Title: Gospel of Mark: Lessons From The Vineyard
Scripture: Mark 12:1-12
Date: 5-19-2024
Bible Version: NKJV
BOTTOM LINE: If Christ is rejected, hope is rejected.
The Story Of The Tenant Farmers (vs. 1)
[Mar 12:1 NKJV] 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.
He began to speak to them in parables: - Jesus began to speak to them. Mark does not identify who these hearers are but we can infer that this group included Jesus’ opponents (the chief priests, elders and scribes).
A man planted a vineyard …hedge…wine vat…tower - This parable identifies a man (the owner) who planted a vineyard. It had a hedge row around it, a wine vat and a tower.
He leased it to the vinedressers and went into a far country - The owner had tenants who leased the vineyard. During this time it was not uncommon for landowners to lease their vineyards. It was a common practice of the day, especially in the region of Galilee.
The Sending of Three Servants (vv. 2-5)
[Mar 12:2 NKJV] “Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers.
At vintage time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit… - Vintage time would be the time where the ingathering of grapes would occur for the production of wine. This would typically occur between June and September.
[Mar 12:3 NKJV] “And they took [him] and beat him and sent [him] away empty-handed.
They took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. - This first servant was taken and beaten by the vinedressers. He came to acquire some of the fruit of the vineyard but was beaten and sent away empty-handed.
[Mar 12:4 NKJV] “Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded [him] in the head, and sent [him] away shamefully treated.
Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones - A second servant was sent to acquire some fruit. This one had stones thrown at him.
Sent him away shamefully treated - He wasn’t just sent away, we are told that he was shamefully treated as he was sent away.
[Mar 12:5 NKJV] “And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some.
And again he sent another, and him they killed - A third servant was sent and this one was killed.
And many others, beating some and killing some - Additional servants were also sent, they were beaten and some were killed.
The Sending of The Son (vv. 6-7)
[Mar 12:6 NKJV] “Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’
Therefore - Considering all that we have read so far the owner has another option.
Still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying ‘They will respect my son’ - The owner planned to send his son. Because he was related to him, he believed the vinedressers would respect him.
‘One son, his beloved’- This term can be understood to mean only son. We can observe both in Mark 1:11 and Mark 9:7 that this same idiom is used.
[Mar 12:7 NKJV] “But those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
Those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him.. - The vinedressers displayed just how evil the were. Knowing that the son was coming, they conspired to kill him. In their mind, if the son was gone, there would be no apparent heir to the property thus making it possible for them to claim it. This was done to benefit the vinedressers.
In a day when title was sometimes uncertain, anyone who had had the use of the land for three years was presumed to own it in the absence of an alternative claim. —Morris
The Reaction To The Son (vs. 8)
[Mar 12:8 NKJV] “So they took him and killed [him] and cast [him] out of the vineyard.
So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard - The tenant’s were driven by greed. They did exactly as they had planned. They kill the son and put him outside of the vineyard.
After killing the son, the tenants “threw him out of the vineyard”. The cultural significance here is that the body is discarded as carrion rather than given a proper burial - a cause of great shame in the Mediterranean world. The tenants treat the son shamelessly. —Mark Strauss (EBC)
Jesus Applies The Parable (vv. 9-12)
[Mar 12:9 NKJV] “Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others.
Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do - Jesus now asks a very important question. What will the owner of the vineyard do?
He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others - Answering His own question, Jesus states that the owner would come and destroy the vinedressers and give the vineyard to others.
[Mar 12:10 NKJV] “Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.
[Mar 12:11 NKJV] This was the LORD’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? “
The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone - We see that Jesus is compared to the chief cornerstone. He is the stone on which all things are supported.
[Mar 12:12 NKJV] And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.
And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude - The audience to whom Jesus was speaking to wanted to bring harm to Him. They refrained because of the multitude. It was getting close to the time of the feast and pilgrims from Galilee were heading to Jerusalem. These people were from the surrounding area where Jesus had previously ministered. Some knew of Him and others heard of Him.
They knew He had spoken the parable against them……so they left Him and went away. - These leaders knew Jesus had spoken against them, and as a result they had been cut to the heart.
They reacted to the conviction of the Holy Spirit by rejecting, not by receiving. They plotted to murder Jesus instead of repenting before Him. —David Guzik
The Parable Cast
1. Vineyard - Israel
2. Vinedressers - Rulers of Israel
3. Owner - God the Father
4. Son - Jesus
This parable tells us that Jesus knew He was the Son - the Son of God - and that He knew that He would soon be killed. —David Guzik
Lessons From The Vineyard:
- The message of the Gospel is the hope for a lost and hurting world.
- Even though people may reject God’s authority, they still have a chance to get things right through Jesus.
- Jesus is our final hope, there is no other way.
If you do not hear the well beloved Son of God, you have refused your last hope. He is God’s ultimatum. Nothing remains when Christ is refused. No one else can be sent; heaven itself contains no further messenger. If Christ be rejected, hope is rejected. —Spurgeon
REFLECTION: Are you living your life as if Jesus is the way, the truth and the life?
1. What are some practical ways that you can live your life in a way that demonstrates that Jesus is your one hope?
2. Why do you think it is so difficult for unbelievers to see Jesus as their final hope?
Want to get practical?
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