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.”
2 And 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 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
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 And when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius.
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.
17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them,
18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death.
19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”
20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something.
21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.”
22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.”
23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers.
25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave—
28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him.
30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”
31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”
32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?”
33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.”
34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.
The True Meaning of Matthew 20
The Gospel of Matthew was written by the apostle Matthew, also known as Levi, who was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. Matthew, a former tax collector, had a unique perspective on the teachings and ministry of Jesus. Jesus illustrates the kingdom of heaven and the concept of grace in the parable of the workers in the vineyard, which we witness in this chapter. We also see the third prediction of Jesus’ impending death and resurrection, as well as the request of the mother of James and John for her sons to have prominent positions in Jesus’ kingdom.
The parable of the workers in the vineyard echoes the message found in the book of Jonah, where God’s grace extends to all who respond to His call, regardless of when they do so. This theme of God’s impartiality and the equal value He places on all who come to Him is further reinforced in the book of Acts, where the gospel is proclaimed to both Jews and Gentiles.
The prediction of Jesus’ death and resurrection, which is the third time He has shared this with His disciples, serves as a sobering reminder of the sacrifice He will make for the salvation of humanity. This foreshadows the events that will unfold in the coming chapters, leading to the crucifixion and the glorious resurrection of our Lord.
Matthew 20:1-16
The parable of the Workers in the Vineyard is presented in Matthew 20:1-16. This parable begins by describing a landowner who hired laborers at different times throughout the day to work in his vineyard. The landowner agreed to pay a denarius, which was a day’s wage, to those he hired. The first workers were hired early in the morning, and subsequent workers were hired at different intervals during the day, even up to the eleventh hour.
The first significant section of this passage is the hiring of the workers in the vineyard. This act serves as the foundation for the parable’s story. It highlights the generosity and fairness of the landowner as he continues to invite more workers to join in the labor throughout the day, showing his desire to provide for those in need of work. This demonstrates God’s grace and willingness to welcome and offer salvation to all who come to Him, regardless of when they turn to Him.
The subsequent section deals with the payment of the workers. When it comes time to pay the laborers at the end of the day, those who were hired last received a full day’s wage, much to the surprise of those who worked all day. The workers who were hired early expected to receive more than those who were hired later in the day. The landowner’s response to the workers’ complaints is crucial in this parable. He reminds them that they agreed to work for a denarius and that he has the right to do what he wishes with his own money. This emphasizes the principle of God’s sovereignty and His freedom to show mercy and grace according to His own will, not based on human standards of fairness or merit.
This parable teaches us about God’s grace and the Kingdom of Heaven. It challenges our notions of fairness and merit, showing that God’s grace is freely given to all who believe in Him, regardless of their past or the timing of their faith. It reminds us that salvation is a gift from God and not something we can earn through our works. This message is consistent with other biblical teachings, such as Ephesians 2:8-9, which emphasizes that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, so that no one can boast. The parable of the Workers in the Vineyard serves as a powerful reminder of God’s generosity and grace towards all who come to Him. It challenges us to reexamine our attitudes towards others and our understanding of God’s unconditional love and mercy. It encourages us to have a humble and grateful heart, recognizing that we are all equally in need of God’s salvation and that His grace is available to all who believe in Him.
Matthew 20:17-19
Jesus foretells His crucifixion and resurrection to His disciples in Matthew 20:17-19. This section of the passage is crucial in understanding the sacrifice that Jesus was about to make for humanity. Jesus reveals to His disciples that they were going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man would be delivered over to the chief priests and teachers of the law. Here, Jesus is predicting the events that would lead to His death on the cross.
This prophecy by Jesus underscores His divine knowledge and foretells the crucial and redemptive purpose of His earthly ministry. Jesus knew the suffering and ultimate sacrifice that lay before Him, yet He willingly chose to endure it for the sake of humanity’s salvation. This act of sacrifice and selflessness is a central theme in the message of the Gospel, emphasizing the love of God for His people. Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem was a path of obedience to fulfill the will of God, knowing the suffering and death that awaited Him.
This passage also highlights the rejection Jesus would face from the religious authorities of that time. The chief priests and teachers of the law, who were supposed to be custodians of religious knowledge and leaders of the community, were the ones who would ultimately conspire to have Jesus crucified. This rejection serves as a stark reminder of the spiritual blindness and hardened hearts that can come from self-righteousness and a lack of humility before God.
Furthermore, Jesus does not only prophesy His crucifixion but He also foretells His resurrection on the third day. This resurrection is a pivotal event in the Christian faith as it demonstrates the power of God over sin and death. Through His resurrection, Jesus conquered the grave and provided the ultimate hope for all believers in the promise of eternal life. This victorious resurrection solidifies Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and the fulfillment of the prophecies in the Old Testament regarding the Messiah.
The significance of Jesus’ prophecy of His death and resurrection is further emphasized in other parts of the New Testament, such as in Mark 10:32-34 and Luke 18:31-33, where similar accounts are shared. These passages collectively emphasize Jesus’ foreknowledge of the events that would unfold, his voluntary acceptance of the suffering ahead, and the ultimate triumph of His resurrection. This foreshadowing not only prepares the disciples for the impending events but also serves as a testament to the divine plan of salvation that was unfolding through Jesus’ sacrifice.
