Matthew Henry Commentary Mark 12:1-12

"And he began to speak unto them in parables. A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a pit for the winepress, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruits of the vineyard. And they took him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent unto them another servant; and him they wounded in the head, and handled shamefully. And he sent another; and him they killed: and many others; beating some, and killing some. He had yet one, a beloved son: he sent him last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. And they took him, and killed him, and cast him forth out of the vineyard. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. Have ye not read even this scripture: The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; This was from the Lord, And it is marvellous in our eyes? And they sought to lay hold on him; and they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spake the parable against them: and they left him, and went away." — Mark 12:1-12 (ASV)

Christ showed in parables that he would set aside the Jewish church. It is sad to think what contemptible treatment God's faithful ministers have received in all ages from those who have enjoyed the privileges of the church but have not produced fruit in keeping with them. Finally, God sent his Son, his Well-beloved. It might have been expected that the one whom their Master loved, they also should respect and love. But instead of honoring him because he was the Son and Heir, for that very reason, they hated him.

But the exaltation of Christ was the Lord's doing; and it is his doing to exalt him in our hearts and to set up his throne there. If this is done, it will certainly be marvelous in our eyes. The Scriptures, faithful preachers, and the coming of Christ in the flesh call on us to render due praise to God in our lives.

Let sinners beware of a proud, carnal spirit; if they revile or despise the preachers of Christ, they would have done the same to their Master, if they had lived when he was on earth.