4 was John's baptism from heaven? Or did it come from men?"
5 They talked to each other about it. They said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Why didn't you believe him?'
6 But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will throw stones at us and kill us. They believe that John was a prophet."
7 So they answered Jesus, "We don't know where John's baptism came from."
8 Jesus said, "Then I won't tell you by what authority I am doing these things either."
9 Jesus went on to tell the people a story. "A man planted a vineyard," he said. "He rented it out to some farmers. Then he went away for a long time.
10 "At harvest time he sent a servant to the renters. They were supposed to give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the renters beat the servant. Then they sent him away with nothing.