5They reasoned with themselves, saying, "If we say, `From heaven,` he will say, `Why didn`t you believe him?`
6But if we say, `From men,` all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet."
7They answered that they didn`t know where it was from.
8Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."
9He began to tell the people this parable. "A man planted a vineyard, and rented it out to some farmers, and went into another country for a long time.
10At the proper season, he sent a servant to the farmers to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the farmers beat him, and sent him away empty.
11He sent yet another servant, and they also beat him, and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
