Matthew 20:1-16

 It matters little when you accept Jesus, it matters greatly that you do!

God wants no one to perish…no, not one.

Laborers of the 11th hour

Matthew 20:1-16

20 “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.’ 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.”

The parable of the vineyard workers portrays God’s gracious generosity.

 In first-century Palestine, a landowner typically woke early in the morning and went to the marketplace, where day laborers gathered. He would select a few workers to tend his fields or harvest his crops and pay them their wage at the end of the day. In the parable, the owner returns to the marketplace every few hours to hire more workers. As a result of heavy taxation, high debt, and scarce resources, peasants in Jesus’ day were forced to hire themselves out on a daily basis. Only the truly fortunate had more permanent means of employment.

These day laborers probably assumed that they would be paid less because of their late start. The owner adds more workers at midday and midafternoon, even though they will only put in a partial day’s work. The fact that the owner recruited workers this late in the day might indicate the urgency of the harvest. It also shows the desperation of these workers who have been waiting all day for someone to hire them. According to the law, hired workers had to be paid at the end of the day. These workers are paid a full day’s wage —which would have shocked Jesus’ audience. Jesus’ audience probably agreed that the owner was being unfair: Those who worked more should be paid more. By ignoring when the workers started, the owner demonstrates grace—giving some more than they deserve. Faithlife Bible.

The first workers complained that their wages were the same as those who had been hired late in the day. However, the owner had not cheated them; everyone received the agreed-upon sum for his work. The early workers grumbled because they were evil in their outlook; their master, however, was sovereignly generous.

In the context of Matthew, the workers with the contract represent Israel; they had the promises and the covenants. Those without an agreement represent the Gentiles, who would be made equal with the Jewish people when salvation became available to all through faith in Jesus Christ. NKJ Bible.

The direct object of this parable seems to be, to show that though the Jews were first called into the vineyard, at length the gospel should be preached to the Gentiles, and they should be admitted to equal privileges and advantages with the Jews. The parable may also be applied more generally, and shows, 1. That God is debtor to no man. 2. That many who begin last, and promise little in religion, sometimes, by the blessing of God, arrive at a great deal of knowledge, grace, and usefulness. 3. That the recompense of reward will be given to the saints, but not according to the time of their conversion. It describes the state of the visible church, and explains the declaration that the last shall be first, and the first last, in its various references. Matthew Henry Commentary.

Deuteronomy 15:9  Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,’ and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing, and he cry out to the LORD against you, and it become sin among you.

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