1
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.
2
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.
3
And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed.
4
Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated.
5
And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some.
6
Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, 'They will respect my son.'
7
But those vinedressers said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.'
8
So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.
9
Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others.
10
Have you not even read this Scripture: 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.
11
This was the Lord's doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'?"
12
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.
13
Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words.