The Parable of the Vineyard Workers

Matthew 20:1-16 New King James Version

Jesus tells the Parable of the Vineyard Workers in response to Peter’s question like the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew 18. In Matthew 13 Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables to communicate truth to those who were interested but now Jesus tells parables to help His disciples understand the lesson He is teaching them.

1. The Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19:16-22)

2. “It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:23-26)

3. Peter: “What shall we have?” (Matthew 19:27-30)

a. Matthew 19:27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”

b. Matthew 19:28 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.

c. Matthew 19:29 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.

d. Matthew 19:30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

The Parable of the Vineyard Workers

Matthew 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning [6 am] to hire laborers for his vineyard.

· This would have been a common scene played out every day at this time.

· Vineyards were common in Israel; Jesus tells three parables about vineyards.

· Day laborers would typically work 12 hour days (6am-6pm; sunrise to sunset)

Matthew 20:2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

· denarius (coin) n. — a Roman coin called a “denarius” equal to a day’s wage; could be either silver or copper.

Matthew 20:3 And he went out about the third hour [9 am] and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

Matthew 20:4 and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went.

Matthew 20:5 Again he went out about the sixth [12 pm] and the ninth hour [3 pm], and did likewise.

Matthew 20:6 And about the eleventh hour [5 pm] he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here [idle (not on most manuscripts)] all day?’

Matthew 20:7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’

Matthew 20:8 “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’

· Day-laborers were paid each evening after work (Lev 19:13; Deut 24:14–15).[1]

Matthew 20:9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour [5pm], they each received a denarius.

Matthew 20:10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius.

Matthew 20:11 And when they had receivedit, they complained against the landowner,

Matthew 20:12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’

Matthew 20:13 But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?

Matthew 20:14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you.

Matthew 20:15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil [greedy] because I am good [generous]?’

Matthew 20:16 So the last will be first, and the first last. [For many are called, but few chosen (not found in most manuscripts; added from Matthew 22:14)].”

Matthew 19:30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

What we can learn about God from this parable:

1. God is good.

a. Matthew 20:15 I am good.

b. Matthew 19:16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

c. Matthew 19:17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

2. God is just.

a. Matthew 20:4 and said to them [9 am], ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’

b. Matthew 20:7 He said to them [5 pm], ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’

c. Matthew 20:13 But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?

3. God is gracious.

a. Matthew 20:9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour [5pm], they each received a denarius.

b. Matthew 20:14 I wish to give to this last man the same as to you.

What we can learn about ourselves from this parable:

1. Am I entitled?

a. Matthew 20:10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius.

b. Matthew 20:11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner,

c. Matthew 20:12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’

2. Am I envious?

a. Matthew 20:15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil [greedy] because I am good [generous]?’

3. Am I equal?

a. Matthew 20:8 “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’

b. Matthew 20:9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour [5pm], they each received a denarius.

i. Those hired last were:

1. the least deserving – they had worked the least

2. the least desirable – they were passed over and not chosen by other employers throughout the day.

a. None of us are deserving of God’s grace and none of us are desirable by God’s holy standards.

i. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

ii. The emphasis of the parable is on the landowner giving (vv. 4, 14 (the landowner’s first and last spoken words)) and the workers receiving (vv.7, 9, 10, 11).

1. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

2. Ephesians 2:9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

[1] France, R. T. (2007). The Gospel of Matthew (p. 750). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co.