Jesus uniquely combines vineyard imagery from Isaiah 5 with Psalm 118's rejected cornerstone, creating the only Gospel parable where his death directly fulfills Hebrew Scripture's judgment prophecies.
Mark 12
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
1He 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.
2When it was time, he sent a servant to the farmer to get from the farmer his share of the fruit of the vineyard.
3They took him, beat him, and sent him away empty.
4Again, he sent another servant to them; and they threw stones at him, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated.
5Again he sent another, and they killed him, and many others, beating some, and killing some.
6Therefore still having one, his beloved son, he sent him last to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’
7But those farmers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
8They took him, killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
9What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers, and will give the vineyard to others.
10Haven’t you even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of the corner.
11This was from the Lord. It is marvelous in our eyes’?”
12They tried to seize him, but they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spoke the parable against them. They left him and went away.
The Question About Taxes
13They sent some of the Pharisees and the Herodians to him, that they might trap him with words.
14When they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?
15Shall we give, or shall we not give?” But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test me? Bring me a denarius, that I may see it.”
16They brought it. He said to them, “Whose is this image and inscription?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.”
17Jesus answered them, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” They marveled greatly at him.
The Question About the Resurrection
18Some Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection, came to him. They asked him, saying,
19“Teacher, Moses wrote to us, ‘If a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife behind him, and leaves no children, that his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.’
20There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring.
21The second took her, and died, leaving no children behind him. The third likewise;
22and the seven took her and left no children. Last of all the woman also died.
23In the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be of them? For the seven had her as a wife.”
24Jesus answered them, “Isn’t this because you are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God?
25For when they will rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
26But about the dead, that they are raised, haven’t you read in the book of Moses about the Bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?
27He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are therefore badly mistaken.”
The Great Commandment
28One of the scribes came and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?”
29Jesus answered, “The greatest is: ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
30You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.
31The second is like this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
32The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he;
33and to love him with all the heart, with all the understanding, all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.” No one dared ask him any question after that.
The Question About David's Son
35Jesus responded, as he taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?
36For David himself said in the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.”’
37Therefore David himself calls him Lord, so how can he be his son?” The common people heard him gladly.
The Warning Against the Scribes
38In his teaching he said to them, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and to get greetings in the marketplaces,
39and to get the best seats in the synagogues and the best places at feasts,
40those who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
The Widow's Offering
41Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much.
42A poor widow came and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin.
43He called his disciples to himself and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury,
44for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.”
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Theme
Mark 12 presents a series of confrontations between Jesus and religious leaders in Jerusalem, beginning with the parable of the wicked tenants that prophetically condemns Israel's rejection of God's messengers and His Son. Through skillful responses to trap questions about taxes, resurrection, and the greatest commandment, Jesus demonstrates divine wisdom while exposing his opponents' motives. The chapter concludes with Jesus's own question about the Messiah's identity and his observations about religious hypocrisy versus genuine devotion, as illustrated by the widow's sacrificial offering.
Context
Following Jesus's triumphal entry and temple cleansing in chapter 11, this chapter intensifies the conflict with religious authorities that will lead to his crucifixion in the passion narrative.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-12 The Parable of the Wicked Tenants Jesus tells a parable condemning Israel's leaders for rejecting God's prophets and His Son, leading to their attempt to arrest him.
- 13-17 The Question About Taxes to Caesar Pharisees and Herodians attempt to trap Jesus with a question about Roman taxation, but he responds with wisdom about dual obligations.
- 18-27 The Sadducees and the Resurrection Sadducees challenge Jesus about resurrection with a hypothetical scenario, and he corrects their misunderstanding of Scripture and God's power.
- 28-34 The Greatest Commandment A scribe asks about the most important commandment, leading to Jesus's teaching on love for God and neighbor.
- 35-37 Jesus Questions About David's Son Jesus poses his own question about the Messiah's relationship to David, challenging conventional understanding.
- 38-40 Warning Against the Scribes Jesus warns the crowd about the scribes' pride and hypocrisy while they exploit the vulnerable.
