Study Desk

One^(a) day^[a] as He was teaching^(b) the people in the temple complex and proclaiming the good news,^(c) the chief priests and the scribes, with the elders,^(d) came up

and said to Him: "Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things? Who is it who gave You this authority?"

He answered them, "I will also ask you a question. Tell Me,

was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?"

They discussed it among themselves: "If we say, ‘From heaven,' He will say, ‘Why didn't you believe him?'

But if we say, ‘From men,' all the people^(e) will stone us, because they are convinced that John was a prophet."^(f)

So they answered that they did not know its origin.^[b]

And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

Then^(g) He began to tell the people this parable: "A man planted a vineyard,^(h) leased it to tenant farmers, and went away for a long time.

At harvest time he sent a slave to the farmers so that they might give him some fruit from the vineyard. But the farmers beat him and sent him away empty-handed.

He sent yet another slave, but they beat that one too, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed.

And he sent yet a third, but they wounded this one too and threw him out.

"Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What should I do? I will send my beloved⁽ⁱ⁾ son. Perhaps^[c] they will respect him.'

"But when the tenant farmers saw him, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir. Let's kill him, so the inheritance will be ours!'^(j)

So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. "Therefore, what will the owner of the vineyard do to them?

He will come and destroy^(k) those farmers and give the vineyard to others." But when they heard this they said, "No—never!"^(l)

But He looked at them and said, "Then what is the meaning of this Scripture: ^[d](m) The stone that the builders rejected— this has become the cornerstone ? ^[e](n)[f]

Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and if it falls on anyone, it will grind him to powder!" ^(o)

Then the scribes and the chief priests^(p) looked for a way to get their hands on Him^(q) that very hour, because they knew He had told this parable against them, but they feared the people.^(r)

They^[g](s) watched closely^(t) and sent spies^(u) who pretended to be righteous,^[h] so they could catch Him in what He said,^[i](v) to hand Him^(w) over to the governor's^(x) rule and authority.

They questioned Him, "Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly,^(y) and You don't show partiality,^[j](z) but teach truthfully the way of God.^(aa)

Is it lawful^(ab) for us to pay taxes^(ac) to Caesar^(ad) or not?"

But detecting their craftiness, He said to them,^[k]

"Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?" "Caesar's," they said.

"Well then," He told them, "give back to Caesar^(ae) the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's."

They were not able to catch Him in what He said^[l] in public,^[m] and being amazed at His answer, they became silent.^(af)