Jesus was talking with the most senior religious officials (the Chief Priests and Elders of the people - Matthew 21:23). He asked them questions to drive them to understand their spiritual poverty, despite their social distinction and wealth. The question in this passage was in the form of a simple riddle about words and actions.
 

Like big businessmen today, the landowner in this story by Jesus, planned and built his vineyard with appropriate security to protect the crops from being ravaged by animals or pilfered by thieves. Having set up the estate he then let it out to tenant farmers before leaving the estate in their hands and moving on to set up another business. The tenants had the obligation to keep the fruit for the owner. After all, it was his vineyard.
 

Jesus was rejected by the people who ought to have welcomed Him. But it was not a surprise because Isaiah had predicted it some 700 years previously (Isaiah 53:3). Jesus was fully aware of the ordeal which faced Him and He told the disciples on several occasions although they did not want to understand what He was saying. Now He was telling the religious leaders who were becoming very active in their rejection.
 

Weddings are usually eagerly-awaited social events. The opportunity to join in the joy of others is a great privilege, especially when the invitation is given by the king and the bridegroom is the king's son. Jesus used that scenario as the basis for another parable to the religious leaders who did not want to accept His teaching or allow Him to stir up the people against the religious hierarchy.