Luke Chapter 20 · Verse 15
So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
So
G2532
καὶ
So
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῖς
him
G846
αὐτοῖς
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 15
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
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τί
him What
G5101
τί
him What
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
8 of 15
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
9 of 15
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
ποιήσει
do
G4160
ποιήσει
do
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
10 of 15
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
αὐτοῖς
him
G846
αὐτοῖς
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 15
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
the lord
G2962
κύριος
the lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
13 of 15
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Historical Context
Jesus' crucifixion fulfilled this prophecy precisely. The Sanhedrin handed Jesus to Pilate for execution (Luke 23:1-25). He was crucified at Golgotha, "outside the gate," treated as a cursed criminal (Deuteronomy 21:23, Galatians 3:13). The religious leaders believed killing Jesus would end the threat to their authority. Instead, His resurrection vindicated His claims, and His death became the very means of salvation. The judgment Jesus predicted came in 70 AD when Rome destroyed Jerusalem—the vineyard given to others (Gentile believers grafted into God's people, Romans 11:17-24).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' crucifixion "outside the gate" fulfill both the parable and the prophetic pattern of rejected messengers?
- What does the question "What shall the lord do?" teach about the necessity of divine judgment for such rebellion?
- Why is killing the son the climactic sin that brings inevitable judgment?
Analysis & Commentary
So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? The murder is stated simply: "cast him out" (ἐκβαλόντες, ekbalontes) and "killed" (ἀπέκτειναν, apekteinan). Casting him "out of the vineyard" prophetically corresponds to Jesus' crucifixion "outside the gate" (Hebrews 13:12)—executed beyond Jerusalem's walls as a criminal. The tenants' crime is complete: they've murdered the beloved son to steal the inheritance.
Jesus then poses the rhetorical question: "What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?" (τί οὖν ποιήσει αὐτοῖς ὁ κύριος τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος, ti oun poiēsei autois ho kyrios tou ampelōnos). The question forces the audience to pronounce judgment on the tenants—and unknowingly on themselves. The "therefore" (οὖν, oun) indicates necessary consequence. Justice demands response to such heinous crime. By making the audience answer, Jesus ensures they cannot later claim the judgment was unfair—they themselves acknowledge its justice.