Laborers in the Vineyard Parable of Laborers in the Vineyard Matthew 20:1-16

1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day

7 They said to him, 'Because no one hired us 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.' 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.' 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner,

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.' 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? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen."

Difficult Parable “This parable is perhaps harder to interpret than any other which the Savior uttered.” - William Taylor, Parables of our Savior, 104 What exactly is the point of the parable? Is it talking about Jews (first) & Gentiles (last)? Is it talking about those who obey gospel later in life?

Laborers in the Vineyard Parable of Laborers in the Vineyard The Difficulties

The Difficulties Seems strange hire workers at the 11th hour Seems even more strange to pay all workers same The landowner seems “unjust” Some explain – late workers did just as much (yet no indication in text) Some explain – late workers given a silver coin – others gold (yet no indication in text) The difference – in attitude of workers Impossible to find spiritual analogy to all particulars of the parable (who is represented by ___________?) How could those in the Lord’s vineyard (kingdom) complain that others were shown mercy?

Laborers in the Vineyard Parable of Laborers in the Vineyard The Difficulties The Context / Setting

The Context / Setting Discussion with rich young ruler (19:16-22) Not willing to part with riches Discussion with disciples (19:23-26) Peter’s question (19:27) Shows a hireling spirit Greater service & sacrifice – greater reward “In short, the spirit of the hireling spoke in that question, and it is against that spirit that the parable is directed…” R. C. Trench, Notes on the Parables of our Lord, 62

“The parable, therefore, is the exposure of a spirit, rather than the portrait of an individual or the description of a class. It is a story with a purpose, rather than an affair of real life; and that purpose is the condemnation of the hireling disposition which would seek to deal with God on the principle of so much for so much, and would graduate reward in the manner of proportion as we would work a sum in the rule of three.” William Taylor, The Parables of our Savior, 108

The Context / Setting Discussion with rich young ruler (19:16-22) Not willing to part with riches Discussion with disciples (19:23-26) Peter’s question (19:27) Lord’s Response (19:28-30) Will receive: (vv. 28-29) Authority as Apostles (v. 28) More than you sacrifice (v. 29) Eternal life (v. 29) Warning – not more than others (v. 30)

The Parable Sandwiched Between Explanation Made Like Treated Like 19:30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first. “you made them equal to us” (v. 12) The Parable Sandwiched Between Explanation First (thought should receive more) Made Like Treated Like “I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. (v. 14) Last (thought to deserve less) 20:16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.

The Warning! “But take care of working in a mere hireling spirit, and for the sake of what you are to get: for if you do so, great as your service may seem to be, that will make it small in the sight of God; and so, while to outward view you are among the first, you shall ultimately among the last, for many that are first shall be last, and the last first.” William Taylor, Parables of our Savior, 110

Laborers in the Vineyard Parable of Laborers in the Vineyard The Difficulties The Context / Setting The Parable

The Parable Workers hired (vv. 1-7)) Early workers – contracted work (vv. 1-2) Later workers (vv. 3-7) Hired 9 am / 12 pm / 3 pm / 5 pm No contracted – but trusted landowner to do right Workers paid (vv. 8-16) All receive the same (vv. 8-10) Early workers complain (vv. 11-12) Landowner’s response (vv. 13-16)

Laborers in the Vineyard Parable of Laborers in the Vineyard The Difficulties The Context / Setting The Parable The Application

The Application Trust Those who wanted to know – what do get? – They are treated like hirelings. Those who trusted the landowner – he proved himself worthy of their confidence “…the late hired laborers did their work in faith, not knowing what they were to get, but sure that they would not get less than they deserved” ( Marcus Dods). Point: urge Peter – rather than selfishly bargain about what you get – humbly serve the Lord and trust that he will do what is right!

Hireling Trusting Wonders if the Lord Will remember What he has done Knows he will Get more than He Deserves!

The Application Trust Hired to work Vineyard (kingdom) is a place of labor! Work to be done! Service to do! Why stand idle all the day?

The Application Trust Hired to work Reason we serve / obey Peter’s question – for what I get out of it We do what we should to: Go to heaven Not lose soul – in hell What if those were not affected – care little about pleasing God – serving him?

Laborers in the Vineyard Parable of Laborers in the Vineyard The Difficulties The Context / Setting The Parable The Application