Luke 20:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

As recorded by Luke the Evangelist, the Lord declared that 'the lord of the vineyard shall destroy the ungrateful vinedressers and give the vineyard to others'; upon hearing this, the Pharisees protested, saying, 'Let it not be!' Conversely, Matthew the Evangelist provides a different account, noting that the Lord posed the question, 'What will the owner of the vineyard do to those vinedressers?' To which the Jews replied, 'He will put the wicked to death and give the vineyard to others' (Matthew 21). Does this present a contradiction? Not at all. It is likely that both events transpired: initially, they themselves declared the judgment, as conveyed by Matthew; subsequently, recognizing that the parable was directed at them, they felt compelled to express what Luke now recounts, namely: 'Let it not be!'

When the scribes and Pharisees heard the parable, they reacted by expressing their refusal of it, saying, “Let it not be” (Luke 20:16). Their response indicates that they grasped the profound significance of the message but dismissed the suffering it implied, fearing the consequences that lay ahead. Despite their desire to distance themselves, they remained entangled in their state of rebellion and disbelief toward Christ.

He will come and put the vineyard to death, and give the vineyard to others." We may consider two possibilities: either the phrases "they said" or "they answered" have simply been left out, although they are understood, or the response is purposefully attributed to the Lord, with the truth being articulated by Him who embodies Truth itself.

The vineyard is a reflection of you and me, the people of God, who are firmly rooted in the eternal vine. They rise above the earth, transforming the barren soil into a flourishing realm adorned with blossoms and verdant growth; they embrace the gentle yoke, strengthening themselves like the vine's branches. The Vinedresser is the Almighty Father, while Christ is the vine, and we are the branches. If we fail to bear fruit in Christ, we risk being severed by the blade of the eternal Vinedresser. It is appropriate to refer to the followers of Christ as a vineyard. Firstly, they bear the mark of the cross on their foreheads. Secondly, their harvest will be gathered at the year's end, symbolizing the culmination of the ages. Thirdly, in the church, all—rich and poor, great and humble, servants and masters—stand together as grapes on the vine, treated equally without distinction. Just as the vine is grafted to other trees, so is the body interconnected with the soul. The vine, when supported, grows straight, and the pruned vine continues to thrive rather than diminish. In a similar manner, the holy people, bound yet resilient, are granted freedom; in their humiliation, they find elevation, and through martyrdom, they receive their crowns.

Ultimately, just as a tender shoot from an old tree is grafted onto a fertile root, so do the holy people, having shed the wounds of a faded branch, sprout from the tree of the Cross, cradled like a beloved child. The Holy Spirit descends like a cleansing river into this earthly abode, purifying all impurities and preparing our bodies for a heavenly vocation.

This vine is meticulously tended by the experienced Vinedresser, who skillfully prunes and enriches the soil of our beings, tirelessly removing hidden defects and fortifying it against thorns that hinder fruitful growth. Do not worry for the fate of this vine; the Lord Savior surrounds it with the wall of eternal life, shielding it from worldly trials. Its branches extend to the sea, for the earth belongs to the Lord. Wherever the Father is revered, there also is the worship of Christ.

This is the moment of reaping. Some joyfully gather ripened grapes, while others partake of heavenly gifts; yet many trample on the sacred fruit by neglecting to act upon the good works, staining their feet with the juice of their indifference. Their shoes must be discarded in recognition of the holiness of their surroundings. From the spiritual foot, bodily bonds must be relinquished before ascending to the holy throne. A harvest will occur throughout the world, as the entire Earth serves as a vineyard.

A favorable season has dawned. The chill of disbelief has melted away, and the weight of false doctrines no longer blankets the land. The earth, liberated from discord, is poised to bring forth new fruits while preserving the old. The tumult of conflict has calmed, as the heat of worldly strife that had consumed Italy in the fires of Jewish and Arian discord now lies quiet. Smooth waters prevail, and the vessel of unity is navigating the seas, driven by the winds of faith, as its crew strains to reach the safe harbors of belief, sealing their joyous reunions on the shores of divine grace.

Rejoice, O vineyard! You are deserving of your Guardian. You have been consecrated not only by the blood of Nebuchadnezzar and many prophets but also by the far more precious blood of the Lord. Nebuchadnezzar, undaunted by the king's threats, remained steadfast in faith, refusing to exchange piety for riches, and protected the vine with his own blood in the face of death. Yet, while he provided temporary shelter for the vine, you have been eternally rooted by the sacrifices of countless martyrs and have extended to the ends of the earth through the cross of the apostles, mirroring the Passion of the Lord.

There was no need for further explanation of this parable; those it concerned understood well who the tenants were. It was also apparent that when the Lord refrained from responding to questions regarding His authority as the Messiah, He claimed the title of the Son of the Master and set Himself apart from all the servants who had been sent before Him.

To demonstrate their disassociation from the parable, they replied to Jesus' inquiry, “What will the owner of the vineyard do when he arrives?” Their response was, “Certainly he will bring these wrongdoers to a harsh end and entrust the vineyard to other tenants who will deliver its fruits in their season.” Ironically, the very villains declared their own judgment, which soon came to pass; the authority of the Jewish leadership was revoked, along with their role as stewards of God’s will among both Jews and Gentiles who visited the temple in Jerusalem. With the temple's destruction and the scattering of the people, their existence as a nation came to an end.

However, those who recognized that He referred to them (Matthew 21:45, Mark 12:12, Luke 24:19) replied, “Let it not be so” (Luke 20:16), meaning it should not come to that (although both their conscience and common sense suggested otherwise), or rather, God avert such a fate from them (as noted by Chrysostom and Theophilus). Then, as He gazed upon them, seemingly indicating that they had indeed interpreted the parable correctly in relation to Him, He declared: “the stone that” etc.; for further details, refer to Matthew 21:42-44.