The Widow's Offering
So they seized the son, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. Mark 12:8 · Berean Standard Bible
They seized the son, killed him, and threw his body out of the vineyard — the ultimate act of rebellion against the owner.
Jesus was describing what was about to happen to Him. He would be arrested, killed, and crucified outside the walls of Jerusalem.
Jesus tells the devastating conclusion of the son's fate.
It's chilling to hear Jesus calmly narrate His own approaching death. He walked into Jerusalem knowing exactly what waited for Him, and He went anyway.
The sequence — seizing, killing, and casting out of the vineyard — prophetically mirrors Jesus' arrest, crucifixion, and burial outside Jerusalem's walls.
Being thrown 'out of the vineyard' signifies ultimate dishonor and exclusion, paralleling Jesus' crucifixion outside the city gate (Hebrews 13:12).
Jesus narrates the murder of the vineyard owner's son.
The parable reaches its tragic nadir as the son is killed and discarded, a prophetic preview of Jesus' own passion that His audience does not yet fully grasp.
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.
9What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.
10Have you never read this Scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
Read all of Mark 12 — Trick questions from every direction, a scribe who almost gets it, and a poor widow who gives everything — two small coins that outweigh them all.
This page covers one. BibleKey does all 31,102 — tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and keep reading without leaving the chapter.
Not just the famous ones. BibleKey is free on iPhone and iPad.
Download on the App StoreFree on iPhone & iPad