Mark 12:2 At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard.

◄ Mark 12:2 ►

New International Version
At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard.

New Living Translation
At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop.

English Standard Version
When the season came, he sent a servant to the tenants to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard.

Berean Standard Bible
At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard.

Berean Literal Bible
And he sent a servant to the farmers at the due time, that he might receive from the farmers from the fruit of the vineyard.

King James Bible
And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.

New King James Version
Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers.

New American Standard Bible
And at the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, in order to receive his share of the produce of the vineyard from the vine-growers.

NASB 1995
“At the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, in order to receive some of the produce of the vineyard from the vine-growers.

NASB 1977
“And at the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, in order to receive some of the produce of the vineyard from the vine-growers.

Legacy Standard Bible
And at the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, in order to receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vine-growers.

Amplified Bible
When the harvest season came he sent a servant to the tenants, in order to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard.

Christian Standard Bible
At harvest time he sent a servant to the farmers to collect some of the fruit of the vineyard from them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
At harvest time he sent a slave to the farmers to collect some of the fruit of the vineyard from the farmers.

American Standard Version
And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruits of the vineyard.

Contemporary English Version
When it was harvest time, he sent a servant to get his share of the grapes.

English Revised Version
And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruits of the vineyard.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"At the right time he sent a servant to the workers to collect from them a share of the grapes from the vineyard.

Good News Translation
When the time came to gather the grapes, he sent a slave to the tenants to receive from them his share of the harvest.

International Standard Version
At the right time, he sent a servant to the farmers to collect from them a share of the produce from the vineyard.

Majority Standard Bible
At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard.

NET Bible
At harvest time he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his portion of the crop.

New Heart English Bible
When it was time, he sent a servant to the farmer to get from the farmer his share of the fruit of the vineyard.

Webster's Bible Translation
And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.

Weymouth New Testament
At vintage-time he sent one of his servants to receive from the vine-dressers a share of the grapes.

World English Bible
When it was time, he sent a servant to the farmer to get from the farmer his share of the fruit of the vineyard.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and he sent to the farmers at the due time a servant, that from the farmers he may receive from the fruit of the vineyard,

Berean Literal Bible
And he sent a servant to the farmers at the due time, that he might receive from the farmers from the fruit of the vineyard.

Young's Literal Translation
and he sent unto the husbandmen at the due time a servant, that from the husbandmen he may receive from the fruit of the vineyard,

Smith's Literal Translation
And he sent a servant to the husbandmen in time, that he might receive of the husbandmen from the fruit of the vineyard.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant to receive of the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And in time, he sent a servant to the farmers, in order to receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the farmers.

New American Bible
At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants to obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard.

New Revised Standard Version
When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce of the vineyard.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And in due season he sent his servant to the laborers, to receive some of the fruits of the vineyard.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And he sent his servant to the workers in time to receive the fruits of the vineyard.”

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
And at the proper time, he sent a servant to the vine-dressers, that he might receive from the vine-dressers of the fruit of the vineyard.

Godbey New Testament
And he sent a servant to the husbandmen in the season, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard:

Haweis New Testament
And in the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.

Mace New Testament
at the time of vintage he sent his servant to the vine-dressers to receive the profits of his vineyard.

Weymouth New Testament
At vintage-time he sent one of his servants to receive from the vine-dressers a share of the grapes.

Worrell New Testament
And, at the season, he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruits of the vineyard.

Worsley New Testament
And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that he might receive from them of the fruit of the vineyard:

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
1Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a wine vat, and built a watchtower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. 2 At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. 3But they seized the servant, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Matthew 21:34
When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit.

Luke 20:10
At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed.

Isaiah 5:1-7
I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. ...

Jeremiah 7:25-26
From the day your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent you all My servants the prophets again and again. / Yet they would not listen to Me or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and did more evil than their fathers.

Jeremiah 25:4
And the LORD has sent all His servants the prophets to you again and again, but you have not listened or inclined your ear to hear.

2 Chronicles 36:15-16
Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. / But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.

Nehemiah 9:26
But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies.

Hosea 6:5
Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgments go forth like lightning.

Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.

Zechariah 1:4-6
Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Turn now from your evil ways and deeds.’ But they did not listen or pay attention to Me, declares the LORD. / Where are your fathers now? And the prophets, do they live forever? / But did not My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, overtake your fathers? They repented and said, ‘Just as the LORD of Hosts purposed to do to us according to our ways and deeds, so He has done to us.’”

Matthew 23:34-37
Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town. / And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. / Truly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation. ...

Acts 7:52
Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—

Hebrews 11:36-38
Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. / They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated. / The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground.

1 Thessalonians 2:15
who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men,

Romans 11:3
“Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well”?

Treasury of Scripture

And at the season he sent to the farmers a servant, that he might receive from the farmers of the fruit of the vineyard.

at.

Psalm 1:3
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Matthew 21:34
And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.

Luke 20:10
And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.

a servant.

