Read Luke 20:1-26
[the people] are convinced that John was a prophet.
Then the experts in the law and the chief priests wanted to arrest him that very hour because they realized he had told this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.
They knew he was claiming to be the son of God, and claiming to be this rejected stone, which would crush them. Everyone knew John was a prophet.
The people recognized John as a prophet. He looked like a prophet, and spoke like a prophet.
Therefore produce fruit that proves your repentance, Matthew 3:8
The Samaritan woman in John 4 knew Jesus was a prophet, because he told her "everything [she] ever did". Even a Samaritan could recognize a prophet with her own eyes.
Jesus said to them "This vineyard is not yours!" You will be destroyed, and it given to others. How much do we put our faith in ourselves? How often do your hear prophecy and think "that message isn't for me, it's for someone else."
Hear God's voice of warning, and be God's voice of warning! Even the offspring of vipers needs to be warned about the coming wrath.