Luke 20 13

Luke 20:13 kjv

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 nkjv

"Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. Probably they will respect him when they see him.'

Luke 20:13 niv

"Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.'

Luke 20:13 esv

Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.'

Luke 20:13 nlt

"'What will I do?' the owner asked himself. 'I know! I'll send my cherished son. Surely they will respect him.'

Luke 20 verses

Luke 20 13 Meaning

Luke 20:13 captures a pivotal moment in the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, revealing the vineyard owner's ultimate decision to send his only, uniquely precious son, hoping for a different outcome from the rejection of previous messengers. This portrays God's profound patience and sacrificial love, making a final, supreme appeal to His covenant people, the religious leaders representing them, before impending judgment. It underscores the unparalleled value and authority of the Son as the culmination of God's redemptive dealings with humanity.

Luke 20 13 Context

Luke 20:13 is situated within the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers (Luke 20:9-19), which Jesus narrates in the temple courts of Jerusalem during His final week before His crucifixion. The religious authorities—the chief priests, scribes, and elders—had just confronted Jesus, demanding to know by what authority He performed His ministry (Luke 20:1-8). This parable serves as Jesus' direct response and veiled indictment of these very leaders.

The "vineyard" immediately brings to mind Isa 5:1-7, where Israel is depicted as God's vineyard. The "owner" represents God Himself. The "vinedressers" or tenants represent the religious leaders of Israel (and symbolically, all who were entrusted with caring for God's people). The "servants" repeatedly sent by the owner are the prophets God sent throughout history to call Israel to repentance and obedience. The refusal of the vinedressers to yield the vineyard's fruit, and their subsequent ill-treatment, beating, and even killing of the servants, reflects Israel's persistent rejection and persecution of God's prophets throughout its history.

This parable is a clear polemic, exposing the unfaithfulness and greed of the Jewish religious establishment. It foreshadows their ultimate act of rejecting and killing God's Son, Jesus, while simultaneously predicting the transfer of the kingdom's stewardship from these leaders to others who will bear its fruit (Luke 20:16; Matt 21:43). The historical context is crucial: it’s Jesus’ last public teaching before His Passion, setting the stage for His arrest and crucifixion by those very leaders who understood the parable was aimed at them (Luke 20:19).

