Luke 20:9

‘And he began to speak to the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country for a long time.” '

Jesus' words are spoken to the people, but as ever among these were a number of antagonists, including chief priests and Scribes. The idea of Israel as a vineyard is found regularly in the Old Testament. In Isaiah 5:1 we have a similar opening to this, ‘My wellbeloved had a vineyard in a very fruitful hill' (Isaiah 5:1). And there the choicest vine was planted and it produced wild grapes, so that it was ripe for judgment. And that vineyard and vine were Israel and Judah Compare also Psalms 80:8; Jeremiah 2:21; Hosea 9:10, where again the vineyard is Israel/Judah.

Here the vineyard is planted (Luke omits the further details) and put under the control of others who are made responsible for ensuring that a fair rental in terms of produce is paid to the owner. The owner, Who is clearly the God of Israel, then leaves it in their hands ‘for a long time'. It would take four years for the vineyard to become fruitful in such a way that rents (paid in produce) could be expected (see Leviticus 19:23). Even the Jewish leaders recognised that here He was speaking about them (Luke 20:19). It was they who saw themselves as having the responsibility for God's vineyard.