The first sixteen verses of this chapter belong to the subject of the previous chapter; verses t 7-28 put the Cross instead of the crown, and warn the disciples of it; in verse 29, we begin, as in all the first three Gospels, the history of the closing days and scenes of the Lord's life. The parable of the laborers in the vineyard gives the price of grace as contrasted with reward for so much work; these will be rewarded a hundredfold, but it is not so much pay for so much work—that was law—and the young man showed that really man could not stand a moment on that ground. But, as in the answer to Peter, there is reward, but the principle of labor is not so much pay for so much work, but confidence in Him who takes us in to labor. Verse 16 answers to chapter 19: 30, only the former is on the side of grace, the latter in view of man and the religion of the world.
It is to be remarked that all the workmen, except the first, come in under grace. They trusted to "Whatsoever is right," though that grace might be most definitely shown in the last, whereas the first came for stipulated wages. The principle is contrasted in this, long ago noted as the object of the parable, that reward should not enfeeble the sense of grace, while the encouragement of reward is given.
- 22, 23. The second "And be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with " is better expunged, as we see the body of authority, which retains them, have, which looks like a mere copy from the mind following the use of it in Mark.
- 29, et seq. We cannot too distinctly mark the change in the Gospels which takes place at the arrival at Jericho, and blind Bartimaeus. The Lord is there, Son of David, presenting Himself in prophetic title to Jerusalem in that right, though in the Person of the Son of God. But Psa. 2 gave Him that as part of that truth on earth. He is not the suffering Man, not the divine Healer in grace, though that in Person He could not cease to be, and His deepest sufferings were closing in. He comes in kingly and divine right judging all that was to be judged.