Matthew 20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 20

We have four things in this chapter. I. The parable of the labourers in the vineyard, Matt. 20:1-16. II. A prediction of Christ's approaching sufferings, Matt. 20:17-19. III. The petition of two of the disciples, by their mother, reproved, Matt. 20:20-28. IV. The petition of the two blind men granted, and their eyes opened, Matt. 20:29-34. read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 20:1-16

This parable of the labourers in the vineyard is intended, I. To represent to us the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 20:1), that is, the way and method of the gospel dispensation. The laws of that kingdom are not wrapt up in parables, but plainly set down, as in the sermon upon the mount; but the mysteries of that kingdom are delivered in parables, in sacraments, as here and Matt. 13:1-58 The duties of Christianity are more necessary to be known than the notions of it; and yet the notions of it are... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 20:17-19

This is the third time that Christ gave his disciples notice of his approaching sufferings; he was not going up to Jerusalem to celebrate the passover, and to offer up himself the great Passover; both must be done at Jerusalem: there the passover must be kept (Deut. 12:5), and there a prophet must perish, because there the great Sanhedrim sat, who were judges in that case, Luke 13:33. Observe, I. The privacy of this prediction; He took the twelve disciples apart in the way. This was one of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 20:20-28

Here, is first, the request of the two disciples to Christ, and the rectifying of the mistake upon which that was grounded, Matt. 20:20-23. The sons of Zebedee were James and John, two of the first three of Christ's disciples; Peter and they were his favourites; John was the disciple whom Jesus loved; yet none were so often reproved as they; whom Christ loves best he reproves most, Rev. 3:19. I. Here is the ambitious address they made to Christ?that they might sit, the one on his right hand,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 20:29-34

We have here an account of the cure of two poor blind beggars; in which we may observe, I. Their address to Christ, Matt. 20:29, 30. And in this, 1. The circumstances of it are observable. It was as Christ and his disciples departed from Jericho; of that devoted place, which was rebuilt under a curse, Christ took his leave with this blessing, for he received gifts even for the rebellious. It was in the presence of a great multitude that followed him; Christ had a numerous, though not a... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 20:1-16

20:1-16 "For the situation in the Kingdom of Heaven is like what happened when a householder went out first thing in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. When he had come to an agreement with them that they would work for 4 pence a day, he sent them into his vineyard. He went out again about nine o'clock in the morning, and saw others standing idle in the market-place. He said to them, 'Go you also into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' And they went. He went out... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 20:1-16

C. G. Montefiore calls this parable "one of the greatest and most glorious of all." It may indeed have had a comparatively limited application when it was spoken for the first time; but it contains truth which goes to the very heart of the Christian religion. We begin with the comparatively limited significance it originally had. (i) It is in one sense a warning to the disciples. It is as if Jesus said to them, "You have received the great privilege of coming into the Christian Church and... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 20:17-19

20:17-19 As he was going up to Jerusalem, Jesus took the twelve disciples apart, and said to them, while they were on the road, "Look you, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the Scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and they will hand him over to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify; and on the third day he will be raised." This is the third time that Jesus warned his disciples that he was on the way to the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 20:20-28

20:20-28 At that time the mother of Zebedee's sons came to him with her sons, kneeling before him, and asking something from him. He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to him, "Speak the word that these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right hand, and one on your left, in your Kingdom." Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup which I have to drink?" They said to him, "We can." He said to them, "My cup you are to drink; but to sit on my right... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 20:20-28

Second, this passage sheds a light upon the Christian life. Jesus said that those who would share his triumph must drink his cup. What was that cup? It was to James and John that Jesus spoke. Now life treated James and John very differently. James was the first of the apostolic band to die a martyr ( Acts 12:2 ). For him the cup was martyrdom. On the other hand, by far the greater weight of tradition goes to show that John lived to a great old age in Ephesus and died a natural death when he... read more

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