New International Version“But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
New Living Translation“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!’
English Standard VersionBut those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
Berean Standard BibleBut the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
Berean Literal BibleBut those farmers said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.'
King James BibleBut those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.
New King James VersionBut those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
New American Standard BibleBut those vine-growers said to one another, ‘This is the heir; come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!’
NASB 1995“But those vine-growers said to one another, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!’
NASB 1977 “But those vine-growers said to one another, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!’
Legacy Standard Bible But those vine-growers said to one another, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!’
Amplified BibleBut those tenants said to each other, ‘This man is the heir! Come on, let us kill him [and destroy the evidence], and his inheritance will be ours!’
Christian Standard BibleBut those tenant farmers said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
Holman Christian Standard Bible“But those tenant farmers said among themselves, This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!’
American Standard VersionBut those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.
Contemporary English VersionBut they said to themselves, "Someday he will own this vineyard. Let's kill him! That way we can have it all for ourselves."
English Revised VersionBut those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.
GOD'S WORD® Translation"But those workers said to one another, 'This is the heir. Let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.'
Good News TranslationBut those tenants said to one another, 'This is the owner's son. Come on, let's kill him, and his property will be ours!'
International Standard VersionBut those farmers told one another, 'This is the heir. Come on, let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!'
NET BibleBut those tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and the inheritance will be ours!'
New Heart English BibleBut those farmers said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.'
Webster's Bible TranslationBut those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.
Weymouth New Testament"But those men--the vine-dressers--said to one another, "'Here is the heir: come, let us kill him, and then the property will one day be ours.' Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
World English BibleBut those farmers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand those farmers said among themselves, This is the heir, come, we may kill him, and the inheritance will be ours;
Berean Literal BibleBut those farmers said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.'
Young's Literal Translation and those husbandmen said among themselves -- This is the heir, come, we may kill him, and ours shall be the inheritance;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd these husbandmen said with themselves, That this is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be our's. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut the husbandmen said one to another: This is the heir; come let us kill him; and the inheritance shall be ours.
Catholic Public Domain VersionBut the settlers said one to another: ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him. And then the inheritance will be ours.’
New American BibleBut those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
New Revised Standard VersionBut those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut the laborers said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English“But those laborers said within themselves, 'This is the heir; come, we will kill him and the inheritance will be ours.'” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut those vine-dressers said one to another, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.
Godbey New Testament Audio Bible
Context The Parable of the Wicked Tenants… 6Finally, having one beloved son, he sent him to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. 7But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8So they seized the son, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.…
Cross References Matthew 21:38But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.’
Luke 20:14But when the tenants saw the son, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
John 1:11He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
Hebrews 1:2But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.
Acts 4:27-28In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. / They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen.
John 3:19-20And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. / Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
Romans 8:7because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
John 15:18-25If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. / Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. ...
Acts 7:52Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—
1 Thessalonians 2:15who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men,
Genesis 37:18-20Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him. / “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to one another. / “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams!”
Psalm 2:1-3Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: / “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.”
Isaiah 5:1-7I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. ...
Jeremiah 12:7-10I have forsaken My house; I have abandoned My inheritance. I have given the beloved of My soul into the hands of her enemies. / My inheritance has become to Me like a lion in the forest. She has roared against Me; therefore I hate her. / Is not My inheritance to Me like a speckled bird of prey with other birds of prey circling against her? Go, gather all the beasts of the field; bring them to devour her. ...
Zechariah 12:10Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
Mark 12:12
And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way. Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Genesis 37:20
Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams. Jump to Previous Death Farmers Heir Husbandmen Inheritance Kill Let's Ours Our's Owner Property Tenants Themselves Vine-Dressers Vine-Growers WorkmenJump to Next Death Farmers Heir Husbandmen Inheritance Kill Let's Ours Our's Owner Property Tenants Themselves Vine-Dressers Vine-Growers WorkmenMark 12 1. Jesus tells the parable of the tenants13. He avoids the snare of the Pharisees and Herodians about paying tribute to Caesar;18. convicts the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection;28. resolves the scribe, who questioned of the first commandment;35. refutes the opinion that the scribes held of the Christ;38. bidding the people to beware of their ambition and hypocrisy;41. and commends the poor widow for her two mites, above all.But the tenants said to one anotherIn the parable of the tenants, Jesus is addressing the religious leaders of Israel. The tenants represent these leaders who were entrusted with the care of God's people. The phrase indicates a premeditated conspiracy among the tenants, reflecting the collective rejection of God's messengers throughout Israel's history. This mirrors the historical pattern of Israel's leaders rejecting prophets sent by God, as seen in 2 Chronicles 36:15-16. ‘This is the heir.
The heir represents Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, the heir held a position of authority and was the rightful successor to the father's estate. This acknowledgment by the tenants signifies their awareness of Jesus' divine authority and messianic identity, yet they choose to reject Him. This parallels the recognition of Jesus' identity by demons in Mark 1:24, who knew Him as the Holy One of God. Come, let us kill him,
This phrase foreshadows the plot to kill Jesus, which the religious leaders would eventually carry out. It reflects the ultimate rejection and hostility towards Jesus, fulfilling the prophecy of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53:3-7. The deliberate decision to kill the heir highlights the depth of their rebellion against God, similar to the actions of Cain against Abel in Genesis 4:8. and the inheritance will be ours.’
