Recent Research on the Parable of the Wicked Tenants: An Assessment

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Mark 12:1–12) remains in the spotlight as one of the most debated—and misunderstood—parables of Jesus. Three factors lead to failure in understanding this parable: (1) ignoring its OT and Jewish context; (2) the desire on the part of interpreters to avoid any thought of judgment; and (3) the desire to avoid any correlation with Jesus. It is concluded that this parable is a juridical parable, modeled after Isaiah's juridical parable, or song, of the vineyard (Isa 5:1–7), which passes judgment against the ruling priests of Jerusalem.