1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,
18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,
19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
29 And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.
30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.
31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.
32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.
34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
The 20th chapter of the book of Matthew in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible presents an array of spiritual instructions and teachings from Jesus Christ, underscoring themes such as the kingdom of heaven, service, sacrifice, humility, and divine justice. This chapter is a rich tapestry of parables, conversations, and miracles, all of which shed light on the nature of God's kingdom and the character qualities that are valued therein.
The chapter begins with the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16). This parable is a profound illustration of God’s grace and generosity, and a poignant reminder that divine justice may not always align with human perceptions of fairness. In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a landowner who hires workers at different times throughout the day, yet pays them all the same wage. Those who started work early in the morning grumble at this seeming inequity, feeling that they should receive more for their longer hours. However, the landowner, symbolizing God, asserts his right to do what he wishes with his own resources, and to be generous to all.
The parable serves as a stark reminder that God's ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). It illustrates that the kingdom of heaven operates on principles of grace and mercy, rather than human concepts of merit and reward. In the kingdom of God, the last will be first, and the first will be last, a theme that Jesus often emphasized to counter the worldly focus on status and hierarchy.
In verses 17-19 of Matthew 20, Jesus once again foretells His impending death and resurrection to His disciples. This is the third time Jesus predicts his fate in the book of Matthew, each time with increasing clarity. This prediction includes specific details about the nature of his death - that he will be betrayed, condemned to death, mocked, scourged, crucified, and then rise again on the third day. Despite the clear and repeated predictions, the disciples still struggle to fully comprehend the reality and necessity of Jesus' sacrifice.
This passage underscores the theme of self-sacrifice and service that is central to Jesus' mission and the Christian faith. It also highlights the tension between divine foreknowledge and human freedom. Jesus, fully aware of His impending suffering, willingly chooses the path of sacrifice for the sake of humanity's redemption.
In verses 20-28, the mother of James and John, two of Jesus' disciples, asks Jesus to grant her sons places of honor in His kingdom. This request reveals a common misunderstanding of the nature of Jesus' kingdom and a worldly desire for status and power. Jesus responds by emphasizing that positions of honor in His kingdom are not for Him to grant, but are determined by God the Father. Furthermore, He underscores that greatness in His kingdom is not achieved through dominance and authority, but through service and sacrifice, just as He came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
This passage presents a radical redefinition of greatness and leadership from a Christian perspective. In contrast to the power structures of the world, where authority often equates to dominance, in the kingdom of God, true leadership is characterized by humility, service, and self-sacrifice. This teaching remains a powerful counter-cultural message in our world today.
The final verses of Matthew 20 (verses 29-34) recount the healing of two blind men. As Jesus and His disciples are leaving Jericho, they encounter two blind men sitting by the road. Despite attempts by the crowd to silence them, the men persistently cry out to Jesus for mercy. Recognizing their faith, Jesus touches their eyes, and they are immediately healed.
This miraculous healing is a testament to the power of faith and the compassion of Jesus. It also serves as a metaphor for spiritual blindness and illumination. Just as the blind men were physically healed and granted sight, so too can individuals be spiritually healed and granted insight into the truth of God’s kingdom through faith in Jesus.
The 20th chapter of Matthew provides rich insights into the nature of God’s kingdom and the values that underpin it. Through the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, we gain a clearer understanding of God's generous grace and the principle that in His kingdom, the last shall be first. The prediction of Jesus' death and resurrection underscores the themes of self-sacrifice and service. The dialogue following the mother’s request for her sons reveals the radical redefinition of greatness and leadership in the kingdom of God, centered on humility and service. Finally, the healing of the two blind men illuminates the transformative power of faith and Christ’s compassion.
In essence, Matthew 20 serves as a profound reminder of the counter-cultural values of the kingdom of heaven, where humility is exalted, service is esteemed, and the last shall be first. It invites us to reflect on our own understanding of fairness, leadership, and greatness, and challenges us to align our values with those of God’s kingdom.
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