MPV Commentary

This parable, recorded only by Matthew, is closely connected with the end of the nineteenth chapter, being spoken in response to Peter's question about how those who had left everything for Christ would fare. It is designed to show that while they would be richly rewarded, a certain equity would still be observed towards later converts and workers in His service.

1. The kingdom of heaven is like a man who is an owner of a household, going out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. This figure represents the rearing of souls for heaven, the culture required and provided for that purpose, and the care and pains God takes in that whole matter (Ps 80:8-16; Isa 5:1-7; Jer 2:21; Lu 20:9-16; Joh 15:1-8). At vintage time, labor was scarce, and masters were obliged to be early in the market to secure it. Perhaps the pressing nature of the Gospel work and the comparative paucity of laborers may be incidentally suggested (Mt 9:37, 38).

The "laborers" are first the official servants of the Church, but after them and along with them all the servants of Christ whom He has laid under the weightiest obligation to work in His service.

2. The owner agreed with the laborers for a penny—a usual day's hire—and sent them into his vineyard.

3. About nine o'clock, or after a fourth of the working day had expired, the owner went out and saw others standing idle in the market place. He said to them, "Go also into the vineyard; I will give you what is right." And they went their way.

4. Again he went out about noon and did likewise, hiring and sending into his vineyard fresh laborers each time.

5. About three o'clock in the afternoon, he found others standing idle and said to them, "Why stand here all day idle? Go also into the vineyard; I will give you what is right." And they went their way.

6. At about one hour before the close of the working day, he found still more standing idle and asked, "Why do you stand here all day idle?" They had not been there or offered themselves at the proper time, but now they were willing to work, and the day was not over; so they were engaged on similar terms with all the rest.

7. When evening came—the reckoning time between masters and laborers (De 24:15)—the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, "Call the laborers and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first."

8. When those hired about the eleventh hour received a penny—a full day's wages—they were satisfied.

9. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more. This calculating, mercenary spirit had peeped out in Peter's question (Mt 19:27), and this parable was designed to put it down once for all among the servants of Christ.

10. When they had received their pay, they murmured against the owner of the house, saying, "These last have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and heat of the day."

11. The owner answered one of them, saying, "Friend, I do you no wrong: did not you agree with me for a penny? Take what is yours and go your way; it is my good pleasure to give to this last as well as to you."

12. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is your eye evil because I am good?

13. So the last shall be first, and the first last—that is, take heed lest by indulging the spirit of these murmurers at the penny given to the last hired, you miss your own penny, though first in the vineyard; while the consciousness of having come in so late may inspire these last with such a humble frame and admiration for the grace that has hired and rewarded them as will put them into the foremost place in the end.

14. For many are called, but few chosen—this is another of our Lord's terse sayings, more than once uttered in different connections (Mt 19:30; 22:14). The "calling" here refers to the invitations of the Gospel, which many receive whom God has never chosen for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth (2Th 2:13). This teaching may be connected with our parable to show that men who have worked in Christ's service all their days may, by the spirit they manifest at the end, make it too evident that, as between God and their own souls, they never were chosen workmen at all.