King James Version

What Does Luke 20:10 Mean?

Luke 20:10 in the King James Version says “And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the h...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Luke 20:10 · KJV

Context

8

And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

9

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.

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.

11

And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.

12

And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.

Read Luke 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—"At the season" (καιρῷ, kairō) indicates the appointed time for harvest and payment. The owner's request through his "servant" (δοῦλον, doulon) was entirely legitimate—he sought the fruit (καρποῦ, karpou) that was rightfully his. The servants represent the prophets God sent to Israel calling for righteousness, justice, and covenant faithfulness.

The tenants' response—they "beat" (δείραντες, deirantes, flogged, struck) the servant and sent him away "empty" (κενόν, kenon, with nothing)—reveals rebellion masquerading as management. This wasn't mere failure to produce fruit but violent rejection of the owner's rights. The beating symbolizes Israel's persecution of the prophets (1 Kings 19:10, Nehemiah 9:26, Jeremiah 37:15, 2 Chronicles 36:15-16). Rejection of God's messengers reveals rejection of God Himself. The empty-handed servant testifies against the tenants—they produced fruit but refused to share it with its rightful owner.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's history chronicles persistent rejection of God's prophets. Jeremiah was beaten and imprisoned (Jeremiah 20:2, 37:15). Zechariah was stoned in the temple courts (2 Chronicles 24:20-21). Elijah fled Jezebel's murderous rage (1 Kings 19:1-3). Jesus later declared, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee" (Matthew 23:37). The religious establishment consistently opposed prophets who called for reform and challenged corrupt leadership.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do the beaten servants represent God's patient pursuit of His rebellious people through the prophets?
  2. What does sending the servant away empty reveal about religious activity that produces no fruit for God?
  3. In what ways do churches today sometimes persecute or marginalize prophetic voices calling for reform?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
καὶ1 of 23

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐν2 of 23

“at”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

καιρῷ3 of 23

“the season”

G2540

an occasion, i.e., set or proper time

ἀπέστειλεν4 of 23

“he sent”

G649

set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively

πρὸς5 of 23

“to”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

τοὺς6 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γεωργοὶ7 of 23

“the husbandmen”

G1092

a land-worker, i.e., farmer

δοῦλον8 of 23

“a servant”

G1401

a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)

ἵνα9 of 23

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

ἀπὸ10 of 23

“of”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τοῦ11 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρποῦ12 of 23

“the fruit”

G2590

fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively

τοῦ13 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀμπελῶνος14 of 23

“of the vineyard”

G290

a vineyard

δῶσιν15 of 23

“they should give”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

αὐτὸν16 of 23

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

οἱ17 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ18 of 23

“but”

G1161

but, and, etc

γεωργοὶ19 of 23

“the husbandmen”

G1092

a land-worker, i.e., farmer

δείραντες20 of 23

“beat”

G1194

properly, to flay, i.e., (by implication) to scourge, or (by analogy) to thrash

αὐτὸν21 of 23

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐξαπέστειλαν22 of 23

“and sent him away”

G1821

to send away forth, i.e., (on a mission) to despatch, or (peremptorily) to dismiss

κενόν23 of 23

“empty”

G2756

empty (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 20:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 20:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 9:262 Chronicles 36:15-16Matthew 21:34-36Jeremiah 38:4-62 Chronicles 16:10Jeremiah 26:20-24

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