Matthew 20:1-16 (KJV)
“So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” (Matthew 20:16)
The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard is one of the most profound teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ concerning the grace of God, the sovereignty of God, and the attitude believers should have toward His blessings. Found in Matthew 20:1-16, this parable challenges human ideas of fairness and reveals that God’s dealings with mankind are based upon His grace rather than human merit.
Many people approach God with the mindset that rewards should be distributed according to human standards. However, this parable demonstrates that God is not obligated to operate according to man’s expectations. The Lord is sovereign over His kingdom and extends His grace according to His perfect will. This teaching reminds believers to rejoice in God’s goodness rather than compare themselves with others.
The Householder and the Vineyard
Jesus begins the parable by describing a householder who owns a vineyard.
“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.” (Matthew 20:1)
The householder represents God Himself. The vineyard represents His work and His kingdom. Throughout Scripture, a vineyard often symbolizes the people of God and the field of God’s labor.
God is continually calling people to serve Him. Just as the householder sought laborers, God seeks men and women who will enter His service. Salvation is not merely a call to escape judgment but also a call to labor in the Master’s vineyard.
The fact that the householder personally goes out to hire laborers illustrates God’s initiative in salvation. Man does not seek God on his own. God reaches out to mankind with His invitation of grace.
The Different Hours of Calling
The householder hired workers at various times throughout the day.
- Early in the morning
- The third hour
- The sixth hour
- The ninth hour
- The eleventh hour
“And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle…” (Matthew 20:6)
These different times represent God’s calling of people at different stages of life.
Some are saved in childhood. Others come to Christ in their youth, middle age, or old age. Some serve the Lord for decades, while others are saved shortly before death.
The thief on the cross is a perfect example of an eleventh-hour laborer. Though he spent most of his life in sin, he turned to Christ in his final moments and received the promise of paradise.
God’s invitation remains open until the end of life. As long as a person has breath, there is hope in the mercy of God.
The Agreed Wage
The first laborers agreed to work for a penny a day.
“And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.” (Matthew 20:2)
The penny was a common day’s wage in biblical times. The laborers willingly accepted the agreement.
This reminds us that God never acts unjustly. Everything He promises, He fulfills perfectly. The Lord never cheats His servants. His rewards are always righteous and faithful.
The first laborers received exactly what they had agreed to receive. Their complaint later arose not because they were treated unfairly, but because others received unexpected generosity.
The Generosity of the Master
At the end of the day, the householder paid all the laborers the same wage.
“And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.” (Matthew 20:9)
Human reasoning immediately sees this as unfair. How could those who worked one hour receive the same as those who worked all day?
Yet the point of the parable is not wages earned through labor. The point is the grace of the master.
Salvation is not earned by years of service. Eternal life is a gift of grace.
The believer who serves Christ for fifty years receives eternal life through grace. The sinner who repents shortly before death receives the same eternal life through grace.
No one earns salvation. All receive it because of God’s mercy.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)
The Sin of Comparison
The laborers who worked all day became dissatisfied.
“But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more…” (Matthew 20:10)
Their problem was not their wage. Their problem was comparison.
They stopped focusing on what they had received and began focusing on what others had received.
This temptation remains common among believers today.
Some compare ministries.
Some compare spiritual gifts.
Some compare opportunities.
Some compare rewards and blessings.
Comparison breeds envy, jealousy, resentment, and pride. It robs believers of joy and gratitude.
God never intended His children to measure His goodness by comparing themselves with others. Instead, they are to rejoice in the grace shown to every believer.
The Sovereign Right of God
The master answered the complaining laborers:
“Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?” (Matthew 20:13)
Then he added:
“Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own?” (Matthew 20:15)
This statement highlights the sovereignty of God.
God is the Creator and Lord of all things. He has the absolute right to distribute His blessings according to His wisdom and purpose.
Human beings often question God’s decisions because they evaluate matters through limited understanding. God sees the beginning and the end. His judgments are perfect and His ways are higher than ours.
The believer’s responsibility is not to challenge God’s goodness but to trust His wisdom.
The Evil Eye
The master asked a penetrating question:
“Is thine eye evil, because I am good?” (Matthew 20:15)
The “evil eye” refers to envy and jealousy.
The laborers were offended by the goodness shown to others.
This reveals a serious spiritual danger. A believer can become so focused on what others receive that he loses appreciation for God’s blessings in his own life.
The goodness of God toward others should never become a cause of resentment. Instead, it should produce praise and thanksgiving.
Whenever God blesses another believer, we should rejoice that His grace is being displayed.
The Last Shall Be First
Jesus concludes:
“So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” (Matthew 20:16)
This statement emphasizes that God’s kingdom often operates differently than human expectations.
Those whom the world considers insignificant may be highly honored in heaven.
Those who appear great in the eyes of men may hold a lesser position before God.
God measures faithfulness, humility, obedience, and love rather than outward appearance, status, or human recognition.
The kingdom of heaven reverses many of the values that dominate this present world.
Prophetic Insight
This parable also contains a prophetic lesson concerning the closing days of the Church Age.
Throughout history, believers have entered God’s vineyard at different times. Some have labored for centuries through persecution and hardship. Yet in the final generation, many will come to faith shortly before Christ’s return.
Just as the eleventh-hour laborers received the master’s generosity, many will be saved in the final hours before judgment falls upon the earth. God’s grace will continue calling sinners until the appointed time comes.
This should motivate believers to continue preaching the gospel while there is still opportunity for souls to enter the vineyard.
Conclusion
The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard reveals the greatness of God’s grace and the sovereignty of His kingdom. God is not obligated to follow human standards of fairness. He deals with mankind according to His mercy, wisdom, and perfect will.
The laborers who worked all day received exactly what was promised, yet they lost their joy because they compared themselves to others. Believers today must guard against the same temptation. God’s blessings are not diminished when He blesses someone else.
The proper response to God’s grace is gratitude, humility, and praise. Whether called early or late, every believer who enters the vineyard through faith in Jesus Christ receives the priceless gift of eternal life.
May we rejoice in the goodness of God, trust His sovereign purposes, and faithfully labor in His vineyard until the Lord returns.