2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? Or, who is he who gave thee this authority?
3 And he answered, and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; answer me.
4 The baptism of John; was it from heaven, or of men?
5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
6 And if we say, Of 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 Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you, by what authority I do these things.
9 Then began he to speak to the people, this parable. A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.
10 And at the season of the harvest, he sent his 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 entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
12 And again he sent a third, and they wounded him also, and cast him out.
