Matthew 20:1
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“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
PARABLE OF THE LABORERS IN THE VINEYARD. (Mat. 20:1-16) For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, &c.--The figure of a vineyard, to represent the rearing of souls for heaven, the culture required and provided for that purpose, and the care and pains which God takes in that whole matter, is familiar to every reader of the Bible. (Psa 80:8-16; Isa 5:1-7; Jer 2:21; Luk 20:9-16; Joh 15:1-8). At vintage time, as WEBSTER and WILKINSON remark, labor was scarce, and masters were obliged to be early in the market to secure it. Perhaps the pressing nature of the work of the Gospel, and the comparative paucity of laborers, may be incidentally suggested, Mat 9:37-38. The "laborers," as in Mat 9:38, are first, the official servants of the Church, but after them and along with them all the servants of Christ, whom He has laid under the weightiest obligation to work in His service.
Open source ↗20:1-16 This parable is similar to the parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32). In both, God’s grace is shown to two parties while one grumbles about unjust treatment.
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and caught all kinds of fish.
Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.
equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.
He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour, until all of it was leavened.”
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man planted in his field.
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”