Mark 12 - Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The Parable of the Vineyard Owner

12 Then(A) He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard,(B) put a fence around it, dug out a pit for a winepress, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and went away. 2 At harvest time he sent(C) a slave(D) to the farmers to collect some of the fruit(E) of the vineyard from the farmers. 3 But they took him, beat(F) him, and sent him away empty-handed.(G) 4 Again he sent another slave to them, and they[a] hit him on the head and treated him shamefully.[b] 5 Then he sent another, and they killed that one. He also sent many others; they beat some and they killed some.

6 “He still had one to send, a beloved(H) son. Finally(I) he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

7 “But those tenant farmers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!’ 8 So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

9 “Therefore, what will the owner[c](J) of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers and give the vineyard to others. 10 Haven’t you read this Scripture:(K)

The(L) stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.[d](M)
11 This came from the Lord(N)
and is wonderful in our eyes?”[e]

12 Because they knew He had said this parable against them, they were looking for a way to arrest Him, but they were afraid of the crowd. So they left Him and went away.

God and Caesar

13 Then(O) they sent some of the Pharisees(P) and the Herodians(Q) to Him to trap Him by what He said.[f](R) 14 When they came, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know You are truthful and defer to no one, for You don’t show partiality[g](S) but teach truthfully the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes(T) to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay, or should we not pay?”

But knowing their hypocrisy,(U) He said to them, “Why are you testing(V) Me? Bring Me a denarius(W) to look at.” 16 So they brought one. “Whose image(X) and inscription(Y) is this?” He asked them.

“Caesar’s,” they said.

17 Then Jesus told them, “Give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”(Z) And they were amazed(AA) at Him.

The Sadducees and the Resurrection

18 Some(AB) Sadducees,(AC) who say there is no resurrection,(AD) came to Him and questioned Him: 19 “Teacher,(AE) Moses(AF) wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaves his wife behind, and leaves no child,(AG) his brother should take the wife(AH) and produce offspring for his brother.(AI)[h] 20 There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying, left no offspring. 21 The second also took her, and he died, leaving no offspring. And the third likewise. 22 So the seven[i] left no offspring. Last of all, the woman died too. 23 In the resurrection, when they rise,[j] whose wife will she be, since the seven had married her?”[k]

24 Jesus told them, “Are you not deceived because you don’t know the Scriptures(AJ) or the power(AK) of God?(AL) 25 For when they rise(AM) from the dead,(AN) they neither marry nor are given in marriage(AO) but are like angels(AP) in heaven. 26 Now concerning the dead being raised—haven’t you read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him: I(AQ) am the God of Abraham(AR) and the God of Isaac(AS) and the God of Jacob?(AT)[l] 27 He is not God of the dead but of the living. You are badly deceived.”

The Primary Commands

28 One(AU) of the scribes(AV) approached. When he heard them debating and saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked Him, “Which command is the most important of all?”[m]

29 “This is the most important,”[n] Jesus answered:

Listen, Israel! The Lord(AW) our God, the Lord(AX) is One.[o] 30 Love(AY) the Lord your God(AZ) with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind,(BA) and with all your strength.[p](BB)[q]

31 “The second is: Love your neighbor(BC) as yourself.(BD)[r] There is no other command(BE) greater than these.”

32 Then the scribe said to Him, “You are right, Teacher! You have correctly said that He is One, and there is no one(BF) else except Him.(BG) 33 And to love(BH) Him with all your heart, with all your understanding,[s] and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.”(BI)

34 When Jesus saw that he answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”(BJ) And no one dared(BK) to question Him any longer.

The Question about the Messiah

35 So(BL) Jesus asked this question as He taught in the temple complex,(BM) “How can the scribes(BN) say that the Messiah(BO) is the Son of David?(BP) 36 David(BQ) himself says by the Holy Spirit:(BR)

The Lord(BS) declared to my Lord,
‘Sit at My right hand(BT)
until I put Your enemies under Your feet.’(BU)[t]

37 David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; how then can the Messiah be his Son?” And the large crowd was listening to Him with delight.

Warning against the Scribes

38 He(BV) also said in His teaching, “Beware of the scribes, who want to go around in long robes,(BW) and who want greetings in the marketplaces,(BX) 39 the front seats(BY) in the synagogues,(BZ) and the places of honor(CA) at banquets.(CB) 40 They devour(CC) widows’(CD) houses and say long prayers(CE) just for show. These will receive harsher punishment.”

