Thematic Bible: Malfeasance in office


Thematic Bible



Then Jesus address'd himself to them in this parabolical manner. a certain person planted a vineyard, made a fence about it, clear'd the way for a wine-press, built a tower, and committed it to the care of vine-dressers, while he was travelling abroad. at the time of vintage he sent his servant to the vine-dressers to receive the profits of his vineyard. but they seized on him, and beat him, and sent him home empty. read more.
after this he sent another servant to them, him they assaulted with stones and cudgels, and sent him back with contempt. then he sent another, whom they killed: and of several more, some they beat, some they killed. at last, having one only son, whom he loved, he sent him to them; surely, said he, they will reverence my son. but these husbandmen said to one another, this is the heir, come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be our own. so they seized upon him, and dragg'd him out of the vineyard, and killed him.

Then he propos'd this parable to the people, a man planted a vineyard, let it out to husbandmen, and then went a travelling for some time. at vintage, he sent a servant to the husbandmen, to demand the profits of the vineyard. but they beat him and sent him away empty. again he sent another servant, him they likewise beat, insulted, and sent away empty. read more.
he still sent a third, whom they wounded and drove away. upon which the master of the vineyard said, what shall I do? I will send my beloved son: perhaps his presence will engage their respect. but when the husbandmen saw him, they said to one another, this is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be our own. so they kill'd him, and threw him out of the vineyard. what punishment now will the master inflict upon them?


Jesus said likewise to his disciples, a certain rich man had an information against his steward, for making havock of his estate. upon making him appear, he said to him, what information is this, I hear against thee? give an account of your administration, for you must not be my steward any longer. upon which the steward said in himself, what shall I do, now my master strips me of my employment? dig I cannot: and 'tis shameful to beg: I see it now, read more.
I must do something that will secure me a reception in other families, when I have lost my place in this. so he sent for every one of his master's debtors in private, he ask'd the first, how much do you owe my master? a hundred measures of oil, said he. take your bill, said the steward, sit down there, and write out one immediately for fifty. then he said to another, how much do you owe? a hundred measures of wheat, said he. take your bill, says the steward, and write out one for fourscore.