Matthew 20
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Commentaries
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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 ↗For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man,.... That is, the Gospel dispensation, or times of the Messiah, may fitly be represented by a man that is an householder, or master of a family, as Christ is; See Gill on Mat 10:25 He is master of the whole family of God, in heaven, and in earth, of all the children of God, and household of faith; his house they are, he is Father and master, son and firstborn, priest and prophet there. Which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard: by "the vineyard" may be meant the church, which, like a vineyard, is separated by electing, redeeming, and calling grace, and by the order and ordinances of the Gospel, from the rest of the world; is set with various vines, with trees of righteousness, with pleasant plants, both fruitful and profitable; and which are dear and valuable to Christ; and about which much care is used to preserve, keep, and improve them. This may be called "his", Christ's, being what he has chosen for himself, his Father has given him, and he is heir of; which he has purchased with his blood, and which he plants, waters, takes care of, and enjoys. The "labourers" design either the ministers of the Gospel, who labour in the word and doctrine, who are, or at least ought to be, labourers in Christ's vineyard, and not loiterers; whose work in study, meditation, and prayer, in the ministration of the word and ordinances, and in performing other services they are called unto, is very laborious; and made more so, through the wickedness of some, and weakness of others: the employment of these labourers in the vineyard is various; the business of some is to plant; they are chiefly made use of in conversion: the work of others is to water; these are instruments in edification, and means of the growth of…
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 ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… βασιλεία (basileía, G932) — properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or… οὐρανός (ouranós, G3772) — the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power,… ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are ὅμοιος (hómoios, G3664) — similar (in appearance or character) ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being οἰκοδεσπότης (oikodespótēs, G3617) — the head of a family ὅστις (hóstis, G3748) — which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai, G1831) — to issue (literally or figuratively) ἅμα (háma, G260) — properly, at the "same" time, but freely used as a preposition or adverb denoting close… πρωΐ (prōḯ, G4404) — at dawn; by implication, the day-break watch μισθόω (misthóō, G3409) — to let out for wages, i.e. (middle voice) to hire ἐργάτης (ergátēs, G2040) — a toiler; figuratively, a teacher εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. συμφωνέω (symphōnéō, G4856) — to be harmonious, i.e. (figuratively) to accord (be suitable, concur) or stipulate (by… μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… ἐργάτης (ergátēs, G2040) — a toiler; figuratively, a teacher ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) δηνάριον (dēnárion, G1220) — a denarius (or ten asses) ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… ἀποστέλλω (apostéllō, G649) — set apart, i.e. (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἀμπελών (ampelṓn, G290) — a vineyard
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai, G1831) — to issue (literally or figuratively) περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… τρίτος (trítos, G5154) — third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly ὥρα (hṓra, G5610) — an "hour" (literally or figuratively) εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… ἄλλος (állos, G243) — "else," i.e. different (in many applications) ἵστημι (hístēmi, G2476) — to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or… ἀργός (argós, G692) — inactive, i.e. unemployed; (by implication) lazy, useless ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἀγορά (agorá, G58) — probably akin to G1453 (ἐγείρω)); properly, the town-square (as a place of public…
Open source ↗ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) κἀκεῖνος (kakeînos, G2548) — likewise that (or those) ὑπάγω (hypágō, G5217) — to lead (oneself) under, i.e. withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally… ὑμεῖς (hymeîs, G5210) — you (as subjective of verb) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἀμπελών (ampelṓn, G290) — a vineyard ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἐάν (eán, G1437) — a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other… ὦ (ō, G5600) — (may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with G1487 (εἰ) and its… δίκαιος (díkaios, G1342) — equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively) δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc.