- 41-44 The Widow's Offering Jesus observes a poor widow's sacrificial giving and contrasts it with the wealthy's contributions.
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
12:1–12:12 narrative parable-telling warning
Jesus tells the parable of wicked tenants who kill the vineyard owner's son, prophesying his own death and God's judgment on Israel's leaders.
person_contrast
Jesus uniquely combines vineyard imagery from Isaiah 5 with Psalm 118's rejected cornerstone, creating the only Gospel parable where his death directly fulfills Hebrew Scripture's judgment prophecies.
The Question About Taxes
12:13–12:17 gospel dialogue contemplative
Pharisees and Herodians attempt to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar, but Jesus wisely responds that one should give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.
person_contrast
Jesus's request for a denarius—a coin he doesn't possess—subtly exposes his questioners' complicity in the Roman economic system they're asking him to condemn.
The Question About the Resurrection
12:18–12:27 gospel dialogue solemn
Sadducees question Jesus about resurrection using a hypothetical scenario of seven brothers, and Jesus responds by affirming resurrection and explaining that the resurrected will be like angels in heaven.
person_contrast
Jesus's declaration that the resurrected "are like angels in heaven" uniquely combines his typical authority with eternal-life themes, contrasting his usual judgment-focused teachings.
The Great Commandment
12:28–12:34 gospel dialogue contemplative
A scribe asks Jesus about the greatest commandment, and Jesus responds with the commands to love God completely and love one's neighbor as oneself, which the scribe affirms as more important than sacrifices.
quotation_chain
Jesus uniquely combines Deuteronomy 6:4-5 with Leviticus 19:18, creating the only Gospel passage where Israel's foundational Shema directly precedes the neighbor-love command.
The Question About David's Son
12:35–12:37 gospel instruction contemplative
Jesus questions how the scribes can say the Christ is David's son when David himself calls him Lord in the Psalms, challenging conventional understanding of the Messiah's identity.
person_contrast
Jesus transforms from defendant to prosecutor, using David's own words from Psalm 110 to expose the scribes' inadequate messianic theology before the very crowd that heard their accusations.
The Warning Against the Scribes
12:38–12:40 gospel warning
Jesus warns against the scribes who seek honor and recognition while exploiting widows, declaring they will receive greater condemnation for their hypocrisy.
person_contrast
Jesus condemns scribes for "devouring widows' houses" using the rare Greek verb "katesthiō," which appears only here and in Galatians 5:15's warning about mutual destruction.
The Widow's Offering
12:41–12:44 narrative narration contemplative
Jesus observes a poor widow giving two small coins to the temple treasury and teaches his disciples that her sacrificial gift from poverty is greater than the large gifts of the wealthy given from abundance.
person_contrast
Jesus's rare focus on financial stewardship appears only here and in the temple cleansing, linking sacrificial giving with authentic worship versus religious corruption.
Insights
Jesus's request for a denarius—a coin he doesn't possess—subtly exposes his questioners' complicity in the Roman economic system they're asking him to condemn.
Jesus's declaration that the resurrected "are like angels in heaven" uniquely combines his typical authority with eternal-life themes, contrasting his usual judgment-focused teachings.
Jesus uniquely combines Deuteronomy 6:4-5 with Leviticus 19:18, creating the only Gospel passage where Israel's foundational Shema directly precedes the neighbor-love command.
Jesus transforms from defendant to prosecutor, using David's own words from Psalm 110 to expose the scribes' inadequate messianic theology before the very crowd that heard their accusations.
Jesus condemns scribes for "devouring widows' houses" using the rare Greek verb "katesthiō," which appears only here and in Galatians 5:15's warning about mutual destruction.
