The Lord’s Vineyard

JESUS’ Parable of the Vineyard is based upon a similar parable recorded in Isaiah 5:1-7, in which we are told that “the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel.” In this Old Testament version of the parable the Lord “looked for judgment, but behold oppression [margin, Heb. a scab]; for righteousness, but behold a cry.” (vs. 7) These few words of explanation by the prophet help materially to understand the meaning of Jesus’ parable on the same subject.

As Jesus related the parable there was a certain householder who planted a vineyard and hedged it about, digged a winepress in it, and built a tower. He let out this vineyard to husbandmen, and then went into a far country. When the time drew near for fruit, the householder sent his servants to the husbandmen to receive it. But the husbandmen beat the servants, and slew some of them. Later the householder sent his own son, but the husbandmen slew him also.

After relating the parable, Jesus asked his listeners what they thought the householder would do to those husbandmen when he returned, and they replied that he would miserably destroy them, and would let out his vineyard to other husbandmen. As we shall see, Jesus agreed with this, and in his explanation indicated that the application of both parables was to Israel, and especially to the Pharisees.

This vineyard, as explained by Isaiah, was the house of Israel. The fruit which the Lord looked for was justice and righteousness, but Israel, as a people, failed to produce this sort of fruit, although through the Law and its arrangements every provision was made to encourage the growth of righteousness.

The servants sent from time to time to those Pharisees and religious rulers in charge of the vineyard were usually persecuted, and sometimes put to death, just as Jesus indicates in the parable. These were the prophets. Finally Jehovah, the “Householder” of the parable, sent his own Son to look for the fruit of obedience and righteousness, and, as we know, the keepers of the vineyard had him killed also.

God’s purpose in the choice of Israel as his chosen people, his vineyard, in which fruits of righteousness were to be produced, is that they might be a people to become associated with the promised Messiah in the kingdom which he would come to earth to establish. If obedient they could have become a holy nation, a royal priesthood, a peculiar, or very special people.—Exod. 19:5,6

The final test upon the nation as a whole to qualify for this high position in the divine plan was the coming of Jesus as their King and Messiah. He came to his own, but his own received him not, although as individuals some did accept Jesus, and these were invited to sonship to be associated with Jesus in the heavenly phase of his kingdom.—John 1:11,12

To illustrate Israel’s rejection of the “Son,” the Messiah, whom the “Householder” of the parable sent to look for fruit in his vineyard, Jesus referred to a prophecy in Psalm 118:22,23 concerning the stone which the builders rejected. Evidently in this prophecy a pyramid-shaped building is visualized, with Jesus as the topstone. Naturally this “Stone” would not fit in any other place in this prophetic temple of the Lord. The religious rulers of Israel could see no place for him in the Lord’s arrangement, so they rejected him and put him to death.

But this was at great peril to themselves, for, continuing to use symbolic language, Jesus further explained, “Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever the stone shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” (vss. 42,43) The record states that when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables—and this one in particular, apparently “they perceived that he spake of them.” (vs. 45) They were right, and as symbolically prophesied by Jesus they were ground to powder later as rulers of the Lord’s people.

Jesus further explained that the kingdom would be taken “from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” As we have noted, it was the privilege of joint-rulership with Jesus in his kingdom that was given to Israel; but as a nation they did not bring forth the necessary fruit to qualify for this, so this particular kingdom opportunity was taken from them, and as Jesus foretold, given to a nation that would bring forth the proper fruitage.

The Apostle Peter identifies this nation for us. To the faithful followers of Jesus during the Gospel Age he wrote not only concerning the nation to which the kingdom would be given, but following the lessson in Jesus’ parable of the vineyard he refers also to the temple of the Lord, and to the topstone in that temple which was rejected. We quote:

“Ye also, as lively stones, are [margin, or, be ye. Eph. 2:20-22] built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up [spiritual, not in Sinaitic MS] sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious [margin, or, an honour]; but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar [margin, or, purchased] people; that ye should show forth the praises [margin, or, virtues] of him who hath called you out of darkness unto his marvelous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God.”—I Pet. 2:5-10

From this it is clear that the “nation” to which the kingdom was to be given when taken away from the nominal natural house of Israel is comprised of the followers of Jesus during the Gospel Age. To begin with, many of these were faithful individuals of the Jewish nation who accepted Jesus and became his faithful followers. But there were not enough of these to make up the number which the Lord had fore-ordained. Then the Gospel call went to the Gentiles so that throughout the age both Jews and Gentiles have had the glorious opportunity, upon the basis of faith in Jesus as their Redeemer, and consecration to do the Father’s will, to run for the prize of joint-heirship with the Messiah. To these Jesus said, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”—Luke 12:32

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