Judges 6:8-10
That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; …

2 Kings 17:13
Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.

2 Chronicles 36:15
And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:

Jump to Previous

Bondman Collect Due Farmer Fruit Fruits Garden Grapes Harvest Husbandmen Order Produce Receive Season Servant Servants Share Slave Tenants Time Vine-Dressers Vine-Growers Vineyard Vintage-Time Workmen

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Mark 12

1. Jesus tells the parable of the tenants
13. He avoids the snare of the Pharisees and Herodians about paying tribute to Caesar;
18. convicts the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection;
28. resolves the scribe, who questioned of the first commandment;
35. refutes the opinion that the scribes held of the Christ;
38. bidding the people to beware of their ambition and hypocrisy;
41. and commends the poor widow for her two mites, above all.

Berean Study Bible

At harvest time
This phrase signifies a period of expectation and fulfillment. In the agricultural context of ancient Israel, the harvest was a time of gathering the fruits of one's labor. Spiritually, it represents a time when God expects to see the fruits of righteousness in His people. The Greek word for "harvest" (θερισμός, therismos) implies a culmination of growth and effort, symbolizing the divine expectation of spiritual maturity and productivity in the lives of believers.

he sent a servant
The act of sending a servant reflects the authority and ownership of the vineyard owner. In the parable, the servant represents the prophets sent by God to Israel. The Greek word for "servant" (δοῦλος, doulos) often denotes one who is under the authority of another, emphasizing the role of prophets as messengers of God, tasked with calling His people to faithfulness and accountability.

to the tenants
The tenants are those entrusted with the care of the vineyard, symbolizing the religious leaders of Israel. Historically, tenants were expected to manage the land and produce fruit for the owner. The Greek term for "tenants" (γεωργοί, geōrgoi) can also mean "farmers" or "husbandmen," highlighting their responsibility to cultivate and yield a return. This reflects the spiritual duty of leaders to nurture and guide God's people.

to collect his share
This phrase indicates the rightful expectation of the owner to receive the fruits of the vineyard. The Greek word for "collect" (λαμβάνω, lambanō) suggests an act of receiving what is due. Spiritually, it underscores God's rightful claim to the fruits of righteousness and faithfulness from His people, as He is the ultimate owner and sustainer of all creation.

of the fruit of the vineyard
The "fruit" symbolizes the results of spiritual labor and faithfulness. In the biblical context, fruit often represents the visible evidence of one's relationship with God, such as good works, obedience, and spiritual growth. The Greek word for "fruit" (καρπός, karpos) conveys the idea of productivity and results. The "vineyard" (ἀμπελῶν, ampelōn) is a metaphor for Israel, God's chosen people, whom He cultivated to bear spiritual fruit. This imagery calls believers to reflect on their own lives and the spiritual fruit they are producing for God's glory.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2) A servant.--The variations in the reports are, as has been said, few and slight, but it may as well be noted that St. Mark speaks of "one servant" having been sent, and then another, and another, and then many others, while St. Matthew divides them simply into two great groups. St. Mark, characteristically, seizes on the most vivid presentation of the facts.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 2-5. - And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruits of the vineyard. St. Matthew (Matthew 21:34) says he sent "his servants." St. Mark mentions them in detail. These servants were the prophets, as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others, whom the Jews persecuted and slew in different ways, as the reprovers of their vices. But the mercy of God was long-suffering, and still triumphed over their wickedness. In his account of this parable St. Mark is very minute. The first servant that was sent received no fruit, and was beaten. The second received much worse usage. According to the Authorized Version the words are, At him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled (κἀκεῖνον λιθοβολήσαντες ἐκεφαλαίωσαν καὶ ἀπέστειλαν ἠτιμωμένον). The word λιθοβολήσαντες is, however, not to be found in the best authorities; and the right reading of the next word is apparently ἐκεφαλίωσαν a very unusual word; but the context makes it plain that it expresses some injury done to the head. The other form of the word is usual enough; but it ordinarily signifies "a summing up," "a gathering up into a head." And handled shamefully ἠτιμωμένον); literally, dishonored. The third messenger they killed outright. The words run. And him they killed; and many others; beating some, and killing some. The construction here is incomplete, although the meaning is plain. The complete sentence would be, "And him they killed; and they did violence to many others, beating some and killing some."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

At harvest time,
καιρῷ (kairō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2540: Fitting season, season, opportunity, occasion, time. Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. Set or proper time.

he sent
ἀπέστειλεν (apesteilen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 649: From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively.

a servant
δοῦλον (doulon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1401: (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

tenants
γεωργοὺς (geōrgous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1092: From ge and the base of ergon; a land-worker, i.e. Farmer.

to
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

collect
λάβῃ (labē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

[his share] of
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

fruit
καρπῶν (karpōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 2590: Probably from the base of harpazo; fruit, literally or figuratively.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

vineyard.
ἀμπελῶνος (ampelōnos)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 290: A vineyard. From ampelos; a vineyard.

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NT Gospels: Mark 12:2 When it was time he sent (Mar Mk Mr)