Matthew 20:1-15 NIV

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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:1

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 Matthew 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:2

And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, .... These labourers were of that sort that were called שכיר יום , "hired for a day"; concerning whom is the following rule F17 Misna Bava Metzia, c. 9. sect. 11. Maimen Hilch. Shericut, c. 11. sect. 2. : "he that is hired for a day, may demand it all the night; and he that is hired for a night may demand it all the day: he that is hired for hours, may demand it all the night, and all the day; he that is hired for a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:3

And he went out about the third hour ,.... About nine o'clock in the morning, and saw others standing idle in the market place : the place where labourers used to be hired: and may design the world, because a place full of people, and of great wickedness, for the whole world lies in it; a place of trade and traffic in worldly things, and likewise of worldly and carnal pleasure, and also of idleness. Now God's elect before calling, are in this place: they are natives of it, have their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:4

And said unto them, go ye also into the vineyard ,.... Expressive of a call of divine grace out of the world, into the church; and which arises from mere grace, and good will, without any merit in, or motive from man, as the case here shows: for the householder went out to these men, not they to him; he puts the question to them, and calls them, and bids them go into his vineyard; they do not ask him to hire them, nor desire to be in his service. Moreover, the persons called were a parcel of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:5

Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour ,.... About twelve o'clock, or at noon, and three o'clock in the afternoon. These three last mentioned seasons of the day, were the hours of prayer; see Acts 2:15 and did likewise: seeing others in the same place, and posture, he called them, and sent them into his vineyard, to labour there, giving them the same promise he did to others. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:6

And about the eleventh hour he went out ,.... About five o'clock in the afternoon. The Persic version reads it, "the twelfth hour", which was six o'clock in the afternoon, the last hour of the day. The Jews divided their day into twelve hours, John 11:9 and these twelve hours into four parts; Nehemiah 9:3 each part containing three hours, to which division there is a manifest respect in this parable. These different seasons of the husbandman's going out to hire labourers, may have regard... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:7

They say unto him, because no man hath hired us ,.... This may be fitly applied to the Gentiles, who hundreds of years were neglected by God; he overlooked the times of their ignorance, took no notice of them in their state of stupidity, blindness, and irreligion; but suffered them to walk in their own ways, sent no prophets to instruct them, nor messages, nor messengers to them; till at length the Jews, having rejected and crucified the Messiah, and persecuted his apostles, and... read more

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:7

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