King James Version

What Does Luke 20:15 Mean?

Luke 20:15 in the King James Version says “So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?” — study this verse from Luke chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Luke 20:15 · KJV

Context

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?

16

He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid .

17

And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? The murder is stated simply: "cast him out" (ἐκβαλόντες, ekbalontes) and "killed" (ἀπέκτειναν, apekteinan). Casting him "out of the vineyard" prophetically corresponds to Jesus' crucifixion "outside the gate" (Hebrews 13:12)—executed beyond Jerusalem's walls as a criminal. The tenants' crime is complete: they've murdered the beloved son to steal the inheritance.

Jesus then poses the rhetorical question: "What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?" (τί οὖν ποιήσει αὐτοῖς ὁ κύριος τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος, ti oun poiēsei autois ho kyrios tou ampelōnos). The question forces the audience to pronounce judgment on the tenants—and unknowingly on themselves. The "therefore" (οὖν, oun) indicates necessary consequence. Justice demands response to such heinous crime. By making the audience answer, Jesus ensures they cannot later claim the judgment was unfair—they themselves acknowledge its justice.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus' crucifixion fulfilled this prophecy precisely. The Sanhedrin handed Jesus to Pilate for execution (Luke 23:1-25). He was crucified at Golgotha, "outside the gate," treated as a cursed criminal (Deuteronomy 21:23, Galatians 3:13). The religious leaders believed killing Jesus would end the threat to their authority. Instead, His resurrection vindicated His claims, and His death became the very means of salvation. The judgment Jesus predicted came in 70 AD when Rome destroyed Jerusalem—the vineyard given to others (Gentile believers grafted into God's people, Romans 11:17-24).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' crucifixion "outside the gate" fulfill both the parable and the prophetic pattern of rejected messengers?
  2. What does the question "What shall the lord do?" teach about the necessity of divine judgment for such rebellion?
  3. Why is killing the son the climactic sin that brings inevitable judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 15 words
καὶ1 of 15

“So”

G2532

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

ἐκβαλόντες2 of 15

“they cast”

G1544

to eject (literally or figuratively)

αὐτοῖς3 of 15

“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

ἔξω4 of 15

“out of”

G1854

out(-side) (of doors), literally or figuratively

τοῦ5 of 15
G3588

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

ἀμπελῶνος6 of 15

“of the vineyard”

G290

a vineyard

ἀπέκτειναν7 of 15

“and killed”

G615

to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy

τί8 of 15

“him What”

G5101

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

οὖν9 of 15

“therefore”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

ποιήσει10 of 15

“do”

G4160

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

αὐτοῖς11 of 15

“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

ὁ12 of 15
G3588

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

κύριος13 of 15

“the lord”

G2962

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

τοῦ14 of 15
G3588

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

ἀμπελῶνος15 of 15

“of the vineyard”

G290

a vineyard

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 20:15 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 20:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 13:12Matthew 21:37-40Mark 12:6-9

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