New Testament
Luke 20:16
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, Jesus tells a parable about a vineyard and its farmers who fail to give the owner his due.
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
He will come and destroy those farmers and give the vineyard to others." When the people heard this, they said, "God forbid."
He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus tells a parable about a vineyard and its farmers who fail to give the owner his due. The owner represents God, and the farmers symbolize the religious leaders of Israel. When the owner sends servants to collect the fruit, the farmers mistreat them, reflecting the rejection of God's prophets. Finally, the owner sends his son, whom they also kill, illustrating the ultimate rejection of Jesus by the leaders. The statement about destroying the farmers and giving the vineyard to others signifies God's judgment on those who reject Him and His message. The crowd's reaction, 'God forbid,' shows their shock and disbelief at the idea of such judgment, indicating their understanding of the seriousness of rejecting God's authority. This parable serves as a warning about the consequences of unfaithfulness and the importance of recognizing and honoring God's messengers.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Luke 20:16 to your life
This verse reminds us to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us. We should recognize and honor God's messengers in our lives, whether they are leaders, friends, or family. Rejecting God's guidance can lead to serious consequences, so we must remain open to His direction.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 20:16 mean?
Luke 20:16 describes a parable where a vineyard owner represents God, and the farmers symbolize Israel's religious leaders. The verse highlights the consequences of rejecting God's messengers, culminating in the judgment of those who fail to honor Him.
What is the significance of the vineyard in Luke 20:16?
In Luke 20:16, the vineyard symbolizes God's kingdom and the responsibilities given to His people. The failure of the farmers to produce fruit represents the unfaithfulness of the religious leaders in fulfilling their duties to God.
What does 'God forbid' mean in Luke 20:16?
The phrase 'God forbid' in Luke 20:16 reflects the crowd's shock and disbelief at the idea of God's judgment on the farmers. It indicates their understanding of the seriousness of rejecting God's authority and the consequences that follow.
Who are the farmers in Luke 20:16?
The farmers in Luke 20:16 represent the religious leaders of Israel who fail to honor God and mistreat His messengers. Their actions illustrate a broader rejection of God's will and the consequences of such unfaithfulness.

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.
Unlock the full Luke summary
Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.
The complete summary of Luke — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 24 chapters.
What you get
Every chapter of Luke summarized in clear, modern English
How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points
Permanent access — read anytime, on any device
Best value • Save over 90%
One-time purchase • Access anytime
ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.
Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.