Mark 12:3 Meaning and Explanation
“And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The tenants seize the owner's servant, beat him, and send him away with nothing.
What Does Mark 12:3 Mean?
The first servant arrives to collect the owner's share, and the tenants answer with violence. They give him no fruit at all -- only blows -- and send him back empty-handed.
Jesus is retelling Israel's long history with her prophets, who came asking for covenant faithfulness and were met with contempt. To refuse God's messenger is to refuse the One who sent him. The tenants' first act of violence is also a first mercy refused; the owner could have come in judgment then and there, but the story -- like God's patience -- keeps going.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 12:3
What does Mark 12:3 mean?
The tenants seize the owner's servant, beat him, and send him away with nothing.