According to Mark's timetable, this segment is a continuation of Jesus' third day at the Temple and the day after its cleansing. The scribes and Pharisees continue to challenge him, asking questions, hoping to trap him. The tension continues to rise.
12:1-12 Jesus told them a parable about a certain man who planted a vineyard. The owner of this vineyard equipped it with everything it needed, left it in capable hands, and went into a far country.
At harvesttime he sent into the vineyard a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. The tenants beat him, and sent him away empty.... Another servant was sent, and another;... and many others. Some were beaten; some were killed. At last the owner sent his wellbeloved son, saying, They will reverence my son. But they did not, recognizing that if they killed the heir, the inheritance would be theirs. And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
