King James Version

What Does Luke 20:13 Mean?

Luke 20:13 in the King James Version says “Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when ...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.”

Luke 20:13 · KJV

Context

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.

13

Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.

14

But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.

15

So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him—The owner's deliberation (τί ποιήσω, ti poiēsō, "What shall I do?") expresses pathos, not uncertainty. After three servants beaten and expelled, he sends his "beloved son" (τὸν υἱόν μου τὸν ἀγαπητόν, ton huion mou ton agapēton). This phrase echoes the Father's declaration at Jesus' baptism and transfiguration (Luke 3:22, 9:35), making the christological reference unmistakable.

"It may be they will reverence him" (ἴσως ἐντραπήσονται, isōs entrapēsontai) expresses hope despite evidence to the contrary. The verb ἐντρέπω (entrepō) means to respect, show deference, feel shame before. The son's status should command respect the servants didn't receive. This reveals the incarnation's logic: God sent His Son as the ultimate revelation and appeal. The phrase also reveals the father's incredible vulnerability—sending his beloved son to violent rebels risks the ultimate loss. This is the gospel: God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son (John 3:16), knowing the world might kill Him.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In Jewish inheritance law, a son held incomparably higher status than servants. The son was the heir, representing the father's authority fully. Dishonoring the son dishonored the father utterly. Jesus' audience would recognize this sending as the ultimate test and ultimate risk. The parable parallels salvation history precisely: after prophets came the Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). John the Baptist, the last prophet, testified, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30), acknowledging Jesus' superior status as the Beloved Son.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the sending of the beloved son reveal both God's love and His desire for humanity's response?
  2. What does the father's hope that they'll reverence the son teach about God's redemptive purpose in sending Jesus?
  3. Why is rejection of the Son infinitely more serious than rejection of the servants?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 18 words
εἶπεν1 of 18

“said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

δὲ2 of 18

“Then”

G1161

but, and, etc

ὁ3 of 18
G3588

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

κύριος4 of 18

“the lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

τοῦ5 of 18
G3588

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

ἀμπελῶνος6 of 18

“of the vineyard”

G290

a vineyard

Τί7 of 18

“What”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ποιήσω8 of 18

“shall I do”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

πέμψω9 of 18

“I will send”

G3992

to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ???? (as a stronger form of ????) refers rather to the objective point or <i>term

τὸν10 of 18
G3588

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

υἱόν11 of 18

“son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

μου12 of 18

“my”

G3450

of me

τὸν13 of 18
G3588

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

ἀγαπητόν·14 of 18

“beloved”

G27

beloved

ἴσως15 of 18

“it may be”

G2481

likely, i.e., perhaps

τοῦτον16 of 18

“him”

G5126

this (person, as objective of verb or preposition)

ἰδόντες17 of 18

“him when they see”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ἐντραπήσονται18 of 18

“they will reverence”

G1788

to invert, i.e., (figuratively and reflexively) in a good sense, to respect; or in a bad one, to confound

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 20:13 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 20:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 3:17John 3:16-17Jeremiah 36:3Jeremiah 36:7John 1:34John 3:35-36

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