Isaiah 1-7 And Mark 12: A Comparative Analysis

Isaiah 5:1-7 and Mark 12:1-12 both tell a version of the parable of the vineyard and tenants, a parable that has been recorded numerous times in the Bible. The parable is about a vineyard owner who has entrusted his land to tenants. It is clear that the gospel of Mark is alluding to the Isaiah’s story in his retelling of the parable. Both versions use the analogy of a vineyard, owner, and tenants to describe the covenant people’s relationship to YHWH. However the differences between these two passages are even more critical than the similarities. The key difference is who are the rightful owners and caretakers of the vineyard. This key difference is caused by three smaller literary differences: the speaker, the audience, and the son. These differences are due to the effect the new Christian church had on the author of Mark.

It is split into three stanzas with an additional introduction and an interpretation of the parable at the end. In this parable YHWH, the vineyard owner, gives a vineyard to his “beloved,” Israel, the tenants. One other possible explanation for the tenants is that they are the leaders of Israel and not Israel as a whole people. With this explanation Mark’s message is more pointed and direct. YHWH gives this vineyard to Israel with the expectation that they will care for it and it will bear fruit. When the tenants fail to bring forth fruit from the vineyard, as was their responsibility, there is judgement for the wrong but there is no rejection of the people of