Matthew 20

Matthew was inspired to explain the kingdom of God to the Jews and the Parthians so that they might repent of the ways of error^[1] which were spots in their religion.^[2] They needed to repent of systems of social welfare of the cities of blood and seek the way of His righteousness.


Comments
V1 "This parable (of the householder and the labourers), recorded only by Matthew, is closely connected with the end of the nineteenth chapter, being spoken with reference to Peter's question as to how it should fare with those who, like himself, had left all for Christ."^[3] Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges stated, "All who have in a true sense given up all for Christ shall have a great reward (ch. Matthew 19:28-29)."^[4]
"ye which have followed me, in the regeneration" What is the regeneration?^[5] and shall inherit everlasting life." Matthew 19:28-29.
Jesus says, "...the kingdom of heaven is like..." to explain how the government he is going to take from the Pharisees and appoint to his little flock of disciples is supposed to work. He calls that government the Kingdom of God or kingdom of heaven.
V2, V7 Laborers from the first to the eleventh hour are paid the same in V8, V9 so that in V10, V13 murmuring and jealousy arose. In V14 he shows God is the God of contract, do not try to take away the choice of any.
V15 But He also is pointing out each of us have a right to decide to do what we will with what we have. It is also clear He is a capitalist and wants us to do be the same. He makes it clear that we should not have one purse nor exercise authority on over the other as the gentiles do. We should not make covenants with others where they can rule over us, to become a surety by oaths or debt.
V16 Those who attempt to put themselves first shall be last:^[6]
Jesus also clearly talks in His Gospel of the kingdom that we should seek, endure, persevere, strive, and be a doer of the word as stated the Doctrine of Jesus. When he asks in this parable "Why stand ye here all the day idle?" Jesus knows that those that are slothful go under tribute to the world becoming obligated to serve the unrighteous mammon. They will feed the beast of the world because the feed the Nature of the Beast in themselves by biting one another instead of loving one another.
V17, V19 Jesus tells His disciples of what is to come in Jerusalem.
V20, V21 will be a request that will bring more murmuring and jealousy because someone wants their sons to be first.
In verse 22 He mentions the baptism of the Holy Spirit which is associated with a baptism of fire we saw in Matthew 3, Luke 3, and Mark 1.^[7]
The apostles who said they were "able" did not know what they were talking about yet. People often like to proclaim "Yes we can" but that is a statement born of vanity. They were actually not able at that time but they would become able when they came into one accord with the Holy Spirit.
V23 ... "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.

V26 But it shall not be so among^[8] you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Within free assemblies of tens there were Elders but also Ministers, Deacon and Priests, overseers or Bishops. Like the Levites, there was a peculiar non-authoritarian who were the benefactors of a free society through voluntary service.
Questions
* What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire?
* Is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire actually one in the same?
* Was the baptism of fire what we see at Pentecost with tongues of fire over each individual who came into one accord?
* Does such baptism occur when two or more come into a true one accord with the spirit of Christ?
V30 Blind men ..cried out "Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David." The Son of David would be king.

V34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

Laborers in the Vineyard

[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.

Third hour the idle are called

[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.

Sixth and ninth hour called more

[5] Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

Eleventh hour called the idle again

[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.

Call the labourers and give

[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.

They murmured

[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.

He answered them

[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.

Lawful for me

[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.^[6]

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

[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.

A Mother's Request

[20] Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's 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.

Not mine to give

[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.

Not exercise authority

[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^[8] 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.

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

[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.

If you need help:

Or want to help others:

Footnotes

↑
The way of error
2 Peter 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

Jude 1:11 "Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12 These are spots(not "unspotted" like Pure Religion) in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds [they are] without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;"

Revelation 2:14-17 "But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication ("to permit one’s self to be drawn away by another into idolatry"). 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it]."

Ezekiel 16:49 "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy."
- The way of the world is the way of Cain and His city-state, the Corban of the Pharisees and the cities of blood, Nimrod and the Nicolaitan, Babylon and Balaam, Sumer and Sodom, Pharaoh and the foolishness of Saul, and more recently FDR and LBJ and all the welfare States who use legal charity which is not The Way of Christ, the Kingdom of God nor the righteousness of God.
↑ Spotted and unspotted
1 Timothy 6:14 "That thou keep [this] commandment without spot <aspilos>, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:"

James 1:27 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted <aspilos> from the world.

1 Peter 1:19 "But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish <amomos> and without spot <aspilos>:"

2 Peter 3:13 "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot <aspilos>, and blameless <amometos>. 15 And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation..."

Hebrews 9:14 "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot <amomos> to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

2 Peter 2:13 "And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, [as] they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots <spilos> [they are] and blemishes<momos>, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:"

