Then Jesus began teaching them with stories:“ A man planted a vineyard. He built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country.

耶稣就用比喻对他们说：“有人栽了一个葡萄园，周围圈上篱笆，挖了一个压酒池，盖了一座楼，租给园户，就往外国去了。

耶稣就用比喻对他们说：“有人开垦了一个葡萄园，四周围上篱笆，挖了一个榨酒池，盖了一座守望楼，租给园户，就出外远行去了。

耶稣就用比喻对他们说：“有人开垦了一个葡萄园，四周围上篱笆，挖了一个榨酒池，盖了一座守望楼，租给园户，就出外远行去了。

耶稣用比喻对他们说：“有人开辟了一个葡萄园，在四周筑起篱笆，又在园中挖了一个榨酒池，建了一座瞭望台，然后把葡萄园租给佃户，就出远门了。

耶稣又用比喻对他们说：“有一个人栽种了一个葡萄园，四面围上篱笆，挖了一个压酒池，盖了一座瞭望台，然后租给佃户，就远行去了。

耶稣开始用比喻对他们说：“有一个人栽种了一个葡萄园，四面围上篱笆，挖了一个榨酒池，盖了一座守望楼，然后把葡萄园租给一些农夫，就出外旅行。

耶穌就用比喻對他們說：「有人栽了一個葡萄園，周圍圈上籬笆，挖了一個壓酒池，蓋了一座樓，租給園戶，就往外國去了。

耶穌就用比喻對他們說：「有人開墾了一個葡萄園，四周圍上籬笆，挖了一個醡酒池，蓋了一座守望樓，租給園戶，就出外遠行去了。

耶穌就用比喻對他們說：「有人開墾了一個葡萄園，四周圍上籬笆，挖了一個醡酒池，蓋了一座守望樓，租給園戶，就出外遠行去了。

耶穌用比喻對他們說：「有人開闢了一個葡萄園，在四周築起籬笆，又在園中挖了一個榨酒池，建了一座瞭望臺，然後把葡萄園租給佃戶，就出遠門了。

耶穌又用比喻對他們說：“有一個人栽種了一個葡萄園，四面圍上籬笆，挖了一個壓酒池，蓋了一座瞭望臺，然後租給佃戶，就遠行去了。

耶穌就用比喻對他們講：『有一個人栽了一個葡萄園，周圍安上籬笆，挖了一個壓酒池，造了一座守望樓，租給葡萄園工，就出外而去。

耶穌開始用比喻對他們說：「有一個人栽種了一個葡萄園，四面圍上籬笆，挖了一個榨酒池，蓋了一座守望樓，然後把葡萄園租給一些農夫，就出外旅行。

耶穌以喻語眾曰、有樹葡萄園者、環之以籬、掘酒醡、建望樓、租與農夫、遂往異地、

耶穌設譬曰、有人樹葡萄園、以籬環之、掘酒醡、建塔、租與農夫、遂往異地、

耶穌設喻告眾曰、有人樹葡萄園、以籬環之、掘壓酒處、建望樓、租與園夫、遂往他方、

耶穌設譬訓眾曰：『人有經營葡萄園者、藩之以籬、掘酒池、建高樓、乃租於園戶；而己則出遊國外。

Jesus then began to speak to them in parables:“ A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place.

Jesus began to speak to the people using stories. He said,“ A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it. He dug a pit for a winepress. He also built a lookout tower. He rented the vineyard out to some farmers. Then he went to another place.

And he began to speak to them in parables.“ A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and leased it to tenants and went into another country.

He began to speak to them in parables:“ A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug out a pit for a winepress, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and went away.

And He began to speak to them in parables:“ A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it, and dug a vat under the wine press and built a tower, and leased it to vine growers and went on a journey.

Then He began to speak to them in parables:“ A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country.

And he began to speak unto them in parables. A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a pit for the winepress, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country.

Then He began to speak to them in parables:“ A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug out a pit for a winepress, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and went away.

And he began to speak unto them by parables. A[ certain] man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about[ it], and digged[ a place for] the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.

Then he began to speak to them in parables:“ A man planted a vineyard. He put a fence around it, dug a pit for its winepress, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and went on a journey.

He began to speak to them in parables.“ A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the wine press, built a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country.

“ Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.

Now I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a rich and fertile hill.He plowed the land, cleared its stones, and planted it with the best vines. In the middle he built a watchtower and carved a winepress in the nearby rocks. Then he waited for a harvest of sweet grapes, but the grapes that grew were bitter.Now, you people of Jerusalem and Judah, you judge between me and my vineyard.What more could I have done for my vineyard that I have not already done? When I expected sweet grapes, why did my vineyard give me bitter grapes?

“ The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return.

He taught them by telling many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:

Solomon has a vineyard at Baal hamon, which he leases out to tenant farmers. Each of them pays a thousand pieces of silver for harvesting its fruit.But my vineyard is mine to give, and Solomon need not pay a thousand pieces of silver. But I will give two hundred pieces to those who care for its vines.

Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand.In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.

You brought us from Egypt like a grapevine; you drove away the pagan nations and transplanted us into your land.You cleared the ground for us, and we took root and filled the land.Our shade covered the mountains; our branches covered the mighty cedars.We spread our branches west to the Mediterranean Sea; our shoots spread east to the Euphrates River.But now, why have you broken down our walls so that all who pass by may steal our fruit?The wild boar from the forest devours it, and the wild animals feed on it.Come back, we beg you, O God of Heaven’s Armies. Look down from heaven and see our plight. Take care of this grapevinethat you yourself have planted, this son you have raised for yourself.For we are chopped up and burned by our enemies. May they perish at the sight of your frown.

