Parable of the Vineyard: (Reflection on Mark Chapter 12)
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This Blog Post accompanies myÂ
video reading of Mark 12 published on the Circular Grace YouTubeÂ
channel.
The Vineyard represents Israel
This is a very interesting and insightful chapter and I found jumping into the verse by verse commentaries very helpful. In this post I'll share some brief thoughts but you'll get far more clarity if you follow the links to the published commentary.
The chapter begins with the parable of the vineyard. Jesus shares the gruesome story about the tenant farmers who rise up against the owner of the vineyard they lease.
Enduring Word Commentary
There's a really detailed walkthrough of this parable in this commentary. It begins by sharing some context about the kinds of agricultural agreements in the region of Galilee at the time of Jesus. I was fascinated to learn that archaeologists had found evidence of the kinds of disagreement outlined in the parable.
a. He leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country: This sort of tenant farming relationship was a common practice in Jesus’ day, especially in the region of Galilee. Archaeologists have discovered records of this same sort of dispute between landowners and tenant farmers.
Whilst the historical context of agricultural workers is interesting, far more significant to the Gospel message is what the Jews listening would have understood upon hearing Jesus's words. In the Old Testament the analogy of a vineyard was used to represent Israel. This points the hearer to a contextual understanding of the vinedresser as being the person overseeing the vineyard. In the context of the vineyard being Israel, the vinedresser is a leader of Israel.
b. That he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers: Because Jesus spoke to a Jewish audience, they were aware that the vineyard was used in the Old Testament as a picture of Israel (Isaiah 5:1-7). Therefore, the vinedressers represented the rulers of Israel and the vineyard represented the people of God as a whole.
You can begin to understand why the Pharisees are getting quite hot under their collars. Whilst Rome officially governed Israel, the Jewish religious leaders are responsible for God's people. In this parable, God's people being the fruit of the vineyard.
Imagine being there and hearing Jesus condemn the religious leaders. They are being presented with a choice, do they stand with God's Word or those who are rejecting Him? I imagine that the many do not have ears to hear but that a few truly open their eyes and see. Later this commentary makes the point that the Pharisees are convicted of the Holy Spirit. They have a clear choice, they see the situation clearly but reject Jesus (see later snippet).
Once you understand the context of the parable, it follows that this is a story about leaders of a nation who are violently rebelling against the Lord their God and His Word. Jesus is the Word, the ultimate prophet of the One True God, a final messenger sent by the Father. The parable helps us to see an attempt by the rulers of Israel to take over from God as Lord of God's people.
a. Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? The vinedressers were foolish enough to think that if they only killed the owner’s son, the vineyard would be theirs. Jesus drew the correct point – they rejected messenger after messenger, finally rejecting the Son, so their day of reckoning would come (He will come and destroy the vinedressers).
There's a chilling warning at the end of the parable. Whilst the vinedressers surge ahead with evil intent, their destiny is sealed. They will fail! Judgement will fall and wrongs will be righted.
Here's a reminder of what Jesus warned about the damnation for those leaders who mistreat God's people. Mark 12:38-40 (KJV)
38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, 39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: 40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
Spoiler alert... The tomb is EMPTY!
The Pharisees and Sadducees get a reminder and a lesson on the nature of resurrection later in the chapter. Jesus warns them they are rejecting the truth as given to them through scripture.
I find this really interesting because maybe they could be forgiven for being mistaken but it seems this is a case of wilful disobedience. I'm thinking of the winedressers in the parable. They know they are not legitimate owners of the land. They know they are committing a crime and a sinful act. They do it anyway.
The commentary makes the point that these religious leaders are convicted of the truth of Jesus's words but rather than repent, they double down on their murderous intent to destroy the Son of God. It's a theme that runs through all the Gospel.
It's very sad because, today we are citizens of a World where most people have now been given an opportunity to accept the Gospel of Christ but they actively reject it. Eventually there is a judgement.
d. They knew He had spoken the parable against them: They were cut to the heart and convicted by the Holy Spirit. They reacted to the conviction of the Holy Spirit by rejecting, not by receiving. They plotted to murder Jesus instead of repenting before Him.
This is one of many commentaries and each provide a variety of context to help us think about these verses. Find verse by verse commentary for the rest of the chapter and further explanation on the points I pulled out if you follow this link.
https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/mark-12/
Bible Hub Commentary
The question of whether to give tribute to Caesar or not is interesting. The Jews generally considered that the Romans had no authority to govern them. That the situation was an abomination to God. Here we have the Herodians join the Pharisees, an unnatural alliance. The former are a strange sect of Jews who support Herod to the pont of flattering him with the notion that he may be the prophesied Messiah!
These Herodians were a sect of the Jews who supported the house of Herod, and were in favor of giving tribute to the Roman Caesar. They were so called at first from Herod the Great, who was a great supporter of Caesar. Tertullian, St. Jerome, and others say that these Herodiaus thought that Herod was the promised Messiah, because they saw that in him the scepter had departed from Judah (Genesis 49:10).
Thinking back to the murderous thoughts of the Pharisees, is it any wonder that they have enlisted the support of the Herodians? In their minds the Messiah will physically reign over them as King immediately. They must therefore expect that Jesus will make a move against Herod. This seems an appropriate opportunity for them to temp Jesus to make a verbal stand. Maybe they are hoping the Herodians will have an opportunity to rush back to Herod with news of a war cry?
Our Lord, in his infinite wisdom, avoids the question altogether whether the Jews were rightly in subjection to the Romans. This was a doubtful question. But there could be no doubt as to the fact that they were tributary. This was made plain by the evidence of the current coin. Now, this being so, it was manifestly the duty of the Jewish people to give to Caesar the tribute money which he demanded of them for the expenses of government, and especially of supporting an army to defend them from their enemies.
Jesus did not fall for their evil trap! Instead He points out that they are willingly participating in Herod's Kingdom by accepting his currency as a legitimate form of trade. It seems to be an argument about both rights and responsibilities.
I believe it means that once you come under authority you are bound by the conditions of that authority. Personally, I thought this was interesting. We are all under God's authority, regardless of whether or not we accept or reject God. He is our legitimate Sovereign Lord!
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/mark/12.htm
Bible Ref Commentary
Let's take a look at what Bible Ref have to share about the story of the widow at the end of the chapter. It's an opportunity to see that all is not lost. There are those with eyes that see God and ears that hear God. I liked the way this commentary points at the contrast between the widow and the religious leaders.
Mark next shows Jesus highlighting a woman who is the exact opposite of these foolish leaders. Out of honor to God, a widow donates the last of her meager funds. She has no expectation that she will receive any earthly honor; in fact, she may be scorned for giving so little. But Jesus commends her for giving more to God than any of the leaders who have supposedly dedicated their lives to God's service (Mark 12:41–44).
What a powerful contrast!
For the full commentary, visit the link and scroll to the pop out commentary.
https://www.bibleref.com/Mark/12/Mark-chapter-12.html
I'll leave my comment on commentary there for this week. I hope you managed to understand a little more by reading through. I'd love to hear your thoughts. We're all learning as we read and I know the next time I consider this chapter, I'll be amazed at what more there is to know.
Jesus keeps on sharing and keeps on teaching if we have a heart to keep asking Him to lead us.
Praise Our Almighty Lord for His Grace and Mercy?
There is so much more that could be said on this chapter! Time wasn't on my side to go further but if anybody reading has additional thoughts or comments on verses I didn't specifically cover, I'm more than happy to think further and discuss.