The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard – Matthew 20:1-16
– Daniel R. Vess
The background to this parable is found in the previous chapter. Matthew twenty and verse one begins with “for” showing that this chapter is connected with the preceding. A rich young ruler came to Jesus wanting to know what he needed to do in order to obtain eternal life. When Jesus told him to sell all and give to the poor he was very disappointed. He left and as far as is known never became a disciple of Jesus and therefore he may have missed out on eternal life (Matt. 19:16-22). Jesus uses this situation to inform the twelve how difficult it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. In fact, without God’s grace it is impossible (Matt. 19:22-26). “Then Peter answered and said to Him, ‘See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?’” (Matt. 19:27). The rich man gave up nothing and left with nothing. Peter and others gave up everything and wanted to know what they would have in return. What kind of compensation package did Jesus offer for His disciples who gave up all. Like the rich ruler Peter and others have failed to realize that God will repay but it is not based on merit. “So Jesus said to them, ‘Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first’” (Matt. 19:28-30). The regeneration is during the time that Christ in on his throne. This would not take place until the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) when Peter preaches that prophecies is fulfilled and Christ is sitting on the throne of David on the right hand of God. The twelve would indeed give up will at that time be blessed with a commission: “sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel”, also salvation: “receive a hundredfold,” and finally, “inherit eternal life.”Although some have seen a contrast between the Jews and the Gentiles in this parable. The Jews being called first and the Gentiles last. The Gentiles are not mentioned. Neither is this a parable discussing the reward of those who obey the Gospel when they are young verses those who come to Christ at an advanced age. The parable is given to the twelve in response to Peter’s question about what they may receive since they have given up so much from the beginning of the ministry of Jesus.
Jesus uses a very familiar word picture for His parable. Day laborers were very common and an agrarian economy. The grape vineyard represented a large part of Palestine’s agricultural produce. No labor organizations existed to assure fair wages. However, day-laborers were paid a denarius a day. All were paid at the end of each day because most families lived day to day. A denarius was about the size of the U.S. dime and worth about seventeen cents. To with hold a day-laborer his pay was cruel and wicked. The man needed that money to feed his family every day. The Law of Moses commanded, “you shall give him his hire on the day he earns it, before the sun goes down” (Deut. 24:15; Lev. 19:13).
When the grape harvest began there was a great urgency to get the harvest in because ripe grapes cannot wait. The man went five times to the market to hire day-workers. The work days were divided into twelve equal parts and the length of the hour was determined by the length of the day. The last laborers hired were to be paid. In the New Testament is says, “and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor” (1 Cor. 3:8). This would mean that those who worked only one hour would expect just a twelfth of a denarius. The conflict results because they instead receive a denarius like every other worker.
The First Workers
The first workers have a Hireling Heart. Peter had left all and wanted to know what he would get in return. Yet the kingdom of Heaven is not like filling out a time card and turning it in. It is not like a business were so much work merits so much money. They were all day-laborers and no one has the rights of seniority. The workers who came the first hour demanded a contract to work for the day for a denarius. This is what they will receive. Those who work only for the pay they will receive do not really understand the nature of God’s kingdom which is based on obedience that is greatly rewarded with eternal life which cannot be earned (Eph. 2:8-10). Jesus warned against the hireling spirit when He compared the Good Shepherd with the hireling in John 10.
The first workers have Envying Eyes. “A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, and does not consider that poverty will come upon him” (Prov. 28:22). The eye is often used to express envy in the heart. David was envied of King Saul: “Saul eyes David” (1 Sam. 18:9). They are not just jealous of what the others have, they wish them not to have a full denarius. They needed to mind their own business and not eye what others received from a just and fair master. Peter would later look upon John and asked, “‘But Lord, what about this man?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me’” (John 21:21,22). Again, Jesus tells Peter not to eye another but to focus upon following Him which is just what a disciple is to do. Too many saints are people watchers. They need to please God and keep their eye on the goal – the prize of eternal life.
The first workers have Murmuring Mouths. They have no reason to complain. The landowner was fair. To impugn his character with unjust payment is morally wrong. Greek word sumphoneo for “agreed” implies a negotiated contract. The agreed to a denarius and received a denarius for a day of work. They murmured not because He was unjust but because he was merciful to the men who needed a day’s pay to care for their families’ needs. First, they compared themselves to others and next coveted what the others had, and finally they complained to the boss. They are like the elder brother in the parable of the prodigal son. He complained against the mercy of the father because a fatted calf had never been killed for him. He had served the father faithfully for many years. When God rewards His servants for their obedience it is not a matter of merit but of grace. Grace by its very nature is not fair or earned but given in generosity. If the first workers were getting a raw deal it was their own fault. After all, it is the deal they agreed to. They were salaried workers for the day and received the right pay. The reason for the discrepancy in pay has nothing to do with hourly wages. The landowner’s generosity is why all received a denarius. It is not unjust for a man to keep his contract with the first group and bless those in the last group with grace. Every worker received what he needed. Thus, there is no discrepancy between the justice of God and His grace.
The Last Workers
The Last are Given Grace. Notice if the first group had been paid first they would have never known how generous the landowner was to the last group who worked for just an hour. Day-laborers were poor and lived day to day and hand to mouth. By receiving a minimum payment they were able to provide for their family that day. Grace responds to need with unmerited mercy not to a bill for that which has been earned.
The Last have an Appreciative Attitude. The last groups had not agreement for a denarius for the day’s work. They trusted the landowner to be fair. They worked the same as the first group. They were not as blessed to find work at the beginning of the day. Just how appreciative they would be for the grace shown when they are paid a full day’s pay. Better to be a grateful worker and a paid grumbler. Attitude is important when working for the Lord. Remember Jonah who was all just forced to preach to the Ninevites. He obeyed but not out of an attitude of submission. He was later filled with bitter resentment for God’s grace to those to whom he preached. Sometimes the attitude of obedience is more important they the amount of time spent obeying. The attitude of the apostles was not always properly adjusted to the true nature of the kingdom their served. They wanted first place. They wanted reward. Judas wanted riches so he stole and betrayed. When comparing the length of our service to God on earth with the length of our eternal reward in Heaven how can anyone have an attitude of gratitude?
The Last are Called and Chosen. Jesus ends His parable with “so the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen” (Matt. 20:16). Just before the parable begins, we are warned that the first may become the last. Then just as soon as the parable ends we are assured that the last may become first. Jesus uses this parable to assure the disciples that this paradox is true: the first will indeed by last and the last first. Today, all are called by the same Gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14), but not all that are called will make it to Heaven. It is up to us to make our “calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10).