Luke 20:13 – “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, the vineyard owner (representing God) makes the decision to send his beloved son as a last attempt to reach the rebellious tenants. After they rejected and mistreated multiple servants, the owner decides to send someone who should command their respect—his own son. The phrase “whom I love” shows the deep affection and value the owner places on his son, emphasizing that this is not a mere servant but someone of great importance and authority.
The vineyard owner’s hope, “perhaps they will respect him,” highlights God’s patience and mercy. Even after the repeated rejection of His messengers, God sends His Son, giving people one final opportunity to turn back to Him. However, as the parable reveals, the tenants will reject and kill the son, symbolizing Israel’s rejection of Jesus Christ.
Historical Context
The idea of God sending His beloved son would have been a powerful image to Jesus’ audience, particularly the religious leaders who were familiar with Old Testament themes. The phrase “my son, whom I love” echoes passages such as Isaiah 5:1-7, where Israel is described as God’s vineyard, and also points to Jesus’ baptism, where God declared, “You are my Son, whom I love” (Luke 3:22).
By this point in history, Israel had rejected many of the prophets God had sent to them. John the Baptist, the most recent prophet, had been rejected and executed. The religious leaders now faced the decision of how they would respond to Jesus, God’s ultimate and final messenger.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the profound love of God, who is willing to send His own Son to reach humanity. It reflects the sacrificial nature of God’s love and His desire for reconciliation, even when people have repeatedly rejected Him. God’s decision to send His Son shows that He is not quick to judge—He patiently provides opportunities for repentance.
However, this verse also underscores the gravity of rejecting Jesus. If people reject the Son, there is no other messenger left. Jesus is God’s final and ultimate revelation (Hebrews 1:1-2). Rejecting Him leads to separation from God and judgment.
Literary Analysis
The structure of the parable builds tension with each messenger the owner sends. The first and second servants are beaten and mistreated, and the third is wounded and thrown out. Now, the stakes are raised—the owner sends his son. This shift in the story marks the climax of the parable, foreshadowing the ultimate act of rejection: the killing of the son.
The phrase “my son, whom I love” is filled with emotional and theological weight. It points to the unique relationship between God the Father and God the Son and emphasizes the tragedy of what is about to happen. The owner’s hope that the tenants will respect his son highlights the contrast between God’s mercy and the tenants’ wickedness.
Biblical Cross-References
- Isaiah 5:1-7 – The parable of the vineyard, where God laments that Israel has failed to produce good fruit.
- Matthew 3:17 – At Jesus’ baptism, God declares, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
- John 3:16 – God’s love for the world is demonstrated in the giving of His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life.
- Hebrews 1:1-2 – In the past, God spoke through prophets, but in these last days, He has spoken through His Son.
- Matthew 21:37-39 – The parallel account of this parable, where the owner’s decision to send his son is met with violence.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of the value God places on His relationship with us. God didn’t withhold His best—He sent His Son, even though He knew the cost would be great. This shows the depth of God’s love and His desire for us to be reconciled to Him.
It also challenges us to reflect on how we respond to Jesus. The tenants in the parable rejected the son because they didn’t want to submit to the owner’s authority. Similarly, people today reject Jesus when they resist His lordship over their lives. This verse calls us to examine whether we are truly giving Jesus the honor and obedience He deserves.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse reveals the sacrificial love of God, who sends His beloved Son despite the ongoing rejection of His people. God’s love is patient, persistent, and self-giving. Instead of immediately bringing judgment after the tenants reject His servants, the owner gives them one final opportunity to repent by sending his son.
God’s love is not passive—it actively seeks to restore what has been broken. His willingness to send His Son into a world that would reject and kill Him shows the lengths to which God will go to save us. However, this love also comes with a warning: rejecting the Son leads to judgment, not because God is unloving, but because rejecting Jesus is rejecting the very source of salvation.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse directly points to Jesus Christ as the beloved Son sent by God. The phrase “my son, whom I love” reflects God’s affirmation of Jesus’ identity at His baptism and the transfiguration (Luke 3:22, Luke 9:35). In the context of the parable, the son represents Jesus being sent to call the people of Israel—and ultimately the whole world—to repentance and faith.
The tragic reality is that the tenants (representing the religious leaders) would reject and kill the son, just as the leaders of Israel would conspire to have Jesus crucified. But this rejection was part of God’s plan for salvation. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God provided a way for sinners to be forgiven and reconciled to Him (Romans 5:8-10).
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does the vineyard owner’s decision to send his beloved son reveal about God’s character?
- How do people today reject God’s authority in their lives, similar to the way the tenants rejected the son?
- Are there areas in your life where you struggle to fully submit to Jesus’ lordship?
- How does knowing that God sent His Son out of love impact the way you live and relate to Him?
- What can we learn from this parable about the seriousness of rejecting Jesus and the importance of embracing Him as our Savior?