The parable is found in Mark 12:1-12 and Luke 20:9-19 as well as in Matthew. Question is raised as to whether the parable is given in its original form as told by Jesus or whether it is embellished with additional details from the experience of the church after the death and resurrection of Jesus. The issue is in part concerned with one's belief about predictive prophecy. Did Jesus have prescience about what would happen to the church after his death, or did the writers of the parable adapt it to conform to events which they experienced and that fit with the original parable?

The parable as it is given can be used as an allegory. Its details can be assigned to events and parties in the Old Testament. The concluding verses may be given added strength if the gospels according to Matthew and…