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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 12:1-12

Christ had formerly in parables showed how he designed to set up the gospel church; now he begins in parables to show how he would lay aside the Jewish church, which it might have been grafted into the stock of, but was built upon the ruins of. This parable we had just as we have it here, Matt. 21:33. We may observe here, I. They that enjoy the privileges of the visible church, have a vineyard let out to them, which is capable of great improvement, and from the occupiers of which rent is... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 12:1-12

12:1-12 Jesus began to speak to them in parables. A man planted a vineyard. He put a hedge round about it, and dug a wine vat, and built a tower. He let it out to cultivators and went abroad. At the right time he sent a servant to the cultivators that he might receive from the cultivators his share of the fruits of the vineyard. They took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent another servant to them. They wounded him in the head, and treated him shamefully. He sent... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 12:4

And again he sent unto them another servant ,.... Another set of good men, to instruct, advise, and counsel them, and exhort them to their duty; such as were Isaiah, Zechariah, and others: and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head ; for of these were stoned, as well as sawn asunder, and slain with the sword; though it seems, that this servant, or this set of men, were not stoned to death, because he was afterwards said to be sent away: nor could the stoning be what was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 12:4

At him they cast stones and wounded him in the head - Or rather, as most learned men agree, they made short work of it, εκεφαλαιωσαν . We have followed the Vulgate, illum in capite vulneraverunt , in translating the original, wounded him in the head, in which signification, I believe, the word is found in no Greek writer. Ανακεφαλαιοομαι signifies to sum up, to comprise, and is used in this sense by St. Paul, Romans 13:9 . From the parable we learn that these people were determined... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:1-12

Rebel vine-dressers. By this time there was no further prospect or possibility that the fate of Jesus might be averted. His entry into Jerusalem in state, and his cleansing of the temple, were acts that the priests, scribes, and Pharisees could not pardon, for they were a claim to authority altogether incompatible with their own. And the words of Jesus were as bold as his acts; their justice and severity enraged the rulers beyond all degree. The enemies of truth and righteousness were by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:1-12

The parable of the vineyard. The imagery adopted would at once address itself to the understanding of the hearers. Palestine pre-eminently a land of the grape. The prophetic writings are full of symbols and figures from the vine. This was spoken in continuation of his dispute with the Sanhedrim, and in the presence of all the people in the temple. The historical allusions to the prophets and the personal one to himself must have been only too clear. It was a detailed and crescent... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:1-12

The parable of the vineyard; or, unfaithfulness and its reward. A rude demand upon Jesus for his authority led him to ask in reply "one question" which awakened the consciences of his interrogators and threw them into confusion and difficulty. They were hurrying him on to his final hour, and he must needs take advantage of every opportunity of finishing the work given him to do. Therefore "in parables" he spake both "unto them" and "against them," which but roused their ire, and sent... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:1-12

The evil husbandmen. I. FAITHLESS TO GOD ; UNJUST TO MEN . If men do not know God, neither can they know those who are sent of him. The Pharisees were set against Jesus because he was the only living presentment of their own neglected duties to God. II. VIOLENCE FALLACIOUS TO THOSE WHO EMPLOY IT . The wicked husbandmen Blindly slay the emissary. It is of no avail. The Erinys, the fury, the avenging spirit of the dead man, will come back. The violence against... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:1-12

Parallel passages: Matthew 21:33-46 ; Luke 20:9-19 .— Parable of the vineyard. I. THE LORD 'S VINEYARD . A vineyard is often used in Scripture as an object of comparison. The heart is probably represented under this pleasing and beautiful image in the Song of Solomon, where it is written, "My mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept." God's ancient people are set forth under the same figure in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:2-5

And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruits of the vineyard . St. Matthew ( Matthew 21:34 ) says he sent "his servants." St. Mark mentions them in detail. These servants were the prophets, as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others, whom the Jews persecuted and slew in different ways, as the reprovers of their vices. But the mercy of God was long-suffering, and still triumphed over their wickedness. In his account of this parable St.... read more

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