Matthew 20 - Parable of The Vineyard Workers
Another illustration of what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. We are going to see a landowner hire the first workers for his vineyard early in the morning. This parable illustrates the equity of God's dealings, even when the first are placed last, and the last first.
1For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. Another illustration of what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. We are going to see a landowner hire the "first" workers for his vineyard early in the morning. (Around 6:00 a.m.). This parable was intended to illustrate the equity of God's dealings, even when "the first are placed last, and the last first."
2And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. The common pay at this time. ("A denarius," the payment for a day's labor; equivalent to $20 in modern times).
3And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, This would be around 9:00 a.m. when the landowner hired more workers from the market place.
4And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. The landowner would pay them what was right at the end of the day.
5Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. This would be around 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. when he hired these two groups of workers.
6And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? Now it is around 5:00 p.m. when he hired the last group of workers. Remember these were the "last" workers he hired in relation to the "first."
7They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. These men were standing idle; not that they did not want to work, but because no one ever hired them. However, they are still good workers willing to work. Spiritually speaking this group would represent those who never had the truth but were willing to learn. Keep in mind we are talking about the Kingdom of God here. (Ephesians 6:8). "God is always fair."
8So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. Again "God is always fair." Our Heavenly Father is about to give a spiritual lesson here that they did not understand.
9And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. The last workers hired received a denarius (their $20).
10But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. The men hired earlier in the day also received a denarius (their $20), but they thought they should receive more.
11And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, They started to complain, but that is what they agreed upon earlier in the day. "A days wages."
12Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. They thought that because they worked a little longer, that they should get more pay. Well, according to today's hourly work standards they would be right. But, these were standards at the time for a days pay. Again, keep in mind that we are speaking spiritual here (money of no value), and who would be more worthy in the Kingdom of God.
13But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? This is what you agreed upon when you were hired to work all day.
14Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. It is my desire to pay all the workers the same. Again, "God is always fair."
15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? It is lawful to do what I wish with my own money and you should not be angry because I am kind to others. They still did not get the spiritual message. "No one is greater in the Kingdom of God."
16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. Referring to the last chapter when Peter asked about their rewards. (Matthew 19:27-30). All those who "obey Gods call" will get the "same reward" in the end. (In the Kingdom of God). For the deeper student, we can also refer to those who overcame in the first earth age. (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). They were first then, but will be called last at the end of this world age because God can count on them to stand against antichrist at the proper time. (Read our study topic titled, "Three Earth Ages," for a better understanding. Many be called, but few are chosen: Many were called to work for the landowner, but only those willing to work were chosen. So it is in the Kingdom of Heaven; many will be called, but not everyone responds to the calling. (James 1:23-25).
17And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Jesus spoke to the twelve apostles in private.
18Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, Betrayed to the leaders of the religious community.
19And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. Handed over to the Romans to be crucified. But, will rise again and death will be defeated. Here Jesus is telling the disciples exactly what will happen to Him. "Do they believe Him, or will they be shocked when it happens?"
20Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. Both sons came and worshipped Him and their mother asking a favor.
21And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. She wanted her two sons to sit on both side of Christ. We know that the bible tells us that only God sits next to Christ. She wanted one of her sons to take the place of God. I don't think she even realized what she was asking.
22But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. Christ asked them if they could go through what was about to happen to Him? They said they could do it. (Don't think James and John knew what they were getting into).
23And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. Your going to die that death, it is written. But, only God can decide who will sit with Him on the throne. Never insult God by trying to get to the top of the list in Heaven.
24And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. The other disciples were angered when they heard what James and John had asked for. They felt they have been wronged. (Everyone wants to be Jesus' right hand man). God sits on the throne, Christ sits on the right hand of God. If anyone else is honored enough to sit beside them, I am pretty sure it will be "Moses and Elisha." Not the apostles. We will wait and see.
25But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. They lord it over those beneath them. To get ahead in this world, people step on, and over other people. (Whatever it takes to get ahead).
26But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; Among you it will be different. Anyone wanting to be a leader among you must first be your servant. Christ came to serve the people, we should learn to serve others more than we want to be served.
27And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: And if you want to be right at the top, you must be a slave to God first. (You must desire to serve God as a slave). This applies in daily life. If you are a leader in the world today, you must also learn to serve the people.
28Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. You must have an attitude as Christ when He came. He did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life for many. Why? "To defeat death and the Devil." (Hebrews 2:14).
29And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. Vast crowds followed Him because they like what He said and did.
30And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. They knew He was the Messiah.
31And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. The crowds told them to be quite, but they only yelled out louder to Christ. Why? Because they knew He was the Messiah and they had faith in Him to heal them.
32And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? Jesus was ready to serve them because of their faith.
33They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. They were blind and wanted to see.
34So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. Jesus touched them and instantly they could see, and followed Him. Their eye were also spiritually opened. These two were physically blind but they still knew that He was the Messiah because of their faith. Many today can physically see, but they are spiritually blind. We must remove the blinders from traditions of men and false teachings. We must have faith in the Word and never doubt God, and our spiritual eyes will be opened.
Keep the faith,
Barton
