Matthew 20:6-7

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 20:6

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 20:6

Eleventh - Five o'clock in the evening, when there was only one hour before the end of the Jewish day, which, in matters of labor, closed at six. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 20:7

No man hath hired us - This was the reason why they were all the day idle. And whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive - Ye may expect payment in proportion to your labor, and the time ye spend in it; but this clause is wanting in some of the best MSS., versions, and fathers. 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

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