The Laborers in the Vineyard
Matthew 19:23-20:16
Don Caudle
Part of Processing the Parables of Jesus
June 30, 2021

Matthew 19:23-30

[23] And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. [24] Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. [27] Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”
we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have? In response to Peter’s self-seeking and perhaps self-pity, Jesus acknowledges the rewards that his disciples will receive. [28] Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [29] And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

• “receive a hundredfold” >> Those who have given up the god of their lives to follow Jesus will receive abundant reward and will inherit eternal life.
• Eternal life (which is a undeserved gift) is an inheritance, not an earned reward.
• However, his parable in 20:1–15 (Laborers in the Vineyard) will be a subtle rebuke.

[30] But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
• What is Grace?
• Holman Bible Dictionary says it is undeserved

and received from another. When used of divine grace toward mankind, it refers to the undeserved favor of God in providing salvation for those deserving condemnation. In the more specific Christian sense it speaks of the saving activity of God which is manifested in the gift of His Son to die in the place of sinners.

Matthew 20:1-16

[1] “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
• Who inhabits the Kingdom of heaven?

believers
• “vineyard” >> Grapes were one of ancient Israel’s most important crops, and thus Israel was often referred to as the “vine” or “vineyard” of God. “Vineyard” represents the of the kingdom in this world (cf. Matt. 21:28–46).

[2] After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. [3] And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, [4] and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ [5] So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. [6] And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’[7] They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ [8] And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ [9] And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. [10] Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. each of them received a denarius. Surprisingly, the last laborers to be hired are paid a complete denarius, the same as those who had worked all day. [11] And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, [12] saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ [13] But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? [14] Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. [15] Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ [16] So the last will be first, and the first last.”
• A denarius was a typical day’s

for a laborer.
• The was typically divided into four three-hour increments, running from approximately 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
• “Friend, I am doing you no wrong” >> The landowner addresses the worker gently, explaining the of his actions.
• “do you begrudge” >> Literally, “Is your eye evil?” The laborer failed to be thankful for his own wage because he was blinded by his self-interested lack of for his fellow worker
• “So the last will be first, and the first last” >> A disciple of Jesus should not measure his or her by comparing it with the accomplishments and sacrifices of others, but should focus on serving from a heart of gratitude in response to God’s grace.
• Jesus is not denying degrees of reward in heaven but is affirming that God’s generosity is more than anyone would expect: all the laborers except the very first got more than they deserved.
• MacArthur >> “last shall be first … first last” In other words, everyone finishes in a dead heat. No matter how long each of the workers worked, they each received a full day’s wage. Similarly, the thief on the cross will enjoy the full blessings of heaven alongside those who have labored their whole lives for Christ. Such is the grace of God.