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.
13. Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be when they see him they will reverence him.
14. But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
15. So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do to them?
16. He will come and destroy these husbandmen, and will give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, may that never be.
17. And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
18. Whoever shall fall upon that stone, shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
19. And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.
20. And they watched him, and sent forth spies, who should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him to the power and authority of the governor.
21. And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:
22. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Cesar, or not?
23. But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, Why tempt ye me?