Jesus's rare focus on financial stewardship appears only here and in the temple cleansing, linking sacrificial giving with authentic worship versus religious corruption.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Mark 12:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 21:33 Lexical
“Hear another parable. There was a man who was a master of a household who planted a vineyard, set a hedge about it, dug…
Luke 20:9 Lexical
He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and rented it out to some farmers, and went into ano…
Matthew 21:41 Lexical
They told him, “He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers who will…
Luke 13:6 Lexical
He spoke this parable. “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found…
Luke 14:28 Lexical
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and count the cost, to see if he has enough to compl…
Mark 12:2 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 20:10 Lexical
At the proper season, he sent a servant to the farmers to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the farmer…
Matthew 21:34 Lexical
When the season for the fruit came near, he sent his servants to the farmers to receive his fruit.
Matthew 21:41 Lexical
They told him, “He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers who will…
Matthew 21:35 Lexical
The farmers took his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned another.
Hebrews 11:11 Lexical
By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted hi…
Mark 12:3 2 references
Mark 12:4 2 references
Mark 12:5 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 21:35 Lexical
The farmers took his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned another.
John 7:12 Lexical
There was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others said, “Not so, but h…
Acts 19:32 Lexical
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was in confusion. Most of them didn’t know why they h…
John 20:30 Lexical
Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book;
Mark 12:6 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 20:13 Lexical
The lord of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. It may be that seeing him, they will respec…
Matthew 21:37 Lexical
But afterward he sent to them his son, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’
Matthew 17:5 Lexical
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “T…
Mark 12:7 2 references
Mark 12:8 2 references
Mark 12:9 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 20:16 Lexical
He will come and destroy these farmers, and will give the vineyard to others.” When they heard that, they said, “May tha…
Matthew 21:41 Lexical
They told him, “He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers who will…
Matthew 21:33 Lexical
“Hear another parable. There was a man who was a master of a household who planted a vineyard, set a hedge about it, dug…
Mark 12:10 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 21:42 Lexical
Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of t…
Luke 20:17 Lexical
But he looked at them and said, “Then what is this that is written, ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the…
1 Peter 2:7 Lexical
For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected ha…
Acts 4:11 Lexical
He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’
Mark 12:11 1 reference
Mark 12:12 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 21:46 Lexical
When they sought to seize him, they feared the multitudes, because they considered him to be a prophet.
Luke 20:19 Lexical
The chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him that very hour, but they feared the people—for they knew he…
Matthew 13:36 Lexical
Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the para…
Mark 11:18 Lexical
The chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him. For they feared him, because all the…
Mark 12:13 2 references
Mark 12:14 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 22:16 Lexical
They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the…
Luke 20:21 Lexical
They asked him, “Teacher, we know that you say and teach what is right, and aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach th…
Matthew 22:17 Lexical
Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
Luke 20:22 Lexical
Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
John 9:21 Lexical
but how he now sees, we don’t know; or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. He is of age. Ask him. He will speak for hims…
Mark 12:16 2 references
Mark 12:18 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 23:8 Lexical
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of these.
Matthew 22:23 Lexical
On that day Sadducees (those who say that there is no resurrection) came to him. They asked him,
Luke 20:27 Lexical
Some of the Sadducees came to him, those who deny that there is a resurrection.
Mark 12:19 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 20:28 Lexical
They asked him, “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies having a wife, and he is childless, his brother…
Matthew 22:24 Lexical
saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offsprin…
Matthew 22:25 Lexical
Now there were with us seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother.
Luke 20:29 Lexical
There were therefore seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died childless.
Luke 20:31 Lexical
The third took her, and likewise the seven all left no children, and died.
Mark 12:20 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 22:25 Lexical
Now there were with us seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother.
Luke 20:29 Lexical
There were therefore seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died childless.
Luke 20:28 Lexical
They asked him, “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies having a wife, and he is childless, his brother…
Matthew 22:24 Lexical
saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offsprin…
Luke 20:31 Lexical
The third took her, and likewise the seven all left no children, and died.
Mark 12:21 2 references
Mark 12:22 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 22:25 Lexical
Now there were with us seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother.
Matthew 22:24 Lexical
saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offsprin…
Luke 20:28 Lexical
They asked him, “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies having a wife, and he is childless, his brother…
Luke 20:29 Lexical
There were therefore seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died childless.
