Luke 20:16

Only Luke recorded the verbal response of the people to the vineyard owner’s action: "may it never be" (Gr. me genoito, cf. Romans 3:4; Romans 3:6; Romans 3:31, et al.). This was a strong statement expressing firm rejection. They understood that Jesus was predicting that God would condemn Israel’s leaders and turn the nation over to other people, probably Gentiles and specifically the Romans. They foresaw the end of Judaism as they knew it, and this prospect upset them.