Luke Chapter 20 · Verse 14
But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be our's.
Original Language Analysis
ἰδόντες
saw
G1492
ἰδόντες
saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
1 of 21
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 21
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 #:
4 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διελογίζοντο
they reasoned
G1260
διελογίζοντο
they reasoned
Strong's:
G1260
Word #:
6 of 21
to reckon thoroughly, i.e., (genitive case) to deliberate (by reflection or discussion)
πρὸς
among
G4314
πρὸς
among
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
7 of 21
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,
ἑαυτοὺς,
themselves
G1438
ἑαυτοὺς,
themselves
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
8 of 21
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
λέγοντες
saying
G3004
λέγοντες
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
9 of 21
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Οὗτός
This
G3778
Οὗτός
This
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
10 of 21
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κληρονόμος·
the heir
G2818
κληρονόμος·
the heir
Strong's:
G2818
Word #:
13 of 21
a sharer by lot, i.e., inheritor (literally or figuratively); by implication, a possessor
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 21
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
γένηται
may be
G1096
γένηται
may be
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
19 of 21
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
Cross References
Historical Context
The parable predicts Jesus' crucifixion with stunning precision. The Sanhedrin acknowledged Jesus' messianic claims (Matthew 26:63-66) but condemned Him anyway. Caiaphas declared, "It is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people" (John 11:50)—exactly the reasoning of the wicked tenants. They killed the heir to preserve their position, but their murder brought the very judgment they sought to avoid. Rome destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD, ending the religious system the leaders tried to protect by killing Jesus.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing Jesus' identity without submitting to Him represent the worst form of rebellion?
- What does the tenants' delusional reasoning teach about the blindness that sin produces?
- In what ways do people today acknowledge Jesus' claims while still rejecting His authority?
Analysis & Commentary
But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be our's—The tenants recognize the son's identity (οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ κληρονόμος, houtos estin ho klēronomos, "this is the heir") but respond with murderous conspiracy. Their reasoning (διελογίζοντο, dielogizonto) reveals calculated evil, not impulsive violence. They understand the inheritance law: kill the heir and they might claim the property by occupancy.
The phrase "let us kill" (ἀποκτείνωμεν, apokteinōmen) exposes the depth of their rebellion—they will murder to maintain control. "That the inheritance may be ours" (ἡμῶν γένηται ἡ κληρονομία, hēmōn genētai hē klēronomia) reveals their delusion: they think eliminating the heir will transfer ownership to them. This perfectly describes the Sanhedrin's reasoning about Jesus: recognize His claims, fear losing their position (John 11:48), and plot His murder (John 11:53). By killing God's Son, they believed they could preserve their religious monopoly. Their recognition of Jesus' identity makes their guilt absolute—this is knowing, willful rejection.