Open source ↗πάλιν (pálin, G3825) — (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally)… ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai, G1831) — to issue (literally or figuratively) περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… ἕκτος (héktos, G1623) — sixth καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἔννατος (énnatos, G1766) — ninth ὥρα (hṓra, G5610) — an "hour" (literally or figuratively) ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) ὡσαύτως (hōsaútōs, G5615) — as thus, i.e. in the same way
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… ἑνδέκατος (hendékatos, G1734) — eleventh ὥρα (hṓra, G5610) — an "hour" (literally or figuratively) ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai, G1831) — to issue (literally or figuratively) εὑρίσκω (heurískō, G2147) — to find (literally or figuratively) ἄλλος (állos, G243) — "else," i.e. different (in many applications) ἵστημι (hístēmi, G2476) — to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or… ἀργός (argós, G692) — inactive, i.e. unemployed; (by implication) lazy, useless καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ὧδε (hōde, G5602) — in this same spot, i.e. here or hither
Open source ↗λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing μισθόω (misthóō, G3409) — to let out for wages, i.e. (middle voice) to hire ἡμᾶς (hēmâs, G2248) — us ὑπάγω (hypágō, G5217) — to lead (oneself) under, i.e. withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally… ὑμεῖς (hymeîs, G5210) — you (as subjective of verb) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἀμπελών (ampelṓn, G290) — a vineyard ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἐάν (eán, G1437) — a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other… ὦ (ō, G5600) — (may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with G1487 (εἰ) and its…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ὄψιος (ópsios, G3798) — late; feminine (as noun) afternoon (early eve) or nightfall (later eve) γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ἀμπελών (ampelṓn, G290) — a vineyard λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἐπίτροπος (epítropos, G2012) — a commissioner, i.e. domestic manager, guardian καλέω (kaléō, G2564) — to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) ἐργάτης (ergátēs, G2040) — a toiler; figuratively, a teacher καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀποδίδωμι (apodídōmi, G591) — to give away, i.e. up, over, back, etc. (in various applications) μισθός (misthós, G3408) — pay for service (literally or figuratively), good or bad ἄρχομαι (árchomai, G756) — to commence (in order of time)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… ἑνδέκατος (hendékatos, G1734) — eleventh ὥρα (hṓra, G5610) — an "hour" (literally or figuratively) λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) ἀνά (aná, G303) — properly, up; but (by extension) used (distributively) severally, or (locally) at (etc.) δηνάριον (dēnárion, G1220) — a denarius (or ten asses)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πρῶτος (prōtos, G4413) — foremost (in time, place, order or importance) ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) νομίζω (nomízō, G3543) — properly, to do by law (usage), i.e. to accustom (passively, be usual); by extension, to… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) πλείων (pleíōn, G4119) — more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀνά (aná, G303) — properly, up; but (by extension) used (distributively) severally, or (locally) at (etc.) δηνάριον (dēnárion, G1220) — a denarius (or ten asses)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) γογγύζω (gongýzō, G1111) — to grumble κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… οἰκοδεσπότης (oikodespótēs, G3617) — the head of a family
Open source ↗ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… οὗτος (hoûtos, G3778) — the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated) ἔσχατος (éschatos, G2078) — farthest, final (of place or time) ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) μία (mía, G3391) — one or first ὥρα (hṓra, G5610) — an "hour" (literally or figuratively) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἴσος (ísos, G2470) — similar (in amount and kind) ἡμῖν (hēmîn, G2254) — to (or for, with, by) us ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) βαστάζω (bastázō, G941) — to lift, literally or figuratively (endure, declare, sustain, receive, etc.) βάρος (báros, G922) — compare G899 (βάθος)); weight; in the New Testament only, figuratively, a load,…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrínomai, G611) — to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H06030)… εἷς (heîs, G1520) — one αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) ἑταῖρος (hetaîros, G2083) — a comrade ἀδικέω (adikéō, G91) — to be unjust, i.e. (actively) do wrong (morally, socially or physically) σέ (sé, G4571) — thee οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not συμφωνέω (symphōnéō, G4856) — to be harmonious, i.e. (figuratively) to accord (be suitable, concur) or stipulate (by… οὐχί (ouchí, G3780) — not indeed μοί (moí, G3427) — to me δηνάριον (dēnárion, G1220) — a denarius (or ten asses)
Open source ↗αἴρω (aírō, G142) — to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep… σός (sós, G4674) — thine καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὑπάγω (hypágō, G5217) — to lead (oneself) under, i.e. withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally… δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. θέλω (thélō, G2309) — to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 (βούλομαι)… δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… τούτῳ (toútōi, G5129) — to (in, with or by) this (person or thing) ἔσχατος (éschatos, G2078) — farthest, final (of place or time) ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) σοί (soí, G4671) — to thee
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.”