Press</a> <a href="/luke/20-9.htm">Rented</a> <a href="/mark/13-11.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/luke/1-15.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/luke/13-4.htm">Tower</a> <a href="/numbers/18-27.htm">Vat</a> <a href="/mark/12-2.htm">Vine-Growers</a> <a href="/mark/12-2.htm">Vineyard</a> <a href="/luke/19-43.htm">Wall</a> <a href="/mark/14-25.htm">Wine</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-2.htm">Winefat</a> <a href="/revelation/14-19.htm">Winepress</a> <a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">Wine-Tank</a> <a href="/numbers/18-27.htm">Wine-Vat</a><div class="vheading2">Mark 12</div>1. <a href="/mark/12-1.htm">Jesus tells the parable of the tenants</a> 13. <a href="/mark/12-13.htm">He avoids the snare of the Pharisees and Herodians about paying tribute to Caesar;</a> 18. <a href="/mark/12-18.htm">convicts the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection;</a> 28. <a href="/mark/12-28.htm">resolves the scribe, who questioned of the first commandment;</a> 35. <a href="/mark/12-35.htm">refutes the opinion that the scribes held of the Christ;</a> 38. <a href="/mark/12-38.htm">bidding the people to beware of their ambition and hypocrisy;</a> 41. <a href="/mark/12-41.htm">and commends the poor widow for her two mites, above all.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/mark/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables: Parables were a common teaching method used by Jesus to convey deep spiritual truths through simple stories. They often contained hidden meanings that required contemplation and spiritual insight to understand. In this context, Jesus uses a parable to address the religious leaders, illustrating truths about God's kingdom and their responsibilities.A man planted a vineyard: The vineyard is a symbol frequently used in the Old Testament to represent Israel (<a href="/isaiah/5.htm">Isaiah 5:1-7</a>). The man represents God, who established Israel as His chosen people, providing them with everything needed to flourish spiritually. This imagery would have been familiar to Jesus' audience, evoking themes of divine care and expectation.He put a wall around it: The wall signifies protection and separation, indicating God's provision and safeguarding of Israel. It also implies a boundary, setting apart His people from the surrounding nations. This reflects God's covenant relationship with Israel, where He provided laws and commandments to guide and protect them.Dug a wine vat: The wine vat is a symbol of expectation for fruitfulness. In a vineyard, the wine vat is where the harvested grapes are processed into wine, representing the anticipated spiritual fruitfulness of Israel. This expectation is rooted in God's desire for His people to produce righteousness and justice.And built a watchtower: The watchtower serves as a place of vigilance and oversight, symbolizing God's watchful care and the responsibility of the leaders to guard and nurture the spiritual well-being of the people. It also implies readiness against external threats, emphasizing the need for spiritual alertness.Then he rented it out to some tenants: The tenants represent the religious leaders of Israel, who were entrusted with the care and leadership of God's people. This arrangement highlights the responsibility and accountability expected from those in spiritual authority. The concept of stewardship is central, as the leaders were to manage God's vineyard faithfully.And went away on a journey: The journey signifies God's trust in the leaders to manage His vineyard in His absence. It also implies a period of testing, where the true character and faithfulness of the tenants would be revealed. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's patience and the eventual accountability of His people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure in the Gospel of Mark, who uses parables to teach spiritual truths. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_vineyard.htm">The Vineyard</a> Symbolic of Israel, often used in the Old Testament to represent God's chosen people. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_man.htm">The Man (Owner)</a> Represents God, who establishes and cares for His people. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_tenants.htm">The Tenants</a> Symbolize the religious leaders of Israel, entrusted with the care of God's people. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_journey.htm">The Journey</a> Indicates God's trust in the tenants to manage His vineyard in His absence.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_and_care.htm">God's Provision and Care</a> God has provided abundantly for His people, symbolized by the well-equipped vineyard. Reflect on how God has equipped and provided for you in your life. <a href="/topical/r/responsibility_and_stewardship.htm">Responsibility and Stewardship</a> The tenants were entrusted with the care of the vineyard, highlighting the responsibility of stewardship. Consider how you are stewarding the resources and responsibilities God has given you. <a href="/topical/a/accountability.htm">Accountability</a> The parable foreshadows the accountability the tenants will face, reminding us of our own accountability to God. Evaluate areas in your life where you need to be more accountable to God's expectations. <a href="/topical/r/rejection_of_god's_messengers.htm">Rejection of God's Messengers</a> The parable hints at the rejection of prophets and ultimately Jesus Himself by the religious leaders. Reflect on how you respond to God's messages and messengers in your life. <a href="/topical/g/god's_patience_and_justice.htm">God's Patience and Justice</a> The owner's patience with the tenants shows God's long-suffering nature, but justice will ultimately prevail. Trust in God's timing and justice, even when it seems delayed.