King James Version

What Does Luke 20:9 Mean?

Luke 20:9 in the King James Version says “Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and... — study this verse from Luke chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 20:9 · KJV


Context

7

And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—Jesus shifts from the hostile leaders to the people, speaking a parable (παραβολήν, parabolēn) that will indict the Sanhedrin. The vineyard imagery evokes Isaiah 5:1-7, where God's vineyard is Israel. The "certain man" (ἄνθρωπός τις, anthrōpos tis) represents God; the "husbandmen" (γεωργοῖς, geōrgois, tenant farmers) represent Israel's religious leaders entrusted with God's people.

The phrase "went into a far country for a long time" (ἀπεδήμησεν χρόνους ἱκανούς, apedemēsen chronous hikanous) indicates God's patient forbearance—the owner trusts the tenants and gives them time and freedom to manage the vineyard. This extended absence tests their faithfulness. Will they honor the owner's rights, or will they act as if the vineyard belongs to them? The parable prophetically describes Israel's history: God entrusted His covenant people to leaders who increasingly acted as if they owned rather than stewarded God's inheritance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Tenant farming was common in first-century Palestine. Wealthy landowners would lease vineyards to tenant farmers who paid rent with a portion of the produce. The arrangement described—an absentee landlord and tenant farmers—was familiar. Isaiah 5:1-7 established vineyard imagery for Israel, making Jesus' allusion unmistakable to His audience. The parable's trajectory would shock listeners: tenant farmers rejecting the owner's authority was unthinkable, yet it perfectly described Israel's treatment of God's prophets throughout history.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the vineyard imagery connect Jesus' teaching to Israel's prophetic tradition?
  2. What does God's "far country" absence teach about His patient forbearance and humanity's stewardship responsibility?
  3. In what ways do religious leaders today sometimes act as owners rather than stewards of God's people?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
Ἤρξατο1 of 21

began he

G756

to commence (in order of time)

δὲ2 of 21

Then

G1161

but, and, etc

πρὸς3 of 21

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,

τὸν4 of 21
G3588

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

λαὸν5 of 21

the people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

λέγειν6 of 21

to speak

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

τὴν7 of 21
G3588

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

παραβολὴν8 of 21

parable

G3850

a similitude ("parable"), i.e., (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage

ταύτην·9 of 21
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

Ἄνθρωπός10 of 21

man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

τις11 of 21

A certain

G5100

some or any person or object

ἐφύτευσεν12 of 21

planted

G5452

to set out in the earth, i.e., implant; figuratively, to instil doctrine

ἀμπελῶνα13 of 21

a vineyard

G290

a vineyard

καὶ14 of 21

and

G2532

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

ἐξέδοτο15 of 21

forth

G1554

to give forth, i.e., (specially) to lease

αὐτὸν16 of 21

it

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

γεωργοῖς17 of 21

to husbandmen

G1092

a land-worker, i.e., farmer

καὶ18 of 21

and

G2532

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

ἀπεδήμησεν19 of 21

went into a far country

G589

to go abroad, i.e., visit a foreign land

χρόνους20 of 21

time

G5550

a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from g2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from g0165, which denotes a

ἱκανούς21 of 21

for a long

G2425

competent (as if coming in season), i.e., ample (in amount) or fit (in character)


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 20:9 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 20:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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