The Widow’s Gift

41 Sitting(CF) across from the temple treasury,(CG) He watched how the crowd dropped money into the treasury. Many rich(CH) people were putting in large sums. 42 And a poor(CI) widow came and dropped in two tiny coins worth very little.[u] 43 Summoning His disciples,(CJ) He said to them, “I assure you:(CK) This poor widow has put in more than all those giving to the temple treasury.(CL) 44 For they all gave out of their surplus,(CM) but she out of her poverty(CN) has put in everything she possessed(CO)—all she had to live on.”(CP)

Footnotes

  1. Mark 12:4 Other mss add threw stones and
  2. Mark 12:4 Other mss add and sent him off
  3. Mark 12:9 Or lord
  4. Mark 12:10 Lit the head of the corner
  5. Mark 12:11 Ps 118:22-23
  6. Mark 12:13 Lit trap Him in (a) word
  7. Mark 12:14 Lit don’t look on the face of men; that is, on the outward appearance
  8. Mark 12:19 Gn 38:8; Dt 25:5
  9. Mark 12:22 Other mss add had taken her and
  10. Mark 12:23 Other mss omit when they rise
  11. Mark 12:23 Lit the seven had her as a wife
  12. Mark 12:26 Ex 3:6,15-16
  13. Mark 12:28 Lit Which command is first of all?
  14. Mark 12:29 Other mss add of all the commands
  15. Mark 12:29 Or The Lord our God is one Lord.
  16. Mark 12:30 Other mss add This is the first commandment.
  17. Mark 12:30 Dt 6:4-5; Jos 22:5
  18. Mark 12:31 Lv 19:18
  19. Mark 12:33 Other mss add with all your soul
  20. Mark 12:36 Ps 110:1
  21. Mark 12:42 Lit dropped in two lepta, which is a quadrans; the lepton was the smallest and least valuable Gk coin in use. The quadrans, 1⁄64 of a daily wage, was the smallest Roman coin.

Cross references

  1. 12:1-12 : Mt 21:33-46; Lk 20:9-19
  2. 12:1 : Gn 9:20
  3. 12:2 : Mk 3:14
  4. 12:2 : Mt 10:24
  5. 12:2 : Mt 3:8; 7:16
  6. 12:3 : Lk 22:63
  7. 12:3 : Col 2:8
  8. 12:6 : Eph 1:6; Phm 1
  9. 12:6 : Heb 1:1-2
  10. 12:9 : Col 3:22
  11. 12:10 : Mt 26:54; 2Pt 1:20
  12. 12:10-11 : Ps 118:22-23
  13. 12:10 : Ac 4:11; 1Pt 2:7
  14. 12:11 : Col 4:1; Jd 5
  15. 12:13-17 : Mt 22:15-22; Lk 20:20-26
  16. 12:13 : Mk 7:3
  17. 12:13 : Mk 3:6
  18. 12:13 : Lk 11:54
  19. 12:14 : Dt 1:17
  20. 12:14 : Mt 17:25
  21. 12:15 : Mt 23:28; Lk 12:1; Gl 2:13; 1Tm 4:2; 1Pt 2:1
  22. 12:15 : Jms 1:13
  23. 12:15 : Mt 18:28
  24. 12:16 : Rv 13:14
  25. 12:16 : Mk 15:26; Lk 23:38
  26. 12:17 : Rm 13:7
  27. 12:17 : Rv 17:6
  28. 12:18-27 : Mt 22:23-33; Lk 20:27-40
  29. 12:18 : Ac 23:6
  30. 12:18 : Ac 1:22
  31. 12:19 : Mk 4:38; Eph 4:11
  32. 12:19 : Ps 77:20; Mt 8:4; Heb 3:2
  33. 12:19 : Lk 1:7
  34. 12:19 : Mt 1:6
  35. 12:19 : Gn 38:8; Dt 25:5-10
  36. 12:24 : Mt 26:54; 2Pt 1:20
  37. 12:24 : Lk 1:35; 6:19
  38. 12:24 : 2Co 13:4; Rv 11:17
  39. 12:25 : Lk 18:33
  40. 12:25 : Jn 5:25; 20:9
  41. 12:25 : 1Tm 5:14
  42. 12:25 : Mt 13:49; Ac 5:19; Rv 14:6
  43. 12:26 : Ex 3:6, 15-16
  44. 12:26 : Gl 3:6
  45. 12:26 : Jms 2:21
  46. 12:26 : Mt 1:2; Lk 1:33
  47. 12:28-34 : Mt 22:34-40
  48. 12:28 : Mt 2:4
  49. 12:29 : Col 4:1; Jd 5
  50. 12:29 : Dt 6:4
  51. 12:30 : Lk 6:35
  52. 12:30 : Dt 6:5; Lk 10:27
  53. 12:30 : 1Jn 5:20
  54. 12:30 : Dt 6:4-5; Jos 22:5
  55. 12:31 : Lk 10:29
  56. 12:31 : Lv 19:18; 1Jn 4:21
  57. 12:31 : Mk 7:8
  58. 12:32 : Rm 3:30
  59. 12:32 : Dt 4:35, 39; 6:4; Is 37:20; 43:10; 44:6; 45:21
  60. 12:33 : Lk 6:35
  61. 12:33 : 1Sm 15:22; Ps 51:16; Hs 6:6; Am 5:22; Mc 6:6-8
  62. 12:34 : Mk 1:15
  63. 12:34 : Lk 20:40
  64. 12:35-37 : Mt 22:41-46; Lk 20:41-44
  65. 12:35 : Ac 21:26
  66. 12:35 : Mt 2:4
  67. 12:35 : Mt 1:17; Eph 5:2
  68. 12:35 : 2Ch 1:1; Mt 1:1; Rm 1:3
  69. 12:36 : Lk 1:27
  70. 12:36 : Jn 1:33; Ac 19:21
  71. 12:36 : Lk 17:5
  72. 12:36 : Mt 20:21
  73. 12:36 : Ps 110:1
  74. 12:38-40 : Mt 23:1-36; Lk 20:45-47
  75. 12:38 : Rv 7:14
  76. 12:38 : Mk 6:56
  77. 12:39 : Lk 11:43
  78. 12:39 : Jms 2:2
  79. 12:39 : Lk 14:7-8
  80. 12:39 : Jn 13:2
  81. 12:40 : Gl 5:15
  82. 12:40 : Jms 1:27
  83. 12:40 : Mt 5:44; Ac 12:12
  84. 12:41-44 : Lk 21:1-4
  85. 12:41 : Jn 8:20
  86. 12:41 : Gn 24:35; Rv 2:9
  87. 12:42 : Mk 14:7
  88. 12:43 : Mt 9:10; Mk 10:10; Lk 6:1; Jn 6:3; Ac 6:1
  89. 12:43 : Ps 72:19; Rv 22:21
  90. 12:43 : Jn 8:20
  91. 12:44 : 1Co 15:58
  92. 12:44 : Php 4:11
  93. 12:44 : Lk 15:12
  94. 12:44 : 1Jn 3:17

