MARK 12:1-12

MARK 12:1-12

MARK 12:1-12 - The vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the house of Israel, as we are told in Isaiah 5:7. Settled by God in the land of Canaan they had been cared for and ministered to by Him in a marvelous way, and placed under the care of those who should have watched for their souls and sought to so cultivate them spiritually that there would be abundant fruit for Him. But the husbandmen, or vine-dressers, thought only of their own selfish interests, and failed to render to Jehovah that love and reverence which He had the right to expect. When He sent His prophets to them they either sent them away empty, treating them with utter indifference, or else persecuted them even unto death for daring to reprove them because of their wickedness. Throughout the centuries this had been their attitude. Now God had sent His Son who, in Himself, was the final test as to the love and loyalty of Israel. When the leaders saw Him they spurned His claim and sought His destruction, saying, “This is the Heir; come, let us kill Him, and the inheritance shall be our’s.”  

Verse 8 is prophetic and was fulfilled just a few days later. “They took Him, and killed Him, and cast Him out of the vineyard.” It was thus that Jesus told them of His own rejection and death even before it came to pass.

Then He put the question to them, “What shall therefore the Lord of the vineyard do?” The answer was plain, “He will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.” Israel was to be set to one side while grace should flow out to the Gentiles. 

   This was in accord with what was written in Psalm 118:22, “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.” So He spoke not only of death but of resurrection, because as the first begotten from the dead Jesus has been made the Chief Corner Stone. “This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.”

The parable and its application stirred the leaders to additional resentfulness. They realized He had spoken of them, but for the time being they dared not proceed against Him openly because they feared the reaction of the people generally.