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_mark_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Mark 12</a> <a href="/q/why_send_servants_and_son_if_rejected.htm">Mark 12:1–9: Why would an all-knowing God repeatedly send servants and His own Son if He knew they would be rejected and killed? </a> <a href="/q/how_does_a_violent_parable_show_love.htm">Matthew 22:2–14: How can a parable that depicts a king using violent punishment align with a loving God? </a> <a href="/q/what_does_'husbandman'_mean_biblically.htm">What does "husbandman" mean in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_happened_on_holy_tuesday.htm">What occurred on Holy Tuesday before Easter?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/mark/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>XII.(1-12) And he began to speak unto them by parables.--See Notes on <a href="/context/matthew/21-33.htm" title="Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and dig a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to farmers, and went into a far country:">Matthew 21:33-36</a>. The parable which, like that of the Sower, and like that only, is related in all the first three Gospels, was one which had obviously impressed itself strongly, as that had done, on the minds of those who heard it, and was reproduced by independent reporters with an almost textual exactness.A place for the winefat.--Better, simply, a vine vat.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/mark/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - And he began to speak unto them in parables. This particular parable which follows was specially directed against the scribes and Pharisees; but it was uttered in the presence of a multitude of the people. "He began to speak... in parables." He had not used this form of instruction till now in Jerusalem. A man planted a vineyard. The imagery of the parable would be familiar to them from Isaiah (<a href="/isaiah/5-1.htm">Isaiah 5:1</a>). But Palestine was eminently a land of "vineyards," as well as of "oil olives." The man who planted the vineyard is no other than God himself. "Thou hast brought a vine" out of Egypt; thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it." The imagery is specially appropriate. No property was considered to yield so rich a return as the vineyard, and none required such unceasing care and attention. The vine represents the kingdom of God in its idea and conception; not the Jewish Church in particular. The owner of this vineyard had himself made it. (He had "planted it." This planting took place in the establishment of the Jewish polity in the land of Canaan, when the heathen were cast out. He set a hedge about it. This and the following descriptions are not mere ornaments of the parable. The "hedge" was an important protection to the vineyard. It might be a wall or a "quick hedge," a living fence. The vineyards in the East may now be seen often with a strong hedge planted round them. Such hedges, made of the prickly cactus, are to be seen at this day in the neighborhood of Joppa. Figuratively, this hedge would represent the middle wall of partition which then existed between the Jew and the Gentile; and in this, their separation from the idolatrous nations around them, lay the security of the Jews that they should enjoy the continued protection of God. It is well remarked by Archbishop Trench that the geographical position of Judaea was figurative of this, the spiritual separation of the people - guarded as Judaea was eastward by the river Jordan and its chain of lakes, northward by Antilibanus, southward by the desert and Idumaea, and westward by the Mediterranean Sea. Digged a place for the winepress (ληνός torcular); the words are literally, digged a pit for the winepress (ὤρυξεν ὑπολήνιον); the digging could only apply to the pit, a place hollowed out and then fitted with masonry. Sometimes these pits were formed out of the solid rock. Examples of these are frequent in Palestine. There were usually two pits hollowed out of the rock, one sloping to the other, and with openings between them. The grapes were placed in the upper pit; and the juice, crushed out by the feet of men, flowed into the lower pit, from whence it was taken out and put into wine-skins. "I have trodden the winepress alone." And built a tower. The tower (πύργον) was probably the watch-tower, where a watchman was placed to guard the vineyard from plunderers. Particular directions are given in the rabbinical writings (see Lightfoot) for the dimensions both of the winepress and of the tower. The tower was to be ten cubits high