THE WICKED HUSBANDMEN Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19 I. Introduction. A. Jesus drew parables from things with which people were familiar. B. Read parable and note Mark and Luke for additional information. II. Body. A. Definitions of important words in parable. 1. Householder: Owner. [A master of the house] 2. Husbandmen: Leaser--received a percent of the yield.[A tiller of the ground; a vine dresser] a. Akin to our sharecropper? 3. Vineyard: Grapes/plot of ground. 4. Tower: For sleeping & observation.[Watch-tower] 5. Hedge: Designed to keep out foxes, wild hogs & humans.[Any sort of a fence; partition] 6. Winepress: Vat to hold pressed wine; lower vat caught juice. 7. Servants: Special messengers seeing to interest of owner. 8. Son: Beloved & only son(Mark 12:6). B. The husbandmen: 1. Knew the will of the owner. 2. Knew the vineyard did not belong to them. 3. Knew they were to surrender fruits to owner. 4. Knew the servants sent from owners. 5. Knew the owner's son. 6. They were without excuse! C. The husbandmen had no right to: 1. Change the vineyard. 2. Take fruits for own use. 3. Reject the servants approved by the owner. 4. Refuse the son. D. The vineyard of Israel. Isaiah 5:1-7. 1. Hebrews 11:36-38. 2. Acts 4:11. E. The parable is not explained in detail--but the lesson is applied: verses 43-44. F. Note: Reactions to parable: verse 45. 1. Note: Jesus conclusion: verse 42. a. Pharisees got the point! b. But fear prevented them at this time. III. Conclusion. A. What lessons did they learn? 1. They had not faithfully fulfilled their obligations to Jehovah. 2. They were going to lose care of the vineyard. 3. Their only hope(Christ) was being rejected by them. B. What lessons can we gain? 1. Those responsible for teaching. leading and guiding God's people should take notice. 2. The patience of God is evident from this parable.-jy