Matthew 20:13

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 20:13

But he answered one of them ,.... Who was the forwardest and loudest in his complaints, and represented the rest; and said, friend, I do thee no wrong ; by giving all alike, the same privileges and blessings to the last, as to the first, since nothing was withheld from him. And indeed the Lord does no wrong to any, by the distinction which he makes among his creatures: he is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works: he does no injury to the evil angels, by choosing the good... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 20:13

Friend, I do thee no wrong - The salvation of the Gentiles can in itself become no impediment to the Jews; there is the same Jesus both for the Jew and for the Greek. Eternal life is offered to both through the blood of the cross; and there is room enough in heaven for all. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:1-16

Parable of the labourers in the vineyard . (Peculiar to St. Matthew.) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:1-16

Parable of the labourers in the vineyard. I. THE HIRING . 1 . The connection . The parable is very closely connected with the last four verses of Matthew 19:1-30 . It is plainly intended to illustrate our Lord's saying in Matthew 19:30 , "Many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." St. Peter's question in Matthew 19:27 contained an element of error. The Lord had promised a great reward to his faithful servants, and he would give it. It was their due,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:1-16

The labourers in the vineyard. This parable is closely connected with our Lord's remarks in describing the rewards of the kingdom, and it may have been intended to convey a mild rebuke, or at least a gentle warning, to St. Peter, who had asked," What then shall we have?" The apostles are to receive great rewards. But those who, like St. Peter, were called first, are not to assume that they will have any more than those who came in later. I. CHRIST SEEKS LABOURERS FOR HIS ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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