Luke Chapter 20 · Verse 13
Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
the lord
G2962
κύριος
the lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
4 of 18
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Τί
What
G5101
Τί
What
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
7 of 18
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ποιήσω
shall I do
G4160
ποιήσω
shall I do
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
8 of 18
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
πέμψω
I will send
G3992
πέμψω
I will send
Strong's:
G3992
Word #:
9 of 18
to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ???? (as a stronger form of ????) refers rather to the objective point or <i>term
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱόν
son
G5207
υἱόν
son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
11 of 18
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 3:17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.Jeremiah 36:7It may be they will present their supplication before the LORD, and will return every one from his evil way: for great is the anger and the fury that the LORD hath pronounced against this people.Jeremiah 36:3It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.
Historical Context
In Jewish inheritance law, a son held incomparably higher status than servants. The son was the heir, representing the father's authority fully. Dishonoring the son dishonored the father utterly. Jesus' audience would recognize this sending as the ultimate test and ultimate risk. The parable parallels salvation history precisely: after prophets came the Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). John the Baptist, the last prophet, testified, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30), acknowledging Jesus' superior status as the Beloved Son.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the sending of the beloved son reveal both God's love and His desire for humanity's response?
- What does the father's hope that they'll reverence the son teach about God's redemptive purpose in sending Jesus?
- Why is rejection of the Son infinitely more serious than rejection of the servants?
Analysis & Commentary
Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him—The owner's deliberation (τί ποιήσω, ti poiēsō, "What shall I do?") expresses pathos, not uncertainty. After three servants beaten and expelled, he sends his "beloved son" (τὸν υἱόν μου τὸν ἀγαπητόν, ton huion mou ton agapēton). This phrase echoes the Father's declaration at Jesus' baptism and transfiguration (Luke 3:22, 9:35), making the christological reference unmistakable.
"It may be they will reverence him" (ἴσως ἐντραπήσονται, isōs entrapēsontai) expresses hope despite evidence to the contrary. The verb ἐντρέπω (entrepō) means to respect, show deference, feel shame before. The son's status should command respect the servants didn't receive. This reveals the incarnation's logic: God sent His Son as the ultimate revelation and appeal. The phrase also reveals the father's incredible vulnerability—sending his beloved son to violent rebels risks the ultimate loss. This is the gospel: God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son (John 3:16), knowing the world might kill Him.