They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God’s adopted children. God revealed his glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave them his law. He gave them the privilege of worshiping him and receiving his wonderful promises.Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are their ancestors, and Christ himself was an Israelite as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, the one who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

Then what’s the advantage of being a Jew? Is there any value in the ceremony of circumcision?Yes, there are great benefits! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God.

Moses was with our ancestors, the assembly of God’s people in the wilderness, when the angel spoke to him at Mount Sinai. And there Moses received life giving words to pass on to us.

But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree— some of the people of Israel— have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree.But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.“ Well,” you may say,“ those branches were broken off to make room for me.”Yes, but remember— those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen.For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either.Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree.You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong.

“ David found favor with God and asked for the privilege of building a permanent Temple for the God of Jacob.But it was Solomon who actually built it.

Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables.This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet:“ I will speak to you in parables. I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world.”

Then Jesus began teaching them with stories:“ A man planted a vineyard. He built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country.At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop.But the farmers grabbed the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty handed.The owner then sent another servant, but they insulted him and beat him over the head.The next servant he sent was killed. Others he sent were either beaten or killed,until there was only one left— his son whom he loved dearly. The owner finally sent him, thinking,‘ Surely they will respect my son.’“ But the tenant farmers said to one another,‘ Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’So they grabbed him and murdered him and threw his body out of the vineyard.“ What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do?” Jesus asked.“ I’ll tell you— he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others.Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures?‘ The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.’”The religious leaders wanted to arrest Jesus because they realized he was telling the story against them— they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the crowd, so they left him and went away.

Then Jesus told this story:“ A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed.Finally, he said to his gardener,‘ I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’“ The gardener answered,‘ Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer.If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’”

There I gave them my decrees and regulations so they could find life by keeping them.And I gave them my Sabbath days of rest as a sign between them and me. It was to remind them that I am the Lord, who had set them apart to be holy.

“ Then I warned their children not to follow in their parents’ footsteps, defiling themselves with their idols.‘ I am the Lord your God,’ I told them.‘ Follow my decrees, pay attention to my regulations,and keep my Sabbath days holy, for they are a sign to remind you that I am the Lord your God.’

“ A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living.

In that day the lush vineyards, now worth 1,000 pieces of silver, will become patches of briers and thorns.

He has revealed his words to Jacob, his decrees and regulations to Israel.He has not done this for any other nation; they do not know his regulations. Praise the Lord!

He chose instead the tribe of Judah, and Mount Zion, which he loved.There he built his sanctuary as high as the heavens, as solid and enduring as the earth.

Now Jesus turned to the people again and told them this story:“ A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and moved to another country to live for several years.At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop. But the farmers attacked the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty handed.So the owner sent another servant, but they also insulted him, beat him up, and sent him away empty handed.A third man was sent, and they wounded him and chased him away.“‘ What will I do?’ the owner asked himself.‘ I know! I’ll send my cherished son. Surely they will respect him.’“ But when the tenant farmers saw his son, they said to each other,‘ Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’So they dragged him out of the vineyard and murdered him.“ What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do to them?” Jesus asked.“ I’ll tell you— he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others.”“ How terrible that such a thing should ever happen,” his listeners protested.Jesus looked at them and said,“ Then what does this Scripture mean?‘ The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’Everyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.”The teachers of religious law and the leading priests wanted to arrest Jesus immediately because they realized he was telling the story against them— they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the people’s reaction.

His disciples came and asked him,“ Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”He replied,“ You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says,‘ When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’

“ I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.“ Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

“ You came down at Mount Sinai and spoke to them from heaven. You gave them regulations and instructions that were just, and decrees and commands that were good.You instructed them concerning your holy Sabbath. And you commanded them, through Moses your servant, to obey all your commands, decrees, and instructions.

But I was the one who planted you, choosing a vine of the purest stock— the very best. How did you grow into this corrupt wild vine?

“ But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy,‘ Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’The son answered,‘ No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway.Then the father told the other son,‘ You go,’ and he said,‘ Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.“ Which of the two obeyed his father?” They replied,“ The first.” Then Jesus explained his meaning:“ I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do.For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.“ Now listen to another story. A certain landowner planted a vineyard, built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country.At the time of the grape harvest, he sent his servants to collect his share of the crop.But the farmers grabbed his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another.So the landowner sent a larger group of his servants to collect for him, but the results were the same.“ Finally, the owner sent his son, thinking,‘ Surely they will respect my son.’“ But when the tenant farmers saw his son coming, they said to one another,‘ Here comes the heir to this estate. Come on, let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’So they grabbed him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and murdered him.“ When the owner of the vineyard returns,” Jesus asked,“ what do you think he will do to those farmers?”The religious leaders replied,“ He will put the wicked men to a horrible death and lease the vineyard to others who will give him his share of the crop after each harvest.”Then Jesus asked them,“ Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures?‘ The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.’I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit.Anyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.”When the leading priests and Pharisees heard this parable, they realized he was telling the story against them— they were the wicked farmers.They wanted to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowds, who considered Jesus to be a prophet.Jesus also told them other parables. He said,“ The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son.When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come!“ So he sent other servants to tell them,‘ The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business.Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them.“ The king was furious, and he sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their town.And he said to his servants,‘ The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor.Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.“ But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding.‘ Friend,’ he asked,‘ how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply.Then the king said to his aides,‘ Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’“ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Then I said,“ O Sovereign Lord, they are saying of me,‘ He only talks in riddles!’”

He replied,“ You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders,so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:‘ When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven.’”Then Jesus said to them,“ If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?

He said,“ A nobleman was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return.

He replied,“ You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:‘ When they look, they won’t really see. When they hear, they won’t understand.’

“ Where do you want us to prepare it?” they asked him.