Mark 12:8
And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 9
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτόν,
him
G846
αὐτόν,
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 9
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 9
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Matthew 21:39And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.Matthew 21:33Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:Luke 20:15So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
Historical Context
Jesus was crucified at Golgotha, 'outside the gate' (Hebrews 13:12), fulfilling both this parable and the Levitical pattern of bearing sin outside the camp. The religious leaders (Sanhedrin) orchestrated His death, then manipulated Rome to execute Him, thus 'casting out' God's Son from Israel. Three days after Mark records this parable (Tuesday of Passion Week), it became historical fact (Friday crucifixion).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' being 'cast out' fulfill the scapegoat typology while simultaneously judging those who expelled Him?
- What does it mean that Jesus bore the curse 'outside the camp,' and how does this define your position before God?
- How do you respond to the Son who was murdered for claiming what was rightfully His?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard—The murder is consummated. They ἐκβάλλω (ekballō, cast out, expel violently) the corpse beyond the vineyard's boundaries. This precisely foreshadows Jesus' crucifixion ἔξω (outside) the city gate (Hebrews 13:12)—killed and expelled as unclean.
The casting out is theologically loaded: like the scapegoat bearing sin outside the camp (Leviticus 16:21-22), like criminals executed outside the city (Leviticus 24:14), Jesus is 'cast out' as cursed. But the irony is profound—by expelling the heir, the tenants forfeit everything. Their murder secures not the inheritance but their destruction. Christ's rejection accomplishes the opposite of the tenants' intent: His death outside the camp becomes the very means of redemption.