Matthew 20:1-7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Kingdom and Vineyard Workers

CHAPTER TWENTY:
EQUAL PAYMENT, A CUP TO DRINK,
AND SERVING OTHERS

[“Not Equal Pay for Equal Time”]
(Key word: Ransom)

Matthew 20:1-7 – The Kingdom and Vineyard Workers

MT20:1 “The Realm of Heaven may be compared to[1] a human landlord who went out early to hire workers [to work] in his vineyard. MT20:2 Having agreed with the workers for a denarius per day,[2] he sent them off into his vineyard. MT20:3 Now about the third hour[3] he saw other persons out of work[4] standing in the marketplace. MT20:4 And to these he said, ‘Go into the vineyard and I will pay you whatever is fair.’[5] MT20:5 These departed [for the vineyard]. Then again the landlord went out during both the sixth and ninth hours[6] and he did the same. MT20:6 Finally, about the eleventh hour[7] he went out and found still others standing around, and to these he said, ‘Why are you just standing around the whole day without work?’ MT20:7 These [unemployed] responded to him, ‘Because nobody hired us.’ The landlord told them, ‘Go [work] in my vineyard.’

*

[1] Realm of Heaven may be compared to: There is something about the Church, the realm of profession, that is compared to the story that follows.

[2] A denarius per day: Or, KJV: a penny; GDSP: a dollar; NEB: the usual day’s wages; PME: a silver coin a day; WMS: twenty cents a day. Some estimate this at 16 cents (US). Whatever, it may be viewed as the day’s wage of a farmer worker. If the USA standard minimum wage were applied it would amount to $5.00 per hour or about $40 for a days work. The first workers he found at sunrise.

[3] Third hour: 9:00 AM, three hours after sunrise.

[4] Other persons out of work: The Greek is literally “non-work(er).” Or, KJV: others standing idle; BER: other workmen in the bazaar without employment; NOR: loafing, with nothing to do.

[5] I will pay you whatever is fair: Or, KJV: whatever is right.

[6] Sixth and ninth hours: Or, 12:00 noon and 3:00 PM.

[7] Eleventh hour: An hour before sunset.

+

Preceding

Matthew 19:30 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: First Last – Last First

Matthew 19 Concerning the saved ones and those able to enter the Kingdom