Mark 12:6

MARK 12:6

Mark 12:6 introduces the owner’s last resort: “Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.” After multiple failed attempts to reclaim fruit and obedience through servants, the owner escalates to sending his own beloved son. This is a pivotal turning point in the parable, escalating tension and signaling a deeper theological truth: God, in grace, sends Jesus as the final, decisive messenger with the authority of the Father. The phrase “well-beloved” reflects the unique relationship between the Father and the Son, foreshadowing the New Testament witness of Jesus’ divine sonship and mission. The expectation that the tenants will reverence him exposes their underlying motive: power, inheritance, and control. Their deadly plan becomes a crucible testing whether Israel will respond to God’s ultimate invitation.

This verse is a theological hinge: it points toward the revelation of the fullness of God’s plan in Jesus. The Son’s sending is the culmination of God’s patient pursuit and the decisive test of human response to God’s revelation. It also reveals a tragic irony: the tenants’ plan to kill the heir reveals their assumption that killing him will secure their grip on the inheritance, not realizing that God’s purposes cannot be thwarted. Theologically, it legitimizes Jesus’ authority as the Son and the rightful heir of God’s kingdom. It also foreshadows the climactic events of the passion narrative, where the Son is rejected but wins salvation through crucifixion and resurrection.

Today, we’re invited to consider: Who is the “son” in our lives—the authentic, heartfelt representation of God’s purposes? Do we respond to Christ’s leadership with reverence and obedience, or do we resist and plot to maintain control? Practical steps: regularly examine where you place security—career, reputation, possessions—and surrender the ultimate authority of your life to Jesus. In communities, honor the leadership that points you toward growth in love and justice, but remain open to critique. If you’re in a leadership role, ensure that your authority is exercised in service, not dominance, and that your decisions reflect care for the vulnerable. The key takeaway: respond to God’s ultimate invitation in Jesus with reverence that leads to transformative action.

Cross-References: Psalm 2:7; Luke 15:11-32; Matthew 21:33-41; Hebrews 1:1-2; Colossians 1:15-20