20:9–19 The Parable of the Wicked Vineyard Tenants follows the preceding exchange between Jesus and the Jerusalem authorities (20:1–8) and makes exceedingly clear Jesus’ indictment of the religious establishment (see v. 19). This parable in effect summarizes the whole of the biblical history, including the gospel story. Servant after servant is sent, but the tenants refuse to hand over the fruit of the vineyard. Finally, the son of the owner of the vineyard is sent, but he is murdered. This outrage necessitates the punishment of the tenants and the transfer of the vineyard to others.

In the Marcan version of the Parable of the Wicked Tenants (12:1–12) there are approximately one dozen words borrowed from Isa. 5:1–7, Isaiah’s Song of the Vineyard. Although Luke has retained only a few of t…