5. They reasoned among themselves, 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, for they are convinced that John was a prophet."
7. So they answered that they did not know where it came from.
8. And Jesus said to them, "Nor will I tell you by what authority I do these things."
9. And He began to tell the people this parable: "A man planted a vineyard and rented it out to vine-growers, and went on a journey for a long time.
10. At the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, so that they would give him some of the produce of the vineyard; but the vine-growers beat him and sent him away empty-handed.
11. And he proceeded to send another slave; and they beat him also and treated him shamefully and sent him away empty-handed.
12. And he proceeded to send a third; and this one also they wounded and cast out.
13. The owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.'