Jesus tells a parable to the crowd.
Luke 20:10 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.
Luke 20:10 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed.
And during a season, he sent off a slave to the vine dressers so that they would give him from the fruit of the vineyard. These vine dressers, however, dismissed him beating him fruitlessly.
The Greek translated as "husbandmen/tenants" specifically means "vine-dressers".
The punchline is the last word. It is translated as "empty" and "empty handed" which works when referring to the sending him away, but here it modifies "beating". When referring to "beating" is means "to no purpose", as we would say, "for no reason". However, it is also a play on words because this word also means "fruitless" and "fruitlessly" referring back to the "fruit" that he was sent to collect.
It sounds emasculating to be beaten fruitless.
καὶ καιρῷ ἀπέστειλεν πρὸς τοὺς γεωργοὺς δοῦλον,
And during a season, he sent off to the vine dressers a slave
ἵνα ἀπὸ τοῦ καρποῦ τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος δώσουσιν αὐτῷ:
so that from the fruit of the vineyard. they would give him
οἱ δὲ γεωργοὶ ἐξαπέστειλαν αὐτὸν δείραντες κενόν.
These however vine dressers, dismissed him beating him fruitless.
And at the(IW) season he sent(CW) a servant to the husbandmen, that they should(WW) give him of(CW) the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat(WF) him, and(IW) sent him away empty.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "the" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "sent" does not capture the word's specific meaning of "sent off" or "sent out".
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "should" should be something more like "will".
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the word form usually translated as "of".
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "beating".
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "and" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "word" at the beginning of the sentence is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "harvest" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "sent" does not capture the word's specific meaning of "sent off" or "sent out".
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "tenants" should be something more like "vine-dressers".
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "some" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the word form usually translated as "of".
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "tenants" should be something more like "vine-dressers".
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "beating".
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "and" doesn't exist in the source.
And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis, "even", "also" and "just".
at -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with", "in", "of", "as", "by", "for", "at" or "on" depending on the context.
the -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
season -- "Season " is a noun that means "due measure", "season", "opportunity", "time" and "profit". The "at" comes from the form, which usually an indirect object but with a noun of time means "during". There is no "the" with the word.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
sent -- (CW) The "sent" here is a word that means "to send off" and "dispatch". It is the source of our word "apostle". This word is not the simple "send" but a more complex one that means "send out" or "send from".
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
servant -- The noun translated as "a servant" means "slave". It is translated as "servant" to update the Bible.
to -- The word translated as "to" means "towards", "by reason of" (for) and "against".
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") than the English "the". See this article for more.
husbandmen -- The word translated as "husbandmen" means to those "tilling the ground" and from that, "vine dresser", "gardener" and "peasant".
that -- The word translated as "that" is an adverb or a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "there", "where" and "in order that".
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
should -- (WW) This helping verb "should" the verb is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. This word doesn't mean "should".
give -- The verb translated as "they should give" means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over", "appoint", "establish" and "to describe". It is almost always translated as some form of "give." It is in the future tense, which is odd. The form should be a subjective because it is something that should happen.
him -- There is no Greek pronoun here, but Greek does not need pronouns when the object can be assumed from the context. In English, they are added for the subject-verb-object form of our sentences.
of -- (CW) The word translated as "of" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source. This is not the word form usually translated as "of".
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") than the English "the". See this article for more.
fruit -- The word translated as "fruit" primary meaning is "fruit", "seed," or "offspring", but its secondary meaning is "returns", specifically, "profit", as we would say "fruit of our labors".
of -- This word "of" comes from the possessive form (genitive case) of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") than the English "the". See this article for more.
vineyard -- "Vineyard" is the Greek noun that means "vineyard".
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "however" and "on the other hand". Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") than the English "the". See this article for more.
husbandmen -- The word translated as "husbandmen" means those "tilling the ground" and from that, "vine dresser", "gardener" and "peasant".
beat - (WF)- The Greek verb translated as "beat" means "to flay" or "to skin" someone, though in later use it came to mean "to cudgel" or "to thrash". Jesus seems to use it to mean being "flogged". This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "beating".
him -- There is no Greek pronoun here, but Greek does not need pronouns when the object can be assumed from the context. In English, they are added for the subject-verb-object form of our sentences.
and -- (IW) These is no "and" here. It is added because the previous participle was changed from an adjective form to an active verb in translation.
sent -- "Sent...away" is an uncommon term for Jesus to use, seen only in this story, which means to "dispatch", "send forth", "send away" and "dismiss". It is a form of the verb translated as "sent" earlier in this verse. This verb comes first in the sentence. He was sent away before he is beaten.
him -- The word translated as "him" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there".
away - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
empty -- "Empty" is another uncommon word only seen earlier in the parallel verse in Mark. It means "empty", "fruitless", "void", "ineffectual", "to no purpose", "destitute", "empty-handed", "devoid of wit", "vain" and "pretentious". Since it follows "beaten" the sense is "to no purpose".
missing "and " -- (MW) The untranslated word "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis, "even", "also" and "just".
At -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with", "in", "of", "as", "by", "for", "at" or "on" depending on the context.
harvest -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
time -- "Season" is a noun that means "due measure", "season", "opportunity", "time" and "profit". The "at" comes from the form, which usually an indirect object but with a noun of time means "during". There is no "the" with the word.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
sent -- (CW) The "sent" here is a word that means "to send off" and "dispatch." It is the source of our word "apostle". This word is not the simple "send" but a more complex one that means "send out" or "send from."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
servant -- The noun translated as "a servant" means "slave". It is translated as "servant" to update the Bible.
to -- The word translated as "to" means "towards", "by reason of" (for) and "against".
