121 And he began to speak to them in similes: 'A man planted a vineyard, and put a hedge around, and digged an under-winevat, and built a tower, and gave it out to husbandmen, and went abroad; 2 and he sent unto the husbandmen at the due time a servant, that from the husbandmen he may receive from the fruit of the vineyard, 3 and they, having taken him, did severely beat 'him', and did send him away empty. 4 'And again he sent unto them another servant, and at that one having cast stones, they wounded 'him' in the head, and sent away—dishonoured. 5 'And again he sent another, and that one they killed; and many others, some beating, and some killing. 6 'Having yet therefore one son—his beloved—he sent also him unto them last, saying—They will reverence my son; 7 and those husbandmen said among themselves—This is the heir, come, we may kill him, and ours shall be the inheritance; 8 and having taken him, they did kill, and cast 'him' forth without the vineyard. 9 'What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard to others. 10 And this Writing did ye not read: A stone that the builders rejected, it did become the head of a corner: 11 from the Lord was this, and it is wonderful in our eyes.' 12 And they were seeking to lay hold on him, and they feared the multitude, for they knew that against them he spake the simile, and having left him, they went away;
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 12:1-12
Commentary on Mark 12:1-12
(Read Mark 12:1-12)
Christ showed in parables, that he would lay aside the Jewish church. It is sad to think what base usage God's faithful ministers have met with in all ages, from those who have enjoyed the privileges of the church, but have not brought forth fruit answerable. God at length sent his Son, his Well-beloved; and it might be expected that he whom their Master loved, they also should respect and love; but instead of honouring him because he was the Son and Heir, they therefore hated him. But the exaltation of Christ was the Lord's doing; and it is his doing to exalt him in our hearts, and to set up his throne there; and if this be done, it cannot but be marvellous in our eyes. The Scriptures, and faithful preachers, and the coming of Christ in the flesh, call on us to render due praise to God in our lives. Let sinners beware of a proud, carnal spirit; if they revile or despise the preachers of Christ, they would have done so their Master, had they lived when he was upon earth.