Mark 12:1–12
The rejected Son becomes the cornerstone of God’s redemptive plan.
1 He began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the wine press, built a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country.
2 When it was time, he sent a servant to the farmer to get from the farmer his share of the fruit of the vineyard.
3 They took him, beat him, and sent him away empty.
4 Again, he sent another servant to them; and they threw stones at him, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated.
5 Again he sent another; and they killed him; and many others, beating some, and killing some.
6 Therefore still having one, his beloved son, he sent him last to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’
7 But those farmers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
8 They took him, killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
9 What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers, and will give the vineyard to others.
10 Haven’t you even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of the corner.
11 This was from the Lord. It is marvelous in our eyes’?”
12 They tried to seize him, but they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spoke the parable against them. They left him, and went away.
The rejected Son becomes the cornerstone of God’s redemptive plan.
To expose Israel’s leaders as rejecters of God’s messengers and the beloved Son, affirming divine judgment and redemptive reversal.
This parable follows the authority confrontation (11:27–33) and directly addresses the religious leaders, intensifying conflict and foreshadowing the crucifixion.
Vineyard imagery was commonly associated with Israel (Isaiah 5:1–7). Tenant farming arrangements were typical in first-century Palestine. Violent resistance to landowners was historically known.
The Rejected Son, the Greatest Commandment, the Lord of David, and the Widow’s Offering
Jesus exposes the leaders' rejection of God's beloved Son, answers every trap with divine wisdom, reveals the heart of covenant obedience as love for God and neighbor, deepens the identity of the Messiah as David's Lord, and contrasts religious exploitation with costly devotion.