Bible Strands
Luke 20:13
‘What shall I do?’ asked the owner of the vineyard. ‘I will send my beloved son. Perhaps they will respect him.’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The owner of the vineyard speaks after the tenants have wounded and thrown out a third servant. He addresses his own situation, deciding to send his son as a final measure.
The words — The Greek εἶπεν (eipen) literally means "said," marking the owner's verbal shift from sending servants to sending his son. The phrase τὶ ποιήσω (ti poiēsō) translates to "what shall I do?" and frames his deliberation before acting.
The thread — The owner's plan to send his "beloved son" aligns with the divine declaration in Matthew 3:17 and the giving of the one and only Son in John 3:16. His hope that "perhaps they will respect him" mirrors the conditional appeal in Jeremiah 36:3 regarding turning from planned calamity.
Why it lands — The text records the owner's calculated gamble, moving from rejected servants to the final heir. It asks the reader to confront the reality of the son's arrival and the tenants' subsequent plot to kill him for the inheritance.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.
Cross-references
- Matthew 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”
- John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
- Jeremiah 36:3 Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about all the calamity I plan to bring upon them, each of them will turn from his wicked way. Then I will forgive their iniquity and their sin.”
- Jeremiah 36:7 Perhaps they will bring their petition before the LORD, and each one will turn from his wicked way; for great are the anger and fury that the LORD has pronounced against this people.”
- John 1:34 I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
- Isaiah 5:4 What more could have been done for My vineyard than I have done for it? Why, when I expected sweet grapes, did it bring forth sour fruit?
- Hosea 6:4 What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your loyalty is like a morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes.
- Hosea 11:8 How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred!
- Matthew 17:5 While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”
- Luke 9:35 And a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to Him!”