Matthew 20

Mt 20:1-16.

PARABLE OF THE

LABORERS IN THE

VINEYARD.

This parable, recorded only by Matthew, is closely connected with the

end

of the nineteenth chapter,

being spoken with reference to Peter's question as to how it should

fare with those who, like himself, had left all for Christ. It is

designed to show that while they would be richly rewarded, a

certain equity would still be observed towards later converts

and workmen in His service.

1. For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder,

&c.--The figure of a vineyard, to represent the rearing of souls for

heaven, the culture required and provided for that purpose, and the care

and pains which God takes in that whole matter, is familiar to every

reader of the Bible.

(Ps 80:8-16;

Isa 5:1-7;

Jer 2:21;

Lu 20:9-16;

Joh 15:1-8).

At vintage time, as WEBSTER and WILKINSON remark, labor was scarce, and masters were

obliged to be early in the market to secure it. Perhaps the pressing

nature of the work of the Gospel, and the comparative paucity of

laborers, may be incidentally suggested,

Mt 9:37, 38.

The "laborers," as in

Mt 9:38,

are first, the official servants of the Church, but after them

and along with them all the servants of Christ, whom He has laid

under the weightiest obligation to work in His service.

2. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny--a usual day's

hire.

he sent them into his vineyard.

3. And he went out about the third hour--about nine o'clock, or after

a fourth of the working day had expired: the day of twelve hours was

reckoned from six to six.

and saw others standing idle in the market place--unemployed.

4. And said unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is

right--just, equitable, in proportion to their time.

I will give you. And they went their way.

5. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour--about noon, and

about three o'clock in the afternoon.

and did likewise--hiring and sending into his vineyard fresh laborers

each time.

6. And about the eleventh hour--but one hour before the close of the

working day; a most unusual hour both for offering and engaging

and found others standing idle, and saith, Why stand ye here all the

day idle?--Of course they had not been there, or not been disposed to

offer themselves at the proper time; but as they were now willing, and

the day was not over, and "yet there was room," they also are engaged,

and on similar terms with all the rest.

8. So when even was come--that is, the reckoning time between

masters and laborers (see

De 24:15);

pointing to the day of final account.

the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward--answering to Christ

Himself, represented "as a Son over His own house"

(Heb 3:6;

see

Mt 11:27;

Joh 3:35; 5:27).

Call the labourers and give them their hire, beginning from the last

unto the first--Remarkable direction this--last hired, first paid.

9. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they

received every man a penny--a full day's wages.

10. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have

received more--This is that calculating, mercenary spirit which had

peeped out--though perhaps very slightly--in Peter's question

(Mt 19:27),

and which this parable was designed once for all to put down among the

servants of Christ.

11. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman

of the house--rather, "the householder," the word being the same as in

Mt 20:1.

12. Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made

them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat--the burning

heat.

of the day--who have wrought not only longer but during a more trying

period of the day.

13. But he answered one of them--doubtless the spokesman of the

complaining party.

and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for

a penny? &c.

15. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine

eye evil, because I am good?--that is, "You appeal to justice, and

case being disposed of, with the terms I make with other laborers you

have nothing to do; and to grudge the benevolence shown to others, when

unworthy envy of your neighbor, and discontent with the goodness that

engaged and rewarded you in his service at all."

16. So the last shall be first, and the first last--that is, "Take

heed lest by indulging the spirit of these murmurers at the penny given

to the last hired, ye miss your own penny, though first in the vineyard;

while the consciousness of having come in so late may inspire these last

with such a humble frame, and such admiration of the grace that has

hired and rewarded them at all, as will put them into the foremost place

in the end."

for many be called, but few chosen--This is another of our Lord's terse

and pregnant sayings, more than once uttered in different connections.

(See

Mt 19:30; 22:14).

The "calling" of which the New Testament almost invariably speaks is

what divines call effectual calling, carrying with it a

supernatural operation on the will to secure its consent. But that

cannot be the meaning of it here; the "called" being emphatically

distinguished from the "chosen." It can only mean here the "invited."

And so the sense is, Many receive the invitations of the Gospel whom

God has never "chosen to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit

and belief of the truth"

(2Th 2:13).

But what, it may be asked, has this to do with the subject of our

parable? Probably this--to teach us that men who have wrought in

Christ's service all their days may, by the spirit which they manifest

at the last, make it too evident that, as between God and their own

souls, they never were chosen workmen at all.

Mt 20:17-28.

THIRD

EXPLICIT

ANNOUNCEMENT OF

HIS

APPROACHING

SUFFERINGS,

DEATH, AND

RESURRECTION--THE

AMBITIOUS

REQUEST OF

JAMES AND

JOHN, AND THE

REPLY.

Mr 10:32-45;

Lu 18:31-34).

For the exposition, see on

Mr 10:32-45.

Mt 20:29-34.

TWO

BLIND

MEN

HEALED.

Mr 10:46-52;

Lu 18:35-43).

For the exposition, see on

Lu 18:35-43.