MATT. 20:1-161For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. 2And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 5Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 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? 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. 8So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 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. 13But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. (Matthew 20:1‑16)
Verse 1. "For the kingdom of heaven [the heavens] is like unto a man that is a householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard.”
THIS parable is founded on what had just occurred, as recorded in the preceding chapter. The rich, young man having gone away sorrowful, the disciples were instructed as to the necessity for divine grace in order to full surrender, since that which was impossible to man was possible to God. Peter having called to remembrance their having given up all, asked the question, "What shall we have therefore?" The Lord by this parable teaches that the awards of the kingdom, though apportioned on principles of strict justice, were, after all, rewards of grace, distributed in sovereignty, and beyond all proportion to the sacrifice or service rendered. This is not the Savior calling sinners, but the Son over His own house, employing laborers in His own service. The early morn may suggest the idea either of the commencement of the dispensation, or of the time of conversion, or the period of a call to special service.
Verse 2. "And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny [denarius] a day [the day], he sent them into his vineyard.”
All who enter on the service of the Lord Jesus may enter with the full persuasion that their labor will not be in vain in the Lord; that they serve no hard master, but one whose principle is that the laborer is worthy of his hire; and that, when He comes, He will reward every one according to his works, so that not even the gift of a cup of cold water will be overlooked by Him.
The denarius, or Roman penny, in value about seven pence or eight pence halfpenny, was the ordinary remuneration at that time for a day's work.
Verses 3-7. "And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market-place, and said unto them, ' Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right [just] I will give you.' And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, ' Why stand ye here all the day idle?' They say unto him, ' Because no man hath hired us.' He saith unto them, ' Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right [just] that shall ye receive.'”
Early in the morning would be at sunrise, say about six o'clock according to our reckoning; the third hour, nine o'clock; the sixth hour, twelve o'clock; the ninth hour, three o'clock in the afternoon; and the eleventh hour, one hour before sunset. The length of the period spent in the professed service of the Lord Jesus, although not overlooked by Him, may not always be the criterion by which He estimates the value of the service rendered; but, whether the time he long or short, every man shall receive his own reward, according to his own labor. The thoughts and intents of the heart, the motives, the measure of self-sacrifice, the opposition encountered, the obstacles to be overcome, the results of the service, all these will be taken into account by Him who trieth the heart and the reins, as well as the length of time occupied in the service.
Verse 8. "So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, ' Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.'”
The day, according to the Hebrew calculation, ends at sunset; when the even has come the day closes. The present dispensation, or day of salvation, which commenced at Pentecost, will come to its close at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering unto Him. One of the first actions of the Lord Jesus after His coming will be to take account of His servants. "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall every man have praise of God" (1 Cor. 4:55Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)).
Verses 9-16. “And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying, ' 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.' But he answered one of them, and said, ' Friend, I do thee no wrong [injustice]; didst thou not agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way; I will give [it is my will to give] unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own [in mine own affairs]? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? ‘So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”
In the distribution of rewards by the Lord at His coming, there will be a manifestation of three great and glorious principles—JUSTICE, SOVEREIGNTY, and GRACE.
The HOUSEHOLDER (verse 1), when he engages the laborers, guarantees a full and just remuneration for service to be rendered; and to those sent into the vineyard subsequently he promises, "Whatsoever is just, that shall ye receive." No service, however humble, no work, however small, no sacrifice, however trifling, will be overlooked, but each will receive the due recompense of the reward.
THE LORD OF THE VINEYARD (verse 15) claims the sovereign right to do what he wills in his own affairs.
THE GOODMAN OF THE HOUSE (verse 11) retains to himself the privilege, the exercise of his goodness and grace, whatever might be thought of his generosity.
SOVEREIGNTY will not be exercised at the expense of JUSTICE or of GRACE; whilst the magnificence of the GRACE is manifested in the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, the recompense for light and temporary affliction and service, will be for the honor of the JUSTICE, and the glory of the SOVEREIGNTY displayed. So, then, if the last are first, and the first last, and some are chosen to especial service, and others chosen to peculiar privilege, all will be alike the subjects of DIVINE JUSTICE, SOVEREIGNTY, and GRACE; and the language of each and all will be, "Not unto us, O Jehovah, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy loving kindness, and for Thy truth's sake!”