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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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 20:8

Verse 8 8.And when the evening was come. It would be improper to look for a mystery in the injunction of the householder to begin with the last, as if God crowned those first who were last in the order of time; for such a notion would not at all agree with the doctrine of Paul. They that are alive, he says, at the coming of Christ will not come before those who previously fell asleep in Christ, but will follow, (1 Thessalonians 4:15.) But Christ observes a different order in this passage,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 20:16

Verse 16 16.So the first shall be last. He does not now compare the Jews to the Gentiles, (as in another passages) nor the reprobate, who swerve from the faith, to the elect who persevere; and therefore the sentence which is introduced by some interpreters, many are called, but few are chosen, does not apply to that point. Christ only meant to say that every one who has been called before others ought to run with so much the greater alacrity, and, next, to exhort all men to be modest, not to... 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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:2

When he had agreed with the labourers. With those first hired he makes a special agreement for the pay of the day's work; with the others he acts differently. For a penny a day ( ἐκ ηηναρι ì ου τηραν ). The denarius (always translated "a penny" in our version) was a silver coin about equal in value to the French franc, but of course in its buying capacities worth in those days a great deal more. We learn from Tacitus ('Annal.,' 1.17) that it was the usual pay of a Roman... read more

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