Matthew 20

Jesus has been mentally preparing himself and his disciples for the cross since 16:21, but now he begins his journey toward Jerusalem, where he will arrive in triumph in Matthew 21.

He knows that the real triumph will come after crossing the valley of death. This is what he has already told his disciples twice (16:21; 17:22–23) and alluded to other times (e.g., 17:9, 12), and he will again announce this clearly in 20:17–19.1

The events of Matthew 19–20 take place during Jesus’ journey toward the cross at Jerusalem.

Humility continues to be a key theme throughout these two chapters—a theme already established in Matthew 18, and culminating in the king’s humble means of transportation into Jerusalem (21:5)

The Parable Of The Vineyard Workers Matthew 20:1-16

Matthew 20:1–16 CSB

1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the workers on one denarius, he sent them into his vineyard for the day. 3 When he went out about nine in the morning, he saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He said to them, ‘You also go into my vineyard, and I’ll give you whatever is right.’ So off they went. 5 About noon and about three, he went out again and did the same thing. 6 Then about five he went and found others standing around and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day doing nothing?’ 7 “ ‘Because no one hired us,’ they said to him. “ ‘You also go into my vineyard,’ he told them. 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard told his foreman, ‘Call the workers and give them their pay, starting with the last and ending with the first.’ 9 “When those who were hired about five came, they each received one denarius. 10 So when the first ones came, they assumed they would get more, but they also received a denarius each. 11 When they received it, they began to complain to the landowner: 12 ‘These last men put in one hour, and you made them equal to us who bore the burden of the day’s work and the burning heat.’ 13 “He replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I’m doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me on a denarius? 14 Take what’s yours and go. I want to give this last man the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with what is mine? Are you jealous because I’m generous?’ 16 “So the last will be first, and the first last.”

Matthew 20:1–8 CSB

1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the workers on one denarius, he sent them into his vineyard for the day. 3 When he went out about nine in the morning, he saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He said to them, ‘You also go into my vineyard, and I’ll give you whatever is right.’ So off they went. 5 About noon and about three, he went out again and did the same thing. 6 Then about five he went and found others standing around and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day doing nothing?’ 7 “ ‘Because no one hired us,’ they said to him. “ ‘You also go into my vineyard,’ he told them. 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard told his foreman, ‘Call the workers and give them their pay, starting with the last and ending with the first.’

Went out!

Inviting!

Each group AGREES to work for the standard daily wage.

Matthew 20:9–15 CSB

9 “When those who were hired about five came, they each received one denarius. 10 So when the first ones came, they assumed they would get more, but they also received a denarius each. 11 When they received it, they began to complain to the landowner: 12 ‘These last men put in one hour, and you made them equal to us who bore the burden of the day’s work and the burning heat.’ 13 “He replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I’m doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me on a denarius? 14 Take what’s yours and go. I want to give this last man the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with what is mine? Are you jealous because I’m generous?’

The world teaches us to earn success, look out for ourselves, and take the credit. That attitude can enter our faith, making us think we can earn God’s favor through spiritual accomplishments.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON GOD’S GRACE NOT SOMEONE ELSE’S BLESSING

We do not earn His grace; we receive it with gratitude.

The workers “assumed they would get more.” The landowner’s promise had not changed—they simply started comparing themselves to others.

As C. S. Lewis said, “It is the comparison that makes you proud.”

Application: You may be content with your house, paycheck, marriage, job, ministry, or life—until you start looking at someone else’s.

Stop comparing and keeping score. Ask yourself: Where am I resenting God’s generosity toward someone else?

Matthew 20:16 CSB

16 “So the last will be first, and the first last.”

Point: God’s generosity is more abundant than anyone would expect. Jesus is probably also warning his early followers that they should not despise those who come later.

Application: Examine your heart for envy when others receive God’s blessing. Release your grip on what you believe you’ve “earned.”

THE THIRD PREDICTION OF HIS DEATH Matthew20:17-19

Matthew 20:17–19 CSB

17 While going up to Jerusalem, Jesus took the twelve disciples aside privately and said to them on the way, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death. 19 They will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged, and crucified, and on the third day he will be raised.”

TRUE GREATNESS IS MEASURED BY SACRIFICE NOT SELF PRESERVATION

Jesus knew He would be betrayed, condemned, mocked, beaten, and crucified—yet He kept walking toward Jerusalem.

The cross was not an accident. Jesus willingly gave Himself for us. But death would not win: “On the third day he will be raised.”

Application: Following Jesus sometimes requires giving up comfort to serve Him and others.

Ask yourself: Where is God calling me to sacrifice my comfort for His kingdom?

SUFFERING AND SERVICE Matthew 20:20-28

Matthew 20:20–23 CSB

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons approached him with her sons. She knelt down to ask him for something. 21 “What do you want?” he asked her. “Promise,” she said to him, “that these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right and the other on your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” “We are able,” they said to him. 23 He told them, “You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right and left is not mine to give; instead, it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”

Jesus is talking about sacrifice, but they are thinking about status.

We do the same thing:

Who notices me? Who appreciates me? Why did they get recognized?

Matthew 20:24–28 CSB

24 When the ten disciples heard this, they became indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. 26 It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

IT MUST NOT BE LIKE THAT AMONG YOU

The disciples thought greatness meant rank, status, and power.

Jesus corrected them:

“It must not be like that among you.”

The world says, “People serve me.” Jesus says, “I serve people.”

True greatness is not standing above others. It is humbly serving them.

Application:

Redefine success.

Stop comparing positions and start serving people.

Ask yourself: Who can I serve sacrificially this week—especially someone I might normally overlook?

TWO BLIND MEN HEALED Matthew 20:29-34

Matthew 20:29–34 CSB

29 As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 There were two blind men sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd demanded that they keep quiet, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 Jesus stopped, called them, and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 “Lord,” they said to him, “open our eyes.” 34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they could see, and they followed him.

TRUE GREATNESS MAKES TIME FOR PEOPLE IN NEED

Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem and the cross, yet “Jesus stopped.”

He saw two blind men whom others overlooked and was moved with compassion. Jesus gave them sight, and they followed Him.

Application: Do not let your agenda keep you from seeing hurting people. Be willing to stop and serve someone others might overlook.

Ask yourself: Who needs me to stop and show them the compassion of Jesus?

JESUS GAVE IT ALL TO SERVE US! WE MUST BE WILLING TO SERVE OTHERS!

Stop comparing. Give sacrificially. Serve humbly. Show compassion.

Philippians 2:3–5 CSB

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. 5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,

Application: Stop asking, “What do I deserve?” or “Who will serve me?”

Instead ask, “Who can I serve like Jesus?”