You Might Also Like:

Mark 12 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

12 And he began to speak to them in similes: `A man planted a vineyard, and put a hedge around, and digged an under-winevat, and built a tower, and gave it out to husbandmen, and went abroad; 2 and he sent unto the husbandmen at the due time a servant, that from the husbandmen he may receive from th...
Read More

Mark 12 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

12 And Jesus began to speak to them in parables. A man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and delved a lake, and builded a tower [and built a tower], and hired it to earth-tillers, and went forth in pilgrimage. 2 And he sent to the earth-tillers in time a servant, to receive of the eart...
Read More

Mark 12 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

12 Jesus then began to speak to the disciples in stories. `A man planted a farm of vines for growing fruit called grapes. He put a fence of small trees around it. He dug a place to press the juice from the fruit. He built a high house from which men could watch over the farm. Then he let some men pa...
Read More

Mark 12 - World English Bible (WEB)

12 He began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the wine press, built a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country. 2 When it was time, he sent a servant to the farmer to get from the farmer his share of the fruit of the...
Read More

Mark 12 - The Voice (VOICE)

The religious leaders ask Jesus where His authority comes from. What gives Him the right to heal people on the Sabbath, teach about God, do miracles, and cast out demons? Who exactly does He think He is—and where does His authority come from? This question is a trap: if He claims His authority is fr...
Read More

Mark 12 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Taking the Kingdom by Force12 Yeshua began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the winepress, and built a tower. He leased it to some tenant farmers and went on a journey. 2 And at the season, he sent a servant to collect from the tenants...
Read More

Mark 12 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants12 And he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a pit for the wine press, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. 2 When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants,...
Read More

Mark 12 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants12 And he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a pit for the wine press, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. 2 When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants,...
Read More

Mark 12 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

12 And He began to speak to them in parables, “A certain man planted a vineyard, and surrounded it with a hedge, and dug a pit for the winepress, and built a tower on it, and leased it to farmers, and went into a strange country. 2 “And at the right time, he sent a servant to them, so that he might ...
Read More

Mark 12 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

The Parable of the Tenants12 Jesus began to speak to them with parables.‘Once upon a time,’ he began, ‘there was a man who planted a vineyard. He built a fence around it, dug out a wine-press, built a watchtower, and then let it out to tenant farmers. He himself went abroad. 2 When the time came he...
Read More

Mark 12 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants12 Then he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the wine press, and built a watchtower; then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. 2 When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants to...
Read More

Mark 12 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants12 Then he began to speak to them in parables. ‘A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the wine press, and built a watch-tower; then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. 2 When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants t...
Read More

Mark 12 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants12 Then he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the winepress, and built a watchtower; then he leased it to tenants and went away.(A)2 When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from ...
Read More

Mark 12 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

The vineyard is let out. Give to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar. Of the Sadducees and of the doctor of law. Hypocrites must be eschewed. The offering of the poor widow. 12 And he began to speak to them in similitudes: A certain man planted a vineyard, and compassed it about with a hedge, and ma...
Read More

Mark 12 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Parable of the Evil Farmers12 Then Jesus began teaching them with stories: “A man planted a vineyard. He built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country. 2 At the time of the gra...
Read More

Mark 12 - New Life Version (NLV)

The Picture-Story of the Grape-Field (A)12 Jesus began to teach them by using picture-stories, saying, “There was a man who planted grapes in a field. He put a fence around it and made a place for making wine. He built a tower to look over the field. Then he let farmers rent it and went into another...
Read More

Mark 12 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers(A)12 Then (B)He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to [a]vinedressers and went into a far country. 2 Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to...
Read More