1. And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he was teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him, with the elders,
2. And spoke to him, saying, Tell us, By what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?
3. And he answered and said to them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:
4. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?
5. And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
6. But if we say, From men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.
7. And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.
8. And Jesus said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.
9. Then he began to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.
10. And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.
11. And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
12. And again he sent the third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.