Mark 12:6
Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.
Original Language Analysis
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 19
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
υἱόν
son
G5207
υἱόν
son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
4 of 19
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
ἔχων,
Having
G2192
ἔχων,
Having
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
5 of 19
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
αὐτοὺς
him
G846
αὐτοὺς
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 19
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
ἀπέστειλεν
he sent
G649
ἀπέστειλεν
he sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
8 of 19
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοὺς
him
G846
αὐτοὺς
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 19
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
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
11 of 19
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,
αὐτοὺς
him
G846
αὐτοὺς
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 19
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
λέγων
saying
G3004
λέγων
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
14 of 19
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
G3754
Ἐντραπήσονται
They will reverence
G1788
Ἐντραπήσονται
They will reverence
Strong's:
G1788
Word #:
16 of 19
to invert, i.e., (figuratively and reflexively) in a good sense, to respect; or in a bad one, to confound
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Written around AD 65-70, Mark's Gospel emphasizes Jesus as the 'beloved Son' (1:11, 9:7, 12:6). This parable, delivered during Passion Week just days before the crucifixion, is Jesus' clear claim to unique divine sonship. The religious leaders understood perfectly—He claimed to be God's final, ultimate revelation, superseding all prophets, which is why 'they sought to lay hold on him' (verse 12).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the father's sending of his 'beloved son' reveal the height of God's love and the depth of human depravity in rejecting Him?
- What makes Jesus categorically different from all previous prophets, and why does this demand a different response?
- How do you 'reverence' the Son—with mere acknowledgment or with the worship and obedience due God's beloved?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved—The climactic agapētos (ἀγαπητός, beloved) echoes God's declaration at Jesus' baptism (Mark 1:11) and transfiguration (9:7). He sent him also last unto them (ἔσχατον, eschaton, finally, last of all)—this is God's ultimate revelation, beyond which no further messenger comes. They will reverence my son (ἐντρέπω, entrepō, to respect, regard with shame)—the father's expectation, tragically misplaced.
This verse is the heart of Christian theology: after all the prophets, God sends His unique, beloved Son as the final messenger. The 'therefore' connects to previous rejection—incredibly, despite servant-murders, the father risks his son. This reveals both Christ's supreme dignity (beyond all prophets) and the Father's incomprehensible love. That the father expects 'reverence' for the son establishes the tenants' inexcusable guilt when they kill him.