121 And he began to say to them in parables, A man planted a vineyard, and made a fence round [it] and dug a wine-vat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and left the country. 2 And he sent a bondman to the husbandmen at the season, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 But they took him, and beat [him], and sent [him] away empty. 4 And again he sent to them another bondman; and [at] him they [threw stones, and] struck [him] on the head, and sent [him] away with insult. 5 And [again] he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some. 6 Having yet therefore one beloved son, he sent also him to them the last, saying, They will have respect for my son. 7 But those husbandmen said to one another, This is the heir: come, let us kill him and the inheritance will be ours. 8 And they took him and killed him, and cast him forth out of 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 Have ye not even read this scripture, The stone which they that builded rejected, this has become the corner-stone: 11 this is of [the] Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes? 12 And they sought to lay hold of him, and they feared the crowd; for they knew that he had spoken the parable of them. And they left him and 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.