4. The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?
5. And they discussed this with one another, saying, “If we say ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’
6. But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, because they are convinced that John was a prophet.”
7. And they replied that they did not know where it was from.
8. And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
9. And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, and leased it to tenant farmers, and went on a journey for a long time.
10. And at the proper time he sent a slave to the tenant farmers, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenant farmers sent him away empty-handed after beating him.
11. And he proceeded to send another slave, but they beat and dishonored that one also, and sent him away empty-handed.
12. And he proceeded to send a third, but they wounded and threw out this one also.
13. So the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What should I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’