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") than the English "the". See this article for more.
tenants -- (WW) The word translated as "tenants" means to those "tilling the ground" and from that, "vine dresser", "gardener" and "peasant". This word doesn't mean "tenants".
so -- The word translated as "so" is an adverb or a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "there", "where" and "in order that".
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
would -- This helping verb "would" is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
give -- The verb translated as "they should give" means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over", "appoint", "establish" and "to describe". It is almost always translated as some form of "give". It is in the future tense, which is odd. The form should be a subjective because it is something that should happen.
him -- There is no Greek pronoun here, but Greek does not need pronouns when the object can be assumed from the context. In English, they are added for the subject-verb-object form of our sentences.
some -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
of -- (CW) The word translated as "of" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source. This is not the word form usually translated as "of".
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") than the English "the". See this article for more.
fruit -- The word translated as "fruit" primary meaning is "fruit", "seed" or "offspring", but its secondary meaning is "returns", specifically, "profit", as we would say "fruit of our labors".
of -- This word "of" comes from the possessive form (genitive case) of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") than the English "the". See this article for more.
vineyard -- "Vineyard" is the Greek noun that means "vineyard".
But -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "however" and "on the other hand". Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") than the English "the". See this article for more.
tenants -- (WW) The word translated as "tenants" means to those "tilling the ground" and from that, "vine dresser", "gardener" and "peasant". This word doesn't mean "tenants".
beat - (WF)- The Greek verb translated as "beat" means "to flay" or "to skin" someone, though in later use it came to mean "to cudgel" or "to thrash". Jesus seems to use it to mean being "flogged". This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "beating".
him -- There is no Greek pronoun here, but Greek does not need pronouns when the object can be assumed from the context. In English, they are added for the subject-verb-object form of our sentences.
and -- (IW) These is no "and" here. It is added because the previous participle was changed from an adjective form to an active verb in translation.
sent -- "Sent...away" is an uncommon term for Jesus to use, seen only in this story, which means to "dispatch", "send forth", "send away" and "dismiss". It is a form of the verb translated as "sent" earlier in this verse. This verb comes first in the sentence. He was sent away before he is beaten.
him -- The word translated as "him" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there".
away - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
empty-handed.-- "Empty-handed" is another uncommon word only seen earlier in the parallel verse in Mark. It means "empty", "fruitless", "void", "ineffectual", "to no purpose", "destitute", "empty-handed", "devoid of wit", "vain" and "pretentious". Since it follows "beaten" the sense is "to no purpose".
καὶ (conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and" or "but". After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also". Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also" and "just".
καιρῷ ( noun sg masc dat ) "At the season" is kairos, which means "due measure", "proportion", "fitness", "exact time", "season", "opportunity", "time", "critical times", "advantage" and "profit".
ἀπέστειλεν ( verb 3rd sg aor ind act ) "He sent" is apostello, which means "to send off", "to send away" or "to dispatch".
πρὸς (prep) "To" is pros, which means "on the side of", "in the direction of", "from" (place), "towards", "before", "in the presence of", "in the eyes of", "in the name of", "by reason of", "before" (supplication), "proceeding from" (for effects), "dependent on", "derivable from", "agreeable", "becoming", "like", "at the point of", "in addition to", "against" and "before".
τοὺς [821 verses](article pl masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".
γεωργοὺς (adj pl masc acc) "Husbandmen" is from georgos, which means "tilling the ground" and from that, "husbandman", "vine dresser", "gardener" and "peasant".
δοῦλον, (noun sg masc acc) "The servant" is doulos, which means a "slave", a "born bondsman" or "one made a slave",
ἵνα (adv/conj) "That" is hina, which means "in that place", "there", "where", "when", "that", "in order that", "when" and "because".
ἀπὸ (prep) "Of" is apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from" from when referring to place or motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause.
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".
καρποῦ (noun sg masc gen) The fruit" is karpos, which means "fruit", "the fruits of the earth", "seed", "offspring", "returns for profit" and "reward".
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".
ἀμπελῶνος (noun sg masc gen) "Of the vineyard" is from ampelon which means simply "vineyard".
δώσουσιν ( verb 3rd pl fut ind act ) "They should give" is didomi, which means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over", "appoint", "establish" and "to describe".
αὐτῷ: (adj sg masc dat) "Him" is autos, which means "the same" and the reflexive pronouns, "myself", "yourself", "himself", "herself", "itself" or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him", "her" and "it". It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord". In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there".
οἱ (article pl masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".
δὲ (conj/adv) "But" is de which means "but" and "on the other hand". It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be a weak connective ("and") and explanation of cause ("so") and a condition ("if").
γεωργοὶ (adj pl masc nom) "Husbandmen" is from georgos, which means "tilling the ground" and from that, "husbandman", "vine dresser", "gardener" and "peasant".
ἐξαπέστειλαν [3 verses]( verb 3rd pl aor ind act ) "Sent...away" is exapostellō, which means to "dispatch", "send forth", "send away" and "dismiss".
αὐτὸν (adj sg masc acc) "Him" is autos, which means "the same" and the reflexive pronouns, "myself", "yourself", "himself", "herself", "itself" or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him", "her," and "it". It also means "one's true self", that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord", In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there".
δείραντες [8 verses] ( part pl aor act masc nom ) "Beat" is from dero, which means "to flay" or "to skin" someone, though in later use it came to mean "to cudgel" or "to thrash".
κενόν. [3 verses]( adj sg masc acc ) "Empty" is from kenos, which means "empty", "fruitless", "void", "ineffectual", "to no purpose", "destitute", "empty-handed", "devoid of wit", "vain" and "pretentious".
The "empty" and "empty handed" also means "fruitless" and "fruitlessly" referring to his beating and refers to the fact that they gave him no fruit.