He will come and destroy those tenant farmers and give the vineyard to others. But when they heard it they said, ‘No, certainly not!’
Luke 20:16
Careful comparison of Matthew 21:40-42, Mark 12:9-10, and Luke 20:15-17 reveals a difficult interpretive challenge. Indeed, many commentaries and ‘harmonies’ of the gospels choose to skip right over it. But the difference between Luke and both Matthew and Mark is obvious.
How can this be solved? Did Jesus tell them what should be done to the tenant farmers, or did those standing there do it? Matthew indicates that His hearers answered. Mark and Luke have Jesus answering the question. And, Luke shares a different answer from the hearers. How do we reconcile all of this?
In the context, Jesus is speaking in the temple and there are a couple of crowds that are involved. One crowd is the people at large assembled in the temple and surrounding area. The other crowd is the Jewish leaders. These two crowds were not assembled in front of Jesus with Him standing on a stage with a microphone in His hand. His words would in some cases be shared by one group over to another, since not everyone would necessarily hear him all at once.
Therefore based on the clues we have in all three passages, it seems that most of those who heard Christ were either in agreement with Christ’s statement of what should be done to the tenants, or said the same thing themselves when they heard it. Rhetorical questions do not always go unanswered and the reasonable answer was obvious.
But, the response of the Jewish leadership was unique. They understood the implication of the parable and Luke here shares their strong reaction. This is why Jesus looks right at them in the next verse, to respond to their aversion.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Truth. Even when those who should know the truth reject it strongly, You still give it to humanity. We are unworthy, but You are worthy of all praise. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.