The last shall be first and the first last.
Mat 20:1 "For the Kingdom of the Heavens is like an employer who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard,
Mat 20:2 and having made an agreement with them for a shilling a day, sent them into his vineyard.
Mat 20:3 About nine o'clock he went out and saw others loitering in the market-place.
Mat 20:4 To these also he said, "'You also, go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.'
Mat 20:5 "So they went. Again about twelve, and about three o'clock, he went out and did the same.
Mat 20:6 And going out about five o'clock he found others loitering, and he asked them, "'Why have you been standing here all day long, doing nothing?'
Mat 20:7 "'Because no one has hired us,' they replied. "'You also, go into the vineyard,' he said.
Mat 20:8 "When evening came, the master said to his steward, "'Call the men and pay them their wages. Begin with the last set and finish with the first.'
Mat 20:9 "When those came who had begun at five o'clock, they received a shilling apiece;
Mat 20:10 and when the first came, they expected to get more, but they also each got the shilling.
Mat 20:11 So when they had received it, they grumbled against the employer, saying,
Mat 20:12 "'These who came last have done only one hour's work, and you have put them on a level with us who have worked the whole day and have borne the scorching heat.'
Mat 20:13 "'My friend,' he answered to one of them, 'I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a shilling?
Mat 20:14 Take your money and go. I choose to give this last comer just as much as I give you.
Mat 20:15 Have I not a right to do what I choose with my own property? Or are you envious because I am generous?'
Mat 20:16 "So the last shall be first, and the first last."
Introduction.
This Parable re-enforces what had been taught in the previous chapter speaking of the DANGERS OF RICHES and not to follow after personal gain. Notice that the last shall be first and the first last was taught there and here as well.
Peter and the other disciples had left all to follow Jesus but they must not think that their being first in time would give them a overwhelming advantage. Be aware of the worldly spirit among hard workers and not to think too much about their own position and labours or be displeased with others who are equally rewarded.
God does Not deal with us as with an arithmetical equation concerning our Salvation. Adding the bad deeds and the good ones and putting them in a Balance. This is not Biblical. God gives to all true believers His GRACE - His unmerited Favour and the Blessings of Salvation.
Comments
Mat 20:1 "For the Kingdom of the Heavens is like an employer who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard,
Notes
For links this parable with the previous teaching and gives the reasoning and illustration of what had been taught about those giving up all for the Kingdom of Heaven.
like an employer who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard,
employer or householder or farmer He owned a Vineyard and was hiring workers to work for him. The grapes were ripe and he wanted them harvested.
He went out early at dawn, and hired men and thought of getting a whole day’s work from them.
Mat 20:2 and having made an agreement with them for a shilling a day, sent them into his vineyard.
Notes
made an agreement with them for a shilling a day…. really a denarius a day. This seems to have been the normal pay for a days work.
Mat 20:3 About nine o'clock he went out and saw others loitering in the market-place.
Mat 20:4 To these also he said, "'You also, go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.'
Notes
He went out and hired more workers on the third hour i.e. the third hour after sunup- nine e found men loitering or idle there in the marketplace. They were looking for work but had missed out so far.
he said, "'You also, go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.'
These are the terms of their employment. Ill pay you what is right and fair.
Mat 20:5 "So they went. Again about twelve, and about three o'clock, he went out and did the same.
Notes
At midday and three he did the same.
Mat 20:6 And going out about five o'clock he found others loitering, and he asked them, "'Why have you been standing here all day long, doing nothing?'
Mat 20:7 "'Because no one has hired us,' they replied. "'You also, go into the vineyard,' he said.
Notes
Grapes will not keep indefinitely and he wanted this crop off.
The day was nearly over but he employs these men too. These men must have been desperate for work as they were still there waiting at five o’clock He asks why have you been standing there idle all day long?” No one had hired them was their answer. He directs them into his vineyard too.
Mat 20:8 "When evening came, the master said to his steward, "'Call the men and pay them their wages. Begin with the last set and finish with the first.'
Notes
The day was over and according to the Law workers had to be paid.
Lev 19 :13 and Deut. 24: 15
So the Owner summoned his steward or manager. “Call all the men and pay them their wage”. he said. ‘Begin with the last set and finish with the first.' That was the order he was to pay their wages.
Mat 20:9 "When those came who had begun at five o'clock, they received a shilling apiece; (a denarius) per head.
Notes
They were surprised and grateful. They did not expect this as they had only worked about one hour. This showed the Compassion of the Farmer.
Mat 20:10 and when the first came, they expected to get more, but they also each got the shilling. (a denarius)
Notes
They expected to get more although they had agreed to work for a denarius.
Mat 20:11 So when they had received it, they grumbled against the employer, saying,
Mat 20:12 "'These who came last have done only one hour's work, and you have put them on a level with us who have worked the whole day and have borne the scorching heat.'
Notes
They said they had not been treated fairly as they only got a denarius. They had borne the heat of the day and yet they only got a denarius.
Mat 20:13 "'My friend,' he answered to one of them, 'I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a shilling?
Notes
This argument did not hold water for the farmer as they had agreed to work for a day's wage ,a denarius.
'My friend,' he answered to one of them, 'I am doing you no injustice.
He called him his friend and reasoned with him. When someone makes a solemn agreement then he mast keep his side of the bargain. They worked for one day and he gave them a days wage as agreed.
Mat 20:14 Take your money and go. I choose to give this last comer just as much as I give you.
Notes
He told them to be off as he had keep his word to them.
“I choose to give this last comer just as much as I give you.”
Mat 20:15 Have I not a right to do what I choose with my own property? Or are you envious because I am generous?'
Notes
Does he not have a right to use his own money as he chooses? This speaks of God who is generous and kind and keeps his word to us. We all receive his mercy and grace if we repent and believe.
God is not answerable to man for what He does with his rewards.L.M. p. 504
Mat 20:16 "So the last shall be first, and the first last."
Notes
God always acts in Grace and we think that he should act in terms of merit.
What will really happen when we arrive in Heaven at the Judgment Seat of Christ of all believers.
No comments:
Post a Comment