Matthew 20:1-2 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 20:1

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man - a householder - The very commencement of this chapter shows it to be connected with the preceding. The manner of God's proceeding under the Gospel dispensation resembles a householder, who went out at day break, αμα πρωι , together with the morning; as the light began to go out of its chambers in the east, so he went out of his bed-room to employ laborers, that they might cultivate his vineyard. This was what was called, among the Jews and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 20:2

A penny - A Roman coin, as noted before, Matthew 18:28 , worth about seven-pence halfpenny or seven-pence three farthings of our money, and equal to the Greek drachma. This appears to have been the ordinary price of a day's labor at that time. See Tobit 5:14. In 1351 the price of labor was regulated in this country by parliament; and it is remarkable that "corn-weeders and hay-makers, without meat, drink, or other courtesy demanded," were to have one penny per day! In 1314 the pay of a... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 20:1

Verse 1 As this parable is nothing else than a confirmation of the preceding sentence, the last shall be first, it now remains to see in what manner it ought to be applied. Some commentators reduce it to this general proposition, that the glory of all; will be equal, because the heavenly inheritance is not obtained by the merits of works, but is bestowed freely. But Christ does not here argue either about the equality of the heavenly glory, or about the future condition of the godly. He only... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:1

For . The following parable is intended to illustrate the apophthegm at the end of the last chapter, which is repeated almost in the same words at the close, "Many that are first," etc., and "The last shall be first," etc. It taught the apostles a lesson in answer to Peter's question ( Matthew 19:27 ), "What shall we have therefore?" and the primary lesson was that the reward of the kingdom is not of debt, but of grace. There are many difficulties in the parable, which may be better... 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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 20:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 20:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 20:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:1-16

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