NOTES for Mar 12:1-12

The meaning of Jesus’ parable of the vineyard was so obvious that it was impossible not to understand it. Naturally, those who listened to Jesus understood everything perfectly well. Yet having understood, they made no attempt, not merely to repent, but even to reflect on what they had heard. On the contrary, their sole desire was to kill this Preacher who had deprived them of their peaceful life, and only the public nature of the occasion stopped them. At first sight, such a reaction may seem completely abnormal. But only at first sight; on reflection, everything taking place proves quite logical, although it is a terrible logic, above all in its spiritual consequences. Those listening to Jesus were undoubtedly deeply religious people. Yet Jesus’ words completely devalued their religiosity and, more than that, gave it a negative meaning. Jesus opened the way into the Kingdom for the Pharisees, but He completely destroyed their religion. They had to choose between religion and the Kingdom. The overwhelming majority chose religion. But then this Preacher had to be eliminated, at any cost, or what He was saying would destroy the Pharisees’ religion. The decision came instantly: without any prior agreement, those listening to Jesus decided that He must die. Such is the logic of religious self-preservation, the logic that leads the Savior of the world to the cross.