And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.

MARK 12:2KJV
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Mark 12:2 (KJV)

What does Mark 12:2 mean?

Mark 12:2 describes how, at the right time, the owner of a vineyard sent a servant to the tenant farmers to collect some of the fruit from the vineyard as payment. The verse sets up a situation where the owner expects the tenants to give him a share of the harvest, reflecting a normal agreement between landowners and those who work their land.

In this part of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus is telling a parable to the religious leaders in Jerusalem. The vineyard represents something valuable entrusted to others, and the servant is sent to receive what is due. This verse introduces the expectation of accountability and the relationship between the owner and those working his property, which will become important as the story unfolds.

The Greek behind Mark 12:2

  • "season" (καιρῷ, kairō): This word means a specific, appointed time, not just any time. It shows that the owner waited for the right moment, likely when the fruit was ready to be gathered.
  • "husbandmen" (γεωργοῖς, geōrgois): This term refers to tenant farmers, not just generic workers. They are people who have been entrusted with the care and productivity of the vineyard, highlighting responsibility.
  • "servant" (δοῦλον, doulon): This word means a servant or slave, someone sent on behalf of the owner with authority to collect what is owed. The servant acts as the owner’s representative.
  • "fruit" (καρπὸν, karpon): This word refers to the actual produce or results of the vineyard. The expectation is that the tenants will give a portion of the harvest, not just any payment.

Why Mark 12:2 matters

  • Mark 12:2 clarifies that the owner’s request is reasonable and expected, setting up the seriousness of the tenants’ later actions in the story.
  • The verse highlights the idea of stewardship—those entrusted with something valuable are expected to give an account and share the results.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of the conflict that follows in the parable, as it shows the owner’s approach was fair and in line with normal practice.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“vineyard” Greek G290 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 20:1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
  • 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:
  • 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.

“fruit” Greek G2590 · used in 56 verses

  • Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
  • Luke 1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
  • Acts 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

“season” Greek G2540 · used in 82 verses

  • Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
  • John 7:6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
  • Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.