⁴⁵ When the leading priests and Pharisees heard this parable, they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers.

¹⁹ The teachers of religious law and the leading priests wanted to arrest Jesus immediately because they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the people’s reaction.

⁴⁵ “Teacher,” said an expert in religious law, “you have insulted us, too, in what you just said.”

¹² And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”