Luke Chapter 20 · Verse 10
And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπέστειλεν
he sent
G649
ἀπέστειλεν
he sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
4 of 23
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
5 of 23
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δοῦλον
a servant
G1401
δοῦλον
a servant
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
8 of 23
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
ἀπὸ
of
G575
ἀπὸ
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
10 of 23
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δῶσιν
they should give
G1325
δῶσιν
they should give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
15 of 23
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δείραντες
beat
G1194
δείραντες
beat
Strong's:
G1194
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, to flay, i.e., (by implication) to scourge, or (by analogy) to thrash
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Historical Context
Israel's history chronicles persistent rejection of God's prophets. Jeremiah was beaten and imprisoned (Jeremiah 20:2, 37:15). Zechariah was stoned in the temple courts (2 Chronicles 24:20-21). Elijah fled Jezebel's murderous rage (1 Kings 19:1-3). Jesus later declared, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee" (Matthew 23:37). The religious establishment consistently opposed prophets who called for reform and challenged corrupt leadership.
Questions for Reflection
- How do the beaten servants represent God's patient pursuit of His rebellious people through the prophets?
- What does sending the servant away empty reveal about religious activity that produces no fruit for God?
- In what ways do churches today sometimes persecute or marginalize prophetic voices calling for reform?
Analysis & Commentary
And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty—"At the season" (καιρῷ, kairō) indicates the appointed time for harvest and payment. The owner's request through his "servant" (δοῦλον, doulon) was entirely legitimate—he sought the fruit (καρποῦ, karpou) that was rightfully his. The servants represent the prophets God sent to Israel calling for righteousness, justice, and covenant faithfulness.
The tenants' response—they "beat" (δείραντες, deirantes, flogged, struck) the servant and sent him away "empty" (κενόν, kenon, with nothing)—reveals rebellion masquerading as management. This wasn't mere failure to produce fruit but violent rejection of the owner's rights. The beating symbolizes Israel's persecution of the prophets (1 Kings 19:10, Nehemiah 9:26, Jeremiah 37:15, 2 Chronicles 36:15-16). Rejection of God's messengers reveals rejection of God Himself. The empty-handed servant testifies against the tenants—they produced fruit but refused to share it with its rightful owner.