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Book of Luke - Chapter 20 - Verse 16

20:16
He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.

Meaning

In this verse, Jesus tells a parable about a vineyard owner who sends servants to collect fruits from his vineyard. However, the tenants mistreat and even kill the servants. Finally, the owner sends his son, thinking they will respect him, but they instead kill him as well. When the listeners hear that the owner will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others, they respond with disbelief, saying "God forbid." This verse serves as a warning about the consequences of rejecting God's messengers and ultimately His Son. It illustrates the concept of God's judgment on those who refuse to acknowledge Him and the blessings being passed on to those who accept His message. It serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and honoring God's authority in our lives and being faithful stewards of His gifts. The verse encourages readers to reflect on their own response to God's messengers and to ensure they are bearing fruit in their lives that glorifies Him.

Theological Overview

In this verse, Jesus uses a parable to convey a powerful message about the consequences of rejecting Him as the Son of God. The "husbandmen" in this parable are the religious leaders who were entrusted with caring for God's people, but instead, they rejected His messengers, including Jesus, and sought to harm them. The phrase "He shall come and destroy these husbandmen" refers to God's judgment upon those who reject His authority. The vineyard, symbolizing God's kingdom, is then given to others, signifying the inclusion of the Gentiles in God's salvation plan. The reaction of the people, saying "God forbid," reflects their shock and disbelief at the idea of God's judgment falling upon the religious leaders. It serves as a warning for all who hear Jesus' words to heed His message and accept Him as the cornerstone of their faith.

American Standard Version

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