and four cubits square. It is described as "a high place, where the vine-dresser stands to overlook the vineyard." Such towers are still to be seen in Palestine, especially in the neighborhood of Bethlehem, of Hebron, and in the vine-growing districts of Lebanon. And let it out to husbandmen. The husbandmen would be the ordinary stated teachers of the people, though not excluding the people themselves. The Jewish nation in fact, both the teachers and the taught, represented the husbandmen, each member of the Church, then as now, being required to seek the welfare of the whole, body. And went into a far country (καὶ ἀπεδήμηδε); literally, and went into another country. St. Luke (<a href="/luke/20-9.htm">Luke 20:9</a>) adds (χρόνους ἱκανούς), "for a long time." <a href="/commentaries/mark/12-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Then Καὶ (Kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. [Jesus] began ἤρξατο (ērxato) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_756.htm">Strong's 756: </a> To begin. Middle voice of archo; to commence. to speak λαλεῖν (lalein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_2980.htm">Strong's 2980: </a> A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words. to them αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. parables: παραβολαῖς (parabolais) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3850.htm">Strong's 3850: </a> From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage. “A man ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. planted ἐφύτευσεν (ephyteusen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5452.htm">Strong's 5452: </a> To plant, set. From a derivative of phuo; to set out in the earth, i.e. Implant; figuratively, to instil doctrine. a vineyard. Ἀμπελῶνα (Ampelōna) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_290.htm">Strong's 290: </a> A vineyard. From ampelos; a vineyard. He put περιέθηκεν (periethēken) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4060.htm">Strong's 4060: </a> To place or put around, clothe; fig: I bestow, confer. From peri and tithemi; to place around; by implication, to present. a wall {around it}, φραγμὸν (phragmon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5418.htm">Strong's 5418: </a> A hedge, fence, partition. From phrasso; a fence, or inclosing barrier. dug ὤρυξεν (ōryxen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3736.htm">Strong's 3736: </a> To dig, dig out, excavate. Apparently a primary verb; to 'burrow' in the ground, i.e. Dig. a wine vat, ὑπολήνιον (hypolēnion) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5276.htm">Strong's 5276: </a> Neuter of a presumed compound of hupo and lenos; vessel or receptacle under the press, i.e. Lower wine-vat. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. built ᾠκοδόμησεν (ōkodomēsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3618.htm">Strong's 3618: </a> From the same as oikodome; to be a house-builder, i.e. Construct or confirm. a watchtower. πύργον (pyrgon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4444.htm">Strong's 4444: </a> A tower, fortified structure. Apparently a primary word; a tower or castle. Then καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. he rented it out ἐξέδετο (exedeto) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1554.htm">Strong's 1554: </a> To give out, let; middle: I let out for my own advantage. From ek and didomi; to give forth, i.e. to lease. to [some] tenants γεωργοῖς (geōrgois) Noun - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1092.htm">Strong's 1092: </a> From ge and the base of ergon; a land-worker, i.e. Farmer. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. went away on a journey. ἀπεδήμησεν (apedēmēsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> To be away from home, go into another country, be away, be abroad. From apodemos; to go abroad, i.e. Visit a foreign land. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/mark/12-1.htm">Mark 12:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/mark/12-1.htm">Mark 12:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/mark/12-1.htm">Mark 12:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/mark/12-1.htm">Mark 12:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/mark/12-1.htm">Mark 12:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/mark/12-1.htm">Mark 12:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/mark/12-1.htm">Mark 12:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/mark/12-1.htm">Mark 12:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/mark/12-1.htm">Mark 12:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/mark/12-1.htm">Mark 12:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/mark/12-1.htm">NT Gospels: Mark 12:1 He began to speak to them (Mar Mk Mr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/mark/11-33.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Mark 11:33"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Mark 11:33" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/mark/12-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Mark 12:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Mark 12:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>