New Testament
Luke 20:11
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, the owner of a vineyard represents God, while the servants symbolize the prophets sent to guide and warn the people.
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
So the owner sent another servant. They beat him too, humiliated him, and sent him away with nothing.
And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the owner of a vineyard represents God, while the servants symbolize the prophets sent to guide and warn the people. The act of sending another servant shows God's patience and desire to reach out to His people despite their rejection. The beating and humiliation of the servant illustrate the hostility and resistance faced by those who deliver God's message. This pattern of mistreatment reflects the broader theme of how God's messengers are often met with scorn and violence. The phrase 'sent him away with nothing' emphasizes the futility of the servant's mission in the eyes of the people, highlighting their unwillingness to accept the truth. This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of rejecting divine guidance and the ongoing struggle between good and evil, as well as the persistence of God in seeking a relationship with humanity, even in the face of rejection.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Luke 20:11 to your life
This verse encourages us to reflect on how we respond to guidance and correction in our lives. Are we open to receiving messages that challenge us, or do we react with hostility? Embracing humility and seeking understanding can lead to growth and a deeper relationship with God.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 20:11 mean?
Luke 20:11 illustrates God's ongoing effort to reach out to His people through prophets, despite their rejection and mistreatment. The verse highlights the hostility faced by those delivering God's message and emphasizes the consequences of ignoring divine guidance.
What is the significance of the owner sending another servant in Luke 20:11?
The owner's action of sending another servant signifies God's patience and desire to connect with humanity, even when faced with rejection. It reflects the persistence of divine guidance amidst the resistance of the people.
What does the phrase 'sent him away empty' mean in Luke 20:11?
The phrase 'sent him away empty' indicates the futility of the servant's mission, showing that the people were unwilling to accept the truth or guidance offered. It underscores the rejection of God's message by those who should have received it.
How does Luke 20:11 relate to the treatment of prophets?
Luke 20:11 exemplifies the common pattern of mistreatment faced by prophets throughout history, illustrating how they are often met with scorn and violence when delivering God's messages.

The Book of Luke
Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold
In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.
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