Nov. 9, Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, Matthew 20:1-16
The context of this parable is important to understanding its meaning. The phrase that concludes the parable, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last” (16), is nearly the same phrase that introduces the parable. Jesus had just watched the rich young ruler depart sadly because his riches prevented him from following Jesus. Jesus then speaks about how hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
After a discussion about rewards for those who had, unlike the rich young ruler, left all to follow Him, Jesus says, “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first” (19:30). With this thought in mind, Jesus tells the parable about workers hired at the last hour being paid the same as those who worked all day long.
When reading this parable, the discussion usually goes to death-bed conversions or people who waited until late in life to trust Christ as Savior. This may be a valid interpretation. Whether you accept Christ at age 5 or at age 95, you are equally saved and have the gift of eternal salvation. God is gracious. We are saved by grace, the gift of God, not by our works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
There is some similarity between this parable and the parable of the two sons found in the next chapter, Matthew 21:28-32. The workers in the vineyard thought like the chief priests and teachers that they were earning God’s love by their good works. To Christians or religious persons who think they are better than other folks, these parables remind us that salvation is the free gift of God to all who repent of their sins and trust Jesus Christ. (Romans 6:23).
1“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went.
“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’
7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.
“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’
8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’
9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’
13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”—Matthew 20:1-16
Another way to view this parable might be this way. When the landowner says, "Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?" it might be God telling to us that we should be content with the blessings He gives us and to not covet others' blessings. Instead, we should rejoice with them.
ReplyDeleteMatt
I like the idea Matt. Another verse that comes to mind is John 21:21-22. After Peter was re-instated as a disciple and told how he would die, he asks Jesus what will happen to John. Jesus replied in a way similar to what Matt said. We should not worry about another's blessings but live our own life.
ReplyDelete"21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me" (John 21:21-22)
When we think we know what God is going to do we are putting Him in a box. God is all powerful.
ReplyDeleteI like the first commentary. I think the parable speaks to the truth of God's grace and desire to bless and reward all those who respond to His call to follow Christ and genuinely commit their lives to Him.
ReplyDeleteHe doesn't love us sparingly, or only as we may seemingly have earned, or according to seniority, position, or age. Our human concept of giving love can often be limited to what we think others deserve. God's love is more perfect and can't be measured. I also think of the Prodigal Son's brother when I read this. He was resentful that his father loved his brother so much - and did not understand the celebration of his brother's repentance.
For him, it was all about works.