5. They discussed it among themselves: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why didn’t you believe him? ’
6. But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, because they are convinced that John was a prophet.”
7. So they answered that they did not know its origin.
8. And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
9. Then He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and went away for a long time.
10. At harvest time he sent a slave to the farmers so that they might give him some fruit from the vineyard. But the farmers beat him and sent him away empty-handed.
11. He sent yet another slave, but they beat that one too, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed.
12. And he sent yet a third, but they wounded this one too and threw him out.