Matthew 20:1 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:1-16

The labourers in the vineyard. This parable is one from which we are liable to draw some erroneous inferences unless we mentally hold it in strict connection with the circumstances in which it was originally spoken. When the rich young man turned away sorrowful, our Lord, sympathizing with the severity of his temptation, said, "Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven." Peter, seeing that he thus appreciated the difficulty of giving up property and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 20:1

For the kingdom of heaven ... - The word “for” shows that this chapter should have been connected with the preceding. The parable was spoken expressly to illustrate the sentiment in the last verse of that chapter: “Many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.” The kingdom of heaven means here the church, including, perhaps, its state here and hereafter. See the notes at Matthew 3:2. It has reference to rewards, and the meaning may be thus expressed: “Rewards shall be bestowed... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 20:1

Matthew 20:1. For the kingdom of heaven, &c. The manner in which the following parable is here introduced, (and it is the same in the original,) evidently shows that it was spoken in illustration of the sentence with which the preceding chapter concludes, and from which, therefore, it ought not to have been disjoined. The primary scope of this parable seems to be, to show that many of the Jews would be rejected for their disobedience to the gospel call, and many of the Gentiles accepted... 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 20:1

the kingdom of heaven. See App-114 . This parable occurs only in Matthew, and is called forth by Peter's question in Matthew 19:27 . heaven = the heavens. See note on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 . a man that is an householder = a man a house holder. A Hebraism = master of a house. early in the morning = together with the dawn. to hire. Greek. misthoomai. Occurs only here, and Matthew 20:7 . into = for. Greek. eis. App-104 . vineyard. See Isaiah 5:1-7 . Psalms 80:8 , Psalms 80:9 . Israel... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 20:1

MATT. 20THE PARABLE OF THE LABORERS IN THE VINEYARD; THE THIRD PROPHETIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE PASSION; THE REQUEST OF ZEBEDEE'S SONS; TWO BLIND MEN AT JERICHOFor the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that was an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. (Matthew 20:1)ANALOGIES IN THE PARABLE OF THE LABORERS IN THE VINEYARD The householder is God. The chief steward is Jesus Christ to whom the Father hath committed judgment. The vineyard is the church.... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 20:1

Matthew 20:1. For the kingdom of heaven, &c.— The true scope of this parable is, to shew that the Jewish nation, who of all people were first in external privileges, and particularlyin respect of the offer of the Gospel, wouldbe last in accepting it; and that when they did receive it, they should enjoy no higher privileges under that dispensation, than the Gentiles, who were called atthe eleventh hour. The application of the parable suggests this interpretation, Matthew 20:16. So the last... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 20:1

1. 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. (Psalms 80:8-16 Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 2:21; Luke 20:9-16; John 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... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 20:1-2

Jesus introduced this parable as He did the other kingdom parables in chapter 13 (cf. Matthew 13:24; Matthew 13:31; Matthew 13:33, et al.). This is how conditions will be in the messianic kingdom. One denarius was the normal day’s wage for a day laborer in Jesus’ day (cf. Matthew 18:28). [Note: Edersheim, The Life . . ., 2:417.] The vineyard is a common figure for Israel in the Old Testament (Isaiah 3:14; Isaiah 5:1-2; Jeremiah 12:10; et al.). read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:1-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:1-16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 20:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 20:1

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:1-16

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 20:1

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 20:1

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 20:1

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 20:1

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 20:1-2

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