The tenants' desire to seize the inheritance reveals their greed and misunderstanding of God's kingdom. They mistakenly believe that by eliminating the heir, they can claim ownership of what belongs to God. This reflects the religious leaders' desire to maintain control and power over the people, as seen in John 11:48, where they fear losing their place and nation. Theologically, it underscores the futility of human attempts to thwart God's sovereign plan, as ultimately, the kingdom belongs to Christ, the true heir, as affirmed in Hebrews 1:2. Persons / Places / Events 1. The TenantsThese are the individuals in the parable who are responsible for caring for the vineyard. They represent the religious leaders of Israel who have been entrusted with the spiritual care of God's people but have failed in their duties. 2. The HeirThis refers to the son of the vineyard owner, symbolizing Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is sent to the people of Israel. 3. The VineyardA metaphor for Israel, God's chosen people, whom He has cultivated and cared for throughout history. 4. The Vineyard OwnerRepresents God the Father, who has established His covenant with Israel and sent His prophets and ultimately His Son to them. 5. The Event of the KillingThis foreshadows the crucifixion of Jesus, where the religious leaders plot to kill Him, believing they can maintain their power and control. Teaching Points Rejection of AuthorityThe tenants' actions reflect a rejection of God's authority. We must examine our own lives for areas where we resist God's rightful rule. Consequences of SinThe parable warns of the severe consequences of rejecting God's messengers and ultimately His Son. It is a call to repentance and acceptance of Christ. God's Patience and JusticeThe vineyard owner’s repeated attempts to reach the tenants show God's patience, but the eventual judgment highlights His justice. We should not take God's patience for granted. Christ as the HeirRecognizing Jesus as the rightful heir means acknowledging His lordship in every aspect of our lives. Stewardship and AccountabilityLike the tenants, we are stewards of what God has entrusted to us. We must be faithful and accountable in our responsibilities. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Mark 12:7?
2. How does Mark 12:7 illustrate human rejection of God's authority in our lives?
3. What parallels exist between Mark 12:7 and the rejection of Jesus today?
4. How does Mark 12:7 connect with Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah?
5. In what ways can we avoid rejecting God's "beloved son" in daily decisions?
6. How can Mark 12:7 inspire us to embrace God's will more fully?
7. Why did the tenants decide to kill the heir in Mark 12:7?
8. How does Mark 12:7 reflect human nature's rejection of divine authority?
9. What historical context influenced the parable in Mark 12:7?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 12?
11. What does being an heir mean in the Bible?
12. What does 'husbandman' mean in the Bible?
13. How does God's apparent forsaking of His inheritance (Jeremiah 12:7) fit with the Bible's broader claim of His unwavering protection?
14. How does Numbers 36:6-9 align with earlier accounts of inter-tribal marriages that appear unregulated or unrestricted?What Does Mark 12:7 Mean But the tenants said to one another• Jesus pictures the tenant farmers as Israel’s religious leaders entrusted with God’s vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7). • Their private conference reveals premeditated rebellion, echoing Psalm 2:1-3 where earthly rulers “conspire” against the Lord and His Anointed. • These leaders have already rejected the owner’s previous servants (Mark 12:2-5), just as earlier generations persecuted the prophets (2 Chronicles 36:15-16; Acts 7:52). • The phrase “to one another” underscores collective guilt; they act in agreement, not ignorance (Luke 22:2).
This is the heir• They recognize the son’s unique identity. The religious elite knew Jesus’ messianic claims (John 5:18; 10:30-33). • Acknowledging Him as “heir” recalls Psalm 2:7-8, where the Son is promised the nations as inheritance. • Their response shows that unbelief is not always due to lack of information; it can arise from willful hardness (Romans 1:18-21).
Come, let us kill him• The invitation “come” invites shared complicity, mirroring Genesis 37:20 where Joseph’s brothers plotted similar violence. • This foreshadows the Sanhedrin’s resolve to destroy Jesus (Mark 14:1; John 11:53). • God’s sovereignty remains intact; while men intend evil, God weaves redemption through the Son’s death (Acts 2:23).
and the inheritance will be ours• The leaders crave control of God’s vineyard—authority over worship, people, and prestige (Matthew 23:5-7). • Their logic is twisted: eliminating the rightful heir cannot secure legitimate ownership (James 3:16). • Jesus later warns that the vineyard will be given to others—believing Jews and Gentiles forming His church (Mark 12:9; Romans 11:17-20).
summaryMark 12:7 exposes the calculated rejection of God’s Son by those entrusted with His people. Recognizing Jesus yet refusing Him, they scheme to secure power rather than submit. Their plot fulfills Scripture, revealing humanity’s rebellion and God’s redemptive plan: the rejected Heir becomes the cornerstone for all who believe (Mark 12:10; 1 Peter 2:6-7).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Butδὲ (de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.[the]Ἐκεῖνοι (Ekeinoi)Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1565: That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.tenantsγεωργοὶ (geōrgoi)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1092: From ge and the base of ergon; a land-worker, i.e. Farmer.saidεἶπαν (eipan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.toπρὸς (pros)Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.one another,ἑαυτοὺς (heautous)Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself. ‘ThisΟὗτός (Houtos)Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. isἐστιν (estin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.theὁ (ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.heir;κληρονόμος (klēronomos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2818: From kleros and the base of nomos (reflexively) getting by apportionment); a sharer by lot, i.e. Inheritor; by implication, a possessor.come,δεῦτε (deute)Verb - Imperative - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1205: Come hither, come, hither, an exclamatory word. From deuro and an imperative form of eimi; come hither!let us killἀποκτείνωμεν (apokteinōmen)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 615: To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy.him,αὐτόν (auton)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.andκαὶ (kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. theἡ (hē)Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.inheritanceκληρονομία (klēronomia)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2817: From kleronomos; heirship, i.e. a patrimony or a possession.will beἔσται (estai)Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.ours.’ἡμῶν (hēmōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.
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NT Gospels: Mark 12:7 But those farmers said among themselves 'This (Mar Mk Mr) |
