Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.
LUKE 20:9KJVWhat does Luke 20:9 mean?
Luke 20:9 describes Jesus beginning to tell a story, or parable, to the people: a man plants a vineyard, rents it out to tenant farmers, and then leaves for a long time. The verse sets up the situation for the parable that follows, focusing on the actions of the owner and the arrangement with the tenants.
In this scene, Jesus is speaking to a crowd in Jerusalem, including religious leaders who have been questioning his authority. By introducing a parable about a vineyard and its tenants, Jesus uses a familiar image from everyday life and from Jewish scripture. The verse prepares listeners for a lesson about responsibility, stewardship, and the relationship between the owner and those entrusted with his property.
The Greek behind Luke 20:9
- παραβολή (parabolē, "parable"): This Greek word means a story or illustration placed alongside a truth to help explain it. Here, it signals that Jesus is about to teach using a symbolic story, not just recounting an event.
- ἀνθρώπος (anthrōpos, "man"): The Greek term is general for "person" or "human," but in this context, it refers to the owner of the vineyard, who represents someone with authority.
- γεώργιον (geōrgion, "vineyard"): Vineyards were common in Israel and often used in scripture as symbols for Israel itself, so listeners would recognize the deeper associations.
- ἐκδίδωμι (ekdidōmi, "let it forth"): This word means to lease or rent out property. It highlights that the owner entrusts the vineyard to others, expecting them to care for it in his absence.
Why Luke 20:9 matters
- The verse introduces a parable that will challenge the religious leaders listening, using a story they would understand and recognize from their own scriptures.
- By mentioning the owner’s long absence, the verse sets up the idea of trust and accountability, which becomes important in the rest of the parable.
- The vineyard imagery connects to Old Testament passages (like Isaiah 5), helping readers see that Jesus is drawing on familiar themes to make a deeper point about God’s relationship with his people.