Wim J.C. Weren, «The Use of Isaiah 5,1-7 in the Parable of the Tenants (Mark 12,1-12; Matthew 21,33-46)», Vol. 79 (1998) 1-26

This article attempts to prove the following theses. The parable of the tenants in Mark 12,1-12 has been constructed on the basis of the vineyard song in Isa 5,1-7. There are connections with the Hebrew text as well as with the LXX version. The later exegesis of Isa 5,1-7 as it is found in the Targum and in 4Q500 has also left traces in the parable. The connections with Isaiah were already present in the original form and they are enlarged in the subsequent phases of the tradition. Matthew has taken almost all references from Mark but he additionaly made links to Isa 5,1-7 which he did not derive from Mark.

the way in which the parable was adapted by Matthew at a later phase of the tradition.

I. Literary and rhetorical aspects of Isaiah 5,1-7 (Hebrew text)

       Isa 5,1-7 is a textual unit, at least on a redactional level ³. This poetic text consists of three stanzas: A: vv. 1-2; B: vv. 3-6; C: v. 7 ⁴. The main argument for this tripartition is the frequent change of subject: v. 1a is in the first person ("I") and vv. 1b-2 are in the third person ("he"); verses 3-6 revert to the first person ("I") and in v. 7 it is again the third person ("he") ⁵.