Mark 12:23 2 references
Mark 12:24 1 reference
Mark 12:25 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 22:30 Lexical
For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like God’s angels in heaven.
Luke 20:35 Lexical
But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given…
Mark 9:9 Lexical
As they were coming down from the mountain, he commanded them that they should tell no one what things they had seen, un…
1 Thessalonians 4:16 Lexical
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with God’s trumpet. The…
Mark 12:26 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 20:37 Lexical
But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lord ‘The God of Abraham, the God of Isa…
Acts 7:32 Lexical
‘I am the God of your fathers: the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ Moses trembled and dared not…
Matthew 22:32 Lexical
‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living…
Acts 3:13 Lexical
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and…
Matthew 8:11 Lexical
I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingd…
Mark 12:27 1 reference
Mark 12:28 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 11:29 Lexical
Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Mark 9:11 Lexical
They asked him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
Matthew 17:10 Lexical
His disciples asked him, saying, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
Luke 20:39 Lexical
Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you speak well.”
Matthew 8:19 Lexical
A scribe came and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
Mark 12:29 1 reference
Mark 12:30 3 references
Lexicals 3
Matthew 22:37 Lexical
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
1 Peter 1:22 Lexical
Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, lo…
Luke 10:27 Lexical
He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with…
Mark 12:31 2 references
Mark 12:32 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 20:39 Lexical
Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you speak well.”
Matthew 8:19 Lexical
A scribe came and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
Luke 22:59 Lexical
After about one hour passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Truly this man also was with him, for he is a Galile…
Mark 12:33 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 10:27 Lexical
He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with…
Ephesians 5:2 Lexical
Walk in love, even as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-sm…
Matthew 22:37 Lexical
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
Mark 12:34 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 22:46 Lexical
No one was able to answer him a word, neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that day forward.
Luke 20:40 Lexical
They didn’t dare to ask him any more questions.
Luke 17:20 Lexical
Being asked by the Pharisees when God’s Kingdom would come, he answered them, “God’s Kingdom doesn’t come with observati…
Mark 14:61 Lexical
But he stayed quiet, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?…
Mark 14:60 Lexical
The high priest stood up in the middle, and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it which these testify against you…
Mark 12:35 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 21:15 Lexical
But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in the…
Luke 20:1 Lexical
On one of those days, as he was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the Good News, the priests and scribes c…
Luke 19:47 Lexical
He was teaching daily in the temple, but the chief priests, the scribes, and the leading men among the people sought to…
John 18:20 Lexical
Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always…
Luke 20:41 Lexical
He said to them, “Why do they say that the Christ is David’s son?
Mark 12:36 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 22:44 Lexical
‘The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet’?
Hebrews 1:13 Lexical
But which of the angels has he told at any time, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your…
Luke 20:43 Lexical
until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.”’
Acts 2:35 Lexical
until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’
Hebrews 10:13 Lexical
from that time waiting until his enemies are made the footstool of his feet.
Mark 12:37 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 6:20 Lexical
for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many t…
John 6:5 Lexical
Jesus therefore, lifting up his eyes and seeing that a great multitude was coming to him, said to Philip, “Where are we…
Matthew 21:9 Lexical
The multitudes who went in front of him, and those who followed, kept shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is…
Matthew 12:23 Lexical
All the multitudes were amazed, and said, “Can this be the son of David?”
Mark 6:2 Lexical
When the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, “Where did…
Mark 12:38 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 20:46 Lexical
“Beware of those scribes who like to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the s…
Luke 11:43 Lexical
Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces.
Matthew 23:7 Lexical
the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men.
Mark 12:39 3 references
Lexicals 3
Matthew 23:6 Lexical
and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
Luke 20:46 Lexical
“Beware of those scribes who like to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the s…
Luke 11:43 Lexical
Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces.
Mark 12:40 1 reference
Mark 12:41 1 reference
Mark 12:42 2 references
Mark 12:43 1 reference
Interlinear
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Lemma
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Theological Significance
Translation Notes
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Historical Context
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