What does Luke 20:14 mean?
In this parable, the tenants have taken care of the owner's vineyard since he planted it. That might have gone on for five years (Leviticus 19:23–25). They have patiently tended the vines to maturity, waiting for the first grape harvest. Just as the grapes are ready, a man shows up, claiming to work for the owner. He says he's there to collect some of the harvest to take back to the owner. The tenants are angry. Perhaps they think the owner has been gone too long. Or, that they've put so much work into the vineyard that they have earned this harvest. They beat up the servant and force him out empty-handed (Luke 20:9–11).Another servant shows up. They do the same to him. Then another, and they do the same. Now the owner's son has come. This presents an opportunity for the hired laborers. The owner is apparently too busy to come himself, but if they get rid of the son, they can keep the vineyard (Luke 20:12–13).
That attitude simplifies the wrong-headed thinking of Jerusalem's religious authorities. God established His nation and chose leaders to ensure the people worshiped Him alone. Throughout the years, God sent prophets to keep the leaders on track. Often, the leaders saw the prophets as a threat to their authority, so they beat and killed them.
In the moment Luke is recording, God's Son is right there, on the Temple Mount. Like the tenants, the Jewish leadership is jealous of Jesus. He is drawing the people away from them. But if they kill Him, maybe things will go back to normal—or so they think—and they can continue receiving the honor and the money of the people.
In the parable of the wicked tenants (Luke 20:9–18), Jesus explains that that's not how the story ends. God will not ignore these corrupted leaders; He will destroy them. Then He will find other men to lead His people. Despite a warning that could not be clearer, the leaders continue to work out how they can destroy Jesus (Luke 20:15–20).
