AND it came to pass, on one of those days, as he was teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and scribes with the elders came upon him, (2)and spake to him, saying, Tell us by what authority thou doest these things or who is he that giveth thee this authority? (3)Then he answering said to them, I also will ask you one question; and resolve me: (4)The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? (5)And they reasoned among themselves, saying, If we reply, From heaven; he will say, Wherefore then did ye not believe him? (6)But if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet. (7)And they answered, We know not from whence. (8)And Jesus said to them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. (9)Then he began to speak to the people this parable: A certain man planted a vineyard, and delivered it to husbandmen, and went abroad for a long while. (10)And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that they might give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat, and sent him away empty. (11)And he again sent another servant: and him also they beat, and treating him with indignity, sent him away empty. (12)And he sent yet a third: and him they also wounded, and cast out. (13)Then said the master of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: probably when they see him, they will shew him respect. (14)But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be our own. (15)So casting him out of the vineyard, they slew him. What then will the master of the vineyard do with these men? (16)He will come and destroy these husbandmen, and give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said God forbid. (17)Then he looked on them, and said, What is this then which is written[17], The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? (18)Every one who falleth upon this stone shall be broken to pieces; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. (19)And the chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him at that time; and were afraid of the people: for they knew that he had spoken this parable against them.