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 20:9KJV
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Luke 20:9 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“let” Greek G1554 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 21:33 Hear 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:
  • Matthew 21:41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
  • Mark 12:1 And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.

“country” Greek G589 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 21:33 Hear 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:
  • Matthew 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
  • Mark 12:1 And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.

“planted” Greek G5452 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
  • Luke 13:6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
  • 1 Corinthians 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

“husbandmen” Greek G1092 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 21:33 Hear 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:
  • Matthew 21:41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
  • Luke 20:10 And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.