Scripture:
Matthew 20:1-16 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
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 to hire workers for his vineyard. (A) 2 After agreeing with the workers on one denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine in the morning, [a] he saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 To those men he said, 'You also go to my vineyard, and I'll give you whatever is right.' So off they went. 5 About noon and at three, [b] he went out again and did the same thing. 6 Then about five [c] he went and found others standing around, [d] 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 to my vineyard,' he told them. [e] 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard told his foreman, 'Call the workers and give them their pay, (B) starting with the last and ending with the first.' [f]
9 "When those who were hired about five [g] 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 and the burning heat! (C) '
13 "He replied to one of them, 'Friend, I'm doing you no wrong. Didn't you agree with me on a denarius? (D) 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 my business? [h] Are you jealous [i] because I'm generous? (E) ' [j]
16 "So the last will be first, and the first last." (F) [k]
Footnotes:
Matthew 20:3 Lit about the third hour
Matthew 20:5 Lit about the sixth hour and the ninth hour
Matthew 20:6 Lit about the eleventh hour
Matthew 20:6 Other mss add doing nothing
Matthew 20:7 Other mss add &ls;and you'll get whatever is right.'
Matthew 20:8 Lit starting from the last until the first
Matthew 20:9 Lit about the eleventh hour
Matthew 20:15 Lit with what is mine
Matthew 20:15 Lit Is your eye evil; an idiom for jealousy or stinginess
Matthew 20:15 Lit good
Matthew 20:16 Other mss add For many are called, but few are chosen.
Cross references:
Matthew 20:1 : Mt 13:24; 21:28;, 33;
Matthew 20:8 : Lv 19:13; Dt 24:15;
Matthew 20:12 : Jnh 4:8; Lk 12:55; Jms 1:11;
Matthew 20:13 : Mt 22:12; 26:50;
Matthew 20:15 : Dt 15:9; Pr 23:6; Mt 6:23; Mk 7:22;
Matthew 20:16 : Mt 19:30; Mk 10:31; Lk 13:30;
Reflection:
What can work and wages, wefare and the unemployed tell us about the kingdom of God? In the parable of the laborers in the vineyard we see the extraordinary generosity and compassion of God. There is great tragedy in unemployment. In Jesus' times hired laborers had to wait each day in the marketplace until someone hired them for a day's job. No work that day usually meant no food on the family table. The laborers who worked all day and received their payment complain that the master pays the late afternoon laborers the same wage. The master, undoubtably, hired them in the late afternoon so they wouldn't go home payless and hungry. God is generous in opening the doors of his kingdom to all who will enter, both those who have labored a life-time for him and those who come at the last hour. While the reward is the same, the motive for one's labor can make all the difference. Some work only for reward. They will only put as much effort in as they think they will get out. Others labor out of love and joy for the opportunity to work. The Lord calls his disciples to serve God and neighbor with generosity and joy. Do you perform your work and duties with cheerfulness for the Lord's sake? And do you give generously to others, especially to those in need?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, may I serve you and my neighbor with a glad and generous heart, not looking for how much I can get but rather looking for how much I can give.
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