Scripture reading – Matthew 20
The story of the farmer who hired day laborers for his vineyard is among my favorite parables (Matthew 20:1-16). Jesus conveyed the parable as He made His final journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. (Matthew 19:1; 20:17).
Background of Matthew 20
Traveling south along the eastern shore of the Jordan River, Jesus encountered a man that Luke identified as a “rich young ruler” (Luke 18:18). An influential leader in his region, the wealthy young man came to Jesus and asked, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16)
He boasted he kept all the Commandments but supposed there was a “good thing” he might do to have eternal life (Matthew 19:20). Then, Jesus asked the man to give up the thing he loved most, his possessions: “Sell that thou hast, and give to the poor…and come follow me” (Matthew 19:21). Matthew observed, “When the young man heard [i.e., understood] that saying, he went away sorrowful [grieving; sad]: for he had great possessions [estate; property]” (Matthew 19:22).
As the rich man walked away, Jesus declared to His disciples, “That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:23). Peter, often the spokesman for the disciples, inquired of Jesus, “Behold we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” (Matthew 19:27)
The Twelve had left everything and endured three years of sacrifice to follow Jesus. They forfeited their homes, families, and friends. They endured hardships and suffered scorn and persecution. All this left Peter wondering, “LORD, we have been with you from the beginning; what is our reward?”
That question is the backdrop for the Parable of the Laborers (Matthew 20:1-16), which illustrates God’s grace and justice.
The Parable of the Laborers (Matthew 20:1-16)
The owner of a vineyard realized his harvest was greater than his family, and servants could harvest promptly. In the parable (Matthew 20:1-16), the farmer went into the village on five occasions in the same day to hire men to work in his vineyard. The first workers were employed at the 6:00 am shift (Matthew 20:1-2) and agreed to work in the vineyard for a “penny a day” (one penny or “denarii,” was the day salary of a Roman soldier and a large sum for a day laborer). Four additional hires followed that day: 9:00 am, 12 Noon, 3:00 pm, and the final hire at 5:00 pm. All were hired without a stated salary but with the promise the vineyard owner would give them “whatsoever is right” (Matthew 20:4, 7).
With 6:00 pm marking the end of the workday, the owner directed his foreman to pay the laborers, beginning with those who were hired at 5:00 pm (the last hour of the day, Matthew 20:8). To their amazement, they were paid the same wage (a penny or denarii) as those who labored all day beginning at the 6:00 am hour.
Demonstrating the jealousy and covetousness that abides in the heart of man, the men who negotiated a penny wage at 6:00 am “supposed that they should have received more” (Matthew 20:10). Envious and resentful, the workers murmured and complained against the owner of the vineyard, and accused him of being unjust. They protested they should have received more (Matthew 20:11-12).
The Interpretation and A Lesson in Grace and Salvation (Matthew 20:13-16)
The owner of the vineyard (serving as a picture of Christ) rebuked the workers who labored all day (a picture of the Twelve) and reminded them they negotiated and agreed to what they were paid (Matthew 20:13-14). Furthermore, it was the owner’s right, not the workers, to choose the wage other laborers were paid (Matthew 20:15).
Closing thoughts –
Application – Whether a sinner comes to Christ as a child or like the penitent thief on the cross in his last hour, every believer is assured of heaven and eternal life (Matthew 20:16). Why? Because sinners are saved by God’s grace alone, and none can earn or merit salvation and forgiveness of sin.
Whether you accepted Christ as a child and served Him since childhood, or you came to saving faith late in life, believers are saved on the same basis: God’s mercy and grace.
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Titus 3:5 – “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
Copyright © 2024 – Travis D. Smith
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