Matthew 20:20-28
The mother of James and John, Zebedee’s sons, approaches Jesus with a request in a powerful and instructive passage in the Bible found in Matthew 20:20-28. This request is for her sons to sit at Jesus’ right and left hand in His kingdom. This plea indicates a desire for power, authority, and perhaps a misunderstanding of the nature of Christ’s kingdom. It’s crucial to note that this incident occurs right after Jesus predicted His death and resurrection for the third time, emphasizing the sacrificial nature of His mission on earth.
The section starts with the mother of Zebedee’s sons coming to Jesus, kneeling before Him, and making this request. It is essential to understand the cultural significance of a request like this. Seating arrangements in ancient societies indicated status, honor, and authority. The mother reveals a worldly understanding of power and authority by asking for her sons to occupy such esteemed positions. However, Jesus responds with a gentle rebuke, indicating that such positions are not His to grant but are for those whom the Father has prepared.
Jesus takes this opportunity to teach a fundamental principle of His kingdom – the nature of true leadership through service. He contrasts the worldly definition of greatness, characterized by power and control, with the godly definition, which involves humility and service. Jesus, as the ultimate example of servant leadership, states that, “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – 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.” This exemplifies Jesus’ own mission on earth – to serve humanity by offering His life as a ransom for sin. Jesus challenges His disciples then and now to reassess their understanding of power and authority by emphasizing the concept of servant leadership. This passage reminds Christians that true greatness lies in humble service to others. It echoes sentiments expressed elsewhere in the Bible, such as Philippians 2:3-8, where Paul urges believers to have the same mindset as Christ, who humbled Himself and took on the form of a servant.
The story of James and John seeking positions of authority alongside their mother’s request gives us insight into the struggles and misconceptions even Jesus’ closest disciples had about His kingdom. Through Jesus’ response, we see His patience in teaching and redirecting their ambitions towards a more profound understanding of His mission and the essence of true discipleship. Christians should emulate Jesus’ example of servant leadership, prioritize serving others over seeking positions of power, and embrace humility and selflessness in our interactions with one another, as Matthew 20:20-28 serves as a timeless reminder. It challenges us to examine our motives, ambitions, and attitudes towards leadership and authority, calling us to follow Christ’s model of sacrificial love and service.
Matthew 20:29-34
We encounter a poignant moment in the ministry of Jesus in Matthew 20:29-34. The passage begins with two blind men sitting by the roadside, whom upon hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The title “Son of David” was a Messianic title, signifying that the blind men recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah. This declaration by the blind men is significant as it reveals their faith in Jesus, acknowledging Him as the one who can offer them mercy and healing.
The response of the crowd around Jesus was to rebuke the blind men and tell them to be silent. This reaction may have stemmed from societal attitudes of the time that marginalized the disabled or considered them unworthy of the attention of a revered figure like Jesus. However, the blind men persisted in their cries for mercy, displaying a persistence and faith that we should all seek to emulate in our own lives. This challenges us to be bold in seeking the Lord’s mercy and not be deterred by societal norms or hindrances in our pursuit of His grace.
Jesus, in His infinite compassion, stopped and called the blind men to him. He asked them a simple yet profound question, “What do you want me to do for you? Jesus gave the blind men agency in expressing their desires and needs by posing this question. This interaction is a powerful reminder that Jesus is attentive to our individual needs and is willing to respond to our specific requests if we approach Him in faith and humility. It emphasizes the importance of articulating our needs to God in prayer, knowing that He cares for us deeply.
Upon hearing the blind men’s plea for sight, Jesus touched their eyes and healed them, saying, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” This statement underscores the crucial role that faith plays in receiving God’s blessings. It echoes similar instances in the Gospels where Jesus commends individuals for their faith, emphasizing that belief in His power and willingness to act is essential for miracles to occur. The healing of the blind men serves as a testament to Jesus’ authority and compassion, illustrating His desire to restore and transform lives through acts of mercy. The passage concludes with a powerful statement that glorifies God as the blind men received their sight and followed Jesus. The miraculous healing of the blind men elicited praise from all those who witnessed it, giving glory to the God of Israel. This response highlights the transformative impact of encountering Jesus and experiencing His healing power, leading to a recognition of God’s sovereignty and goodness. It serves as a reminder that our encounters with Jesus should result in praise and glorification of God, inspiring others to acknowledge His greatness and magnify His name. The story of the blind men in Matthew 20:29-34 conveys timeless messages about faith, persistence, compassion, and the transformative power of encountering Jesus. It challenges us to approach God with boldness, express our needs in prayer, believe in His ability to work miracles, and give Him the glory for His wondrous deeds. Just as the blind men received physical sight through their faith, may we also seek spiritual vision and insight through our unwavering trust in Jesus, the Son of David and the Savior of the world.
After Matthew 20
The parable of the workers in the vineyard had revealed the true nature of God’s kingdom. It was not about earning one’s way, but about the grace and generosity of the landowner. The disciples pondered these profound truths as they continued their journey with Jesus, unaware of the trials that lay ahead. Little did they know that their faith would soon be tested in ways they could scarcely imagine. The road to Jerusalem would prove to be a challenging one, filled with both triumph and tragedy. Yet, through it all, the disciples would come to a deeper understanding of the Messiah they had chosen to follow.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.