He said, A [. . .] person owned a vineyard and rented it to some farmers, so they could work it and he could collect its crop from them. He sent his slave so the farmers would give him the vineyard's crop. They grabbed him, beat him, and almost killed him, and the slave returned and told his master. His master said, "Perhaps he didn't know them." He sent another slave, and the farmers beat that one as well. Then the master sent his son and said, "Perhaps they'll show my son some respect." Because the farmers knew that he was the heir to the vineyard, they grabbed him and killed him. Anyone here with two ears had better listen! (65 Thomas)

We are reasonably confident of the farmers' motivation.

The parable is explicit the owner was seeking to collect his portion of the crop.

But how do we explain the owner's persistent naivete and willingness to risk his son?

And what will the owner do now? In the synoptic Gospels' version of the story he will destroy the farmers and give the vineyard to others.

In Isaiah the owner destroys the vineyard.

If the last 2000 years provides a clue the owner will continue to send his servants and invite us into covenant with him.

The scriptural parallels are Isaiah 5:1-7, Mark 12:1-9, Matthew 21:33-41, and Luke 20:9-16.

Above is another illustration of Thomas encountering the risen Christ.