Note 1 at Lk. 20:9: Only Matthew records that this parable is the second parable given by Jesus as a rebuke to the chief priests and the Pharisees. The first parable, that of the two sons asked to work in their father's vineyard (see note 1 at Mt. 21:28, above), was teaching the same lesson and therefore aids us in the interpretation of this parable.

The man in this parable who was the lord of the vineyard represents God the Father. The men who were the husbandmen were the religious leaders of the Jews, and the vineyard is the kingdom of God. God chose the nation of Israel as His kingdom on earth during the Old Testament rule until the kingdom of God could be established in the hearts of men (Lk. 17:21). The chief priests, and other religious leaders, were given the responsibility of administrating His kingdom here on earth. God expected to reap love, obedience, and service as a result of His great kindness bestowed upon Israel. Instead, His own people rejected Him.

The Lord sent prophets and other holy men to the nation of Israel to turn them back unto Himself so that they would give Him the glory that was rightfully due Him, but they responded by beating some and killing some of His servants. Last of all, God sent His beloved son (Lk. 20:13) saying, "They will reverence my son" (Mk. 12:6). However, the nation as a whole, led by the chief priests and Pharisees, rejected Jesus by killing Him.

Therefore, Jesus begins to prophesy that God the Father will come and destroy these religious leaders, take the kingdom from the nation of Israel, and give it to His holy nation, the church (1 Pet. 2:9), which will be made up of Jews and Gentiles from all nations of the world. These Jewish leaders knew that Jesus had spoken this parable against them (Mt. 21:45; Mk. 12:12; Lk. 20:19) and they responded by saying, "God forbid" (Lk. 20:16).

Jesus then quotes Psalm 118:22 and applies it to Himself (Mt. 21:42; Mk. 12:10; Lk. 20:17). He is saying, "I am the stone that David prophesied you would reject, but my Father will make me the chief cornerstone of His new kingdom, the church" (1 Pet. 2:6-10). This infuriated the chief priests and Pharisees but they feared the multitude (see note 2 at Mt. 21:26, p. 369) and therefore, "left him, and went their way" (Mk. 12:12).