Luke 20 13 Word analysis

• Then the owner: The Greek term for "owner" is ho kyrios (ὁ κύριος), meaning "the lord" or "the master." This emphasizes absolute authority and dominion over the vineyard, clearly representing God's ultimate sovereignty. This figure of speech implies divine ownership over Israel, and by extension, over all creation.
• of the vineyard: tou ampelōnos (τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος). The vineyard (ἀμπελῶν) is a potent biblical metaphor, rooted deeply in the Old Testament, particularly Isa 5:1-7, symbolizing the nation of Israel and, in broader New Testament applications, the people of God or the Kingdom of God that is meant to bear fruit for Him.
• said, ‘What shall I do?: eipen, 'Ti poiēsō?' (εἶπεν, 'Τί ποιήσω;'). The question "What shall I do?" is a deliberative rhetorical question. It does not suggest God's ignorance or indecisiveness, but rather His profound and long-suffering patience in the face of escalating human rebellion. It marks a moment of supreme reflection before God makes His ultimate and most costly act. It underscores the severity of the situation and the unresponsiveness of the tenants despite all previous attempts.
• I will send: Pempsō (Πέμψω). This is a strong, definitive future indicative verb, "I will send," showing a firm resolve and divine purpose. God's action is intentional and strategic, moving His plan towards its climax.
• my beloved son: ton hyion mou ton agapēton (τὸν υἱόν μου τὸν ἀγαπητόν).
  • Hyios mou (υἱός μου): "My Son." This singular, emphatic term highlights a unique, unrepeatable relationship.
  • Ton agapēton (τὸν ἀγαπητόν): "The Beloved One." This Greek adjective signifies unique, chosen, and dearly loved. It directly links to the divine declarations at Jesus' baptism (Luke 3:22) and Transfiguration (Luke 9:35), where He is explicitly called God's "Beloved Son." The Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) uses the same phrase (τὸν υἱόν σου τὸν ἀγαπητόν) to describe Isaac as Abraham’s "only son whom he loved" in Gen 22:2, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of God's unique Son. This emphasizes the Son's inherent dignity, unparalleled worth, and the costliness of sending Him.
• perhaps they will respect him. : isōs touton entrapēsontai. (ἴσως τοῦτον ἐντραπήσονται).
  • Isōs (ἴσως): "Perhaps" or "maybe." This does not convey uncertainty in God’s omniscience. Rather, it dramatically highlights the vinedressers' final, profound opportunity for repentance and obedience. It underscores God's deep desire for their return, extending mercy to the last possible moment. It sets up the ironic tragic outcome where they, instead of showing respect, will show the utmost contempt.
  • Entrapēsontai (ἐντραπήσονται): "they will respect," "they will feel ashamed (and respect)." The verb means to "be shamed, put to shame," or "reverence, respect, be awed by." It carries the connotation that they should feel ashamed for their previous behavior and should be moved to reverence by the Son's presence and authority. It suggests an ultimate test of their moral conscience and an expectation of appropriate conduct towards such a revered figure.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do?'": This phrase encapsulates divine patience at its limit, contemplating a definitive action. It demonstrates that God's plan is not haphazard but deliberate, despite human rebellion.
• "I will send my beloved son;": This is the pinnacle of God's redemptive strategy. It emphasizes the Son's unparalleled status and unique relationship with the Father, portraying Him as the supreme and final divine envoy. The deliberate sending of "the Beloved Son" highlights the gravity of His mission and His unique authority.
• "perhaps they will respect him.": This concluding thought for the verse dramatically presents the ultimate test and ultimate opportunity given to the rebellious vinedressers. It accentuates God’s persistent hope and gracious offer of recognition and repentance, even while knowing (from an omniscient perspective, implicitly) the tragic outcome. It underscores the culpability of those who will reject such a magnificent offering.

Luke 20 13 Bonus section

The profound identification of Jesus as "the beloved Son" (ho agapetos) establishes a direct parallel with Isaac in Gen 22:2, who is called Abraham's "only son, whom he loves." This connection suggests an impending, costly sacrifice of the unique and beloved Son, foreshadowing Jesus' crucifixion. This phrase also explicitly links the narrative back to divine declarations made at Jesus' baptism and Transfiguration, solidifying His divine identity and supreme authority for the audience. The entire parable, culminating in this verse, implicitly challenges the Jewish religious leaders' claim to represent God while they consistently rejected His messengers and were poised to reject His Son. Their expected role was to cultivate the vineyard for the owner's benefit, but their focus shifted to seizing ownership and profiting themselves.

Luke 20 13 Commentary

Luke 20:13 serves as the climax of the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, revealing the astonishing depth of the vineyard owner's—God's—patience and sacrificial love. After His repeated messengers (the prophets) were abused and rejected, the owner determines a final, supreme act: sending His own Son, His "Beloved One." This choice demonstrates that there is no greater offering God could make to call His people to account and elicit their rightful reverence. The descriptive phrase "my beloved son" immediately points to Jesus Christ, affirmed as God's beloved at His baptism and transfiguration, highlighting His unique divine nature and authority. The owner's internal question, "What shall I do?" while not reflecting indecision in God, rather underscores the culmination of divine patience and a strategic resolve for the definitive appeal. The hope, "perhaps they will respect him," highlights the final, momentous opportunity afforded to the vinedressers, the religious leaders of Israel. Tragically, this hope would not be met; instead of respect, the Son would face the ultimate rejection, fulfilling the very prophetic warning embedded in the parable, and leading to His crucifixion. This parable thus acts as both a poignant revelation of God's self-giving love and a severe warning of judgment for those who reject His ultimate appeal.