Matthew 20:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:1-16

The astonishment of precedence. The text of this parable is found in the last verse of the preceding chapter. The words are repeated as the conclusion of its argument ( Matthew 20:16 ). Hence the critics say the last verse of Matthew 19:1-30 ought to have been the first of Matthew 20:1-34 . Yet the last verse of Matthew 19:1-30 is evidently connected with Christ's discourse upon the case of the ruler. Note— I. THAT PRECEDENCE IS ASTONISHED IN GOD 'S GIFTS AND ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:16

So the last, etc. The parable concludes with the saying with which it began ( Matthew 19:30 ), but with some inversion in the order of the words. There it was, "Many first shall be last; and last first;" here it is, The last shall be first, and the first last. The circumstances of the parable necessitate this change. The last called were first paid, and were equal to the first in recompense; the first were behind the others in time of payment, and in the spirit with which they received... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:16

A great reversal. This is an often-repeated saying of our Lord's; perhaps he uttered it more often than anything else—a fact which shows its importance and also the difficulty people have in believing it and acting on it. We are not to suppose that there is a Nemesis that mocks at good fortune and delights in reversing it. Prosperity is not punished as such, for it is not in itself an evil thing. God is gracious and generous. He would not torment his children with needless disappointments.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 20:16

So the last shall be first ... - This is the moral or scope of the parable. “To teach this it was spoken.” Many that, in the order of time, are brought last into the kingdom, shall be first in the rewards. Higher proportionate rewards shall be given to them than to others. “To all justice shall be done.” To all to whom the rewards of heaven are promised they shall be given. Nothing shall be withheld that was promised. If, among this number who are called into the kingdom, I choose to raise some... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 20:16

Matthew 20:16. So the last shall be first, and the first last The Gentiles last called, and last in advantages and privileges, not having been favoured in that respect as the Jews were, and despised and looked down upon with contempt by the Jews; shall be first Shall more readily, and in far greater numbers, embrace the gospel than the Jews, and shall far exceed them in knowledge and wisdom, holiness and usefulness, and make abundantly greater progress than they in true religion. And... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:1-16

111. Workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)Jesus’ purpose in telling this story was to illustrate what he had just said concerning God’s unexpected gift to those who at present appear to be disadvantaged (see Matthew 19:30). He was not setting out rules for wages and employment, but giving an illustration of God’s grace. The sovereign God takes pity on a needy world, and generously gives his salvation to all who accept his offer.At the beginning of the day, a landowner hired people to work... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 20:16

So, &c. See note on Matthew 19:30 , which precedes the parable, as this concludes it. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 20:16

So the last shall be first, and the first last.It was with this declaration that the parable began and ended. The grand lesson is that men do not deserve or merit salvation. In the case of the laborers, those who worked all day did not deserve their pay after having thrown it on the ground. That act forfeited their further right to it. In spite of their lack of merit, the good householder required them to pick it up, thus giving it to them in spite of their forfeiture. The ones who labored only... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 20:16

Matthew 20:16. For many are called, &c.— A proverbial expression, which, as it is here stated, imports that the Jews should all be called by the Apostles and first preachers to receive the Gospel;—"They shall have the Gospel preached to them;" but that few of them, in comparison, would obey the call or become chosen servants, the generalityof the nation wilfully remaining in infidelity and wickedness: wherefore, this branch of the parable very fitly represents the pride of the Jews in... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 20:16

16. So the last shall be first, and the first last—that is, "Take heed lest by indulging the spirit of these murmurers at the penny given to the last hired, ye miss your own penny, though first in the vineyard; while the consciousness of having come in so late may inspire these last with such a humble frame, and such admiration of the grace that has hired and rewarded them at all, as will put them into the foremost place in the end." for many be called, but few chosen—This is another of our... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:1-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 20:16

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 20:16

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:1-16

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 20:16

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 20:16

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 20:16

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 20:16

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