Luke 20:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The owner asks himself what to do, and resolves to send his beloved son, hoping the tenants will reverence him.
What Does Luke 20:13 Mean?
The story pauses inside the owner's heart: 'What shall I do? I will send my beloved son.' The words echo the Father's voice at Jesus' baptism — 'Thou art my beloved Son' (Luke 3:22). Days before the cross, Jesus is telling Jerusalem exactly who he is and exactly what is about to happen.
'It may be they will reverence him' — the owner sends his dearest into known danger on a hope. Love like this does not coerce; it appeals. After every rejected servant, God's answer is not retaliation but a greater gift: no longer a messenger about himself, but his own Son, his very heart, walking into the vineyard with open hands.
Luke 20:13 in the Original Language
agapetos (ἀγαπητός), 'beloved' -- dearly loved; the word spoken from heaven over Jesus at his baptism.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 20:13
What does Luke 20:13 mean?
The owner asks himself what to do, and resolves to send his beloved son, hoping the tenants will reverence him.