Jude 1:16 "These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage... 21 "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted <spiloo> by the flesh. 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless <amomos> before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,"
↑ Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary.
↑ "[28] And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [29] And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.Matthew 19:28-29
↑
3824 Original: παλιγγενεσία Transliteration: paliggenesia
Phonetic: pal-ing-ghen-es-ee'-ah
- Thayer Definition:
new birth, reproduction, renewal, recreation, regeneration
hence renovation, regeneration, the production of a new life consecrated to God, a radical change of mind for the better. The word often used to denote the restoration of a thing to its pristine state, its renovation, as a renewal or restoration of life after death
the renovation of the earth after the deluge
the renewal of the world to take place after its destruction by fire, as the * Stoics taught the signal and glorious change of all things (in heaven and earth) for the better, that restoration of the primal and perfect condition of things which existed before the fall of our first parents, which the Jews looked for in connection with the advent of the Messiah, and which Christians expected in connection with the visible return of Jesus from heaven.
- other uses
of Cicero's restoration to rank and fortune on his recall from exile

of the restoration of the Jewish nation after exile
of the recovery of knowledge by recollection
- Origin: from 3825 and 1078
- TDNT entry: 12:26,1
- Part(s) of speech: Noun Feminine
- Strong's Definition: From 3825 and 1078; (spiritual) rebirth (the state or the act), that is, (figuratively) spiritual renovation ; specifically Messianic restoration: - regeneration
  - The antitheses of degenerate.
↑ ^6.0 ^6.1 The first will be last
Matthew 19:30 But many [that are] first shall be last; and the last [shall be] first.

Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Matthew 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.: Mark 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, [the same] shall be last of all, and servant of all.

Mark 10:31 But many [that are] first shall be last; and the last first.

Luke 13:30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Luke 22:26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
↑ Matthew 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"
Luke 3:16 "John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:"

Mark 1:8 "I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost."
↑ ^8.0 ^8.1 Not exercise authority
Matthew 20:25 "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. But it shall not be so among you:..."

Mark 10:42 "But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you:..."

Luke 22:25 "And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye [shall] not [be] so:..."

[Errorbn-1] The way of error
2 Peter 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

Jude 1:11 "Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12 These are spots(not "unspotted" like Pure Religion) in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds [they are] without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;"

Revelation 2:14-17 "But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication ("to permit one’s self to be drawn away by another into idolatry"). 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it]."

Ezekiel 16:49 "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy."

The way of the world is the way of Cain and His city-state, the Corban of the Pharisees and the cities of blood, Nimrod and the Nicolaitan, Babylon and Balaam, Sumer and Sodom, Pharaoh and the foolishness of Saul, and more recently FDR and LBJ and all the welfare States who use legal charity which is not The Way of Christ, the Kingdom of God nor the righteousness of God.

[2] The way of the world is the way of Cain and His city-state, the Corban of the Pharisees and the cities of blood, Nimrod and the Nicolaitan, Babylon and Balaam, Sumer and Sodom, Pharaoh and the foolishness of Saul, and more recently FDR and LBJ and all the welfare States who use legal charity which is not The Way of Christ, the Kingdom of God nor the righteousness of God.

[Spotsq-2] Spotted and unspotted
1 Timothy 6:14 "That thou keep [this] commandment without spot <aspilos>, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:"

James 1:27 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted <aspilos> from the world.

1 Peter 1:19 "But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish <amomos> and without spot <aspilos>:"

2 Peter 3:13 "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot <aspilos>, and blameless <amometos>. 15 And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation..."

Hebrews 9:14 "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot <amomos> to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

2 Peter 2:13 "And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, [as] they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots <spilos> [they are] and blemishes<momos>, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:"

Jude 1:16 "These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage... 21 "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted <spiloo> by the flesh. 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless <amomos> before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,"

[3] Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary.

[4] "[28] And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [29] And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.Matthew 19:28-29

[paliggenesia-5] 3824 Original: παλιγγενεσία Transliteration: paliggenesia
Phonetic: pal-ing-ghen-es-ee'-ah

Thayer Definition:

new birth, reproduction, renewal, recreation, regeneration
hence renovation, regeneration, the production of a new life consecrated to God, a radical change of mind for the better. The word often used to denote the restoration of a thing to its pristine state, its renovation, as a renewal or restoration of life after death
the renovation of the earth after the deluge
the renewal of the world to take place after its destruction by fire, as the * Stoics taught the signal and glorious change of all things (in heaven and earth) for the better, that restoration of the primal and perfect condition of things which existed before the fall of our first parents, which the Jews looked for in connection with the advent of the Messiah, and which Christians expected in connection with the visible return of Jesus from heaven.
other uses

of Cicero's restoration to rank and fortune on his recall from exile

of the restoration of the Jewish nation after exile
of the recovery of knowledge by recollection
Origin: from 3825 and 1078

TDNT entry: 12:26,1

Part(s) of speech: Noun Feminine

Strong's Definition: From 3825 and 1078; (spiritual) rebirth (the state or the act), that is, (figuratively) spiritual renovation ; specifically Messianic restoration: - regeneration
The antitheses of degenerate.

[7] Thayer Definition:

[8] ther uses

[9] Origin: from 3825 and 1078

[10] TDNT entry: 12:26,1

[11] Part(s) of speech: Noun Feminine

[12] Strong's Definition: From 3825 and 1078; (spiritual) rebirth (the state or the act), that is, (figuratively) spiritual renovation ; specifically Messianic restoration: - regeneration
The antitheses of degenerate.

[13] The antitheses of degenerate.

[firstlast-6] 6.0 ^6.1 The first will be last
Matthew 19:30 But many [that are] first shall be last; and the last [shall be] first.

Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Matthew 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.: Mark 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, [the same] shall be last of all, and servant of all.

Mark 10:31 But many [that are] first shall be last; and the last first.

Luke 13:30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Luke 22:26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

[7] Matthew 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"
Luke 3:16 "John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:"

Mark 1:8 "I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost."

[exauth-8] 8.0 ^8.1 Not exercise authority
Matthew 20:25 "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. But it shall not be so among you:..."

Mark 10:42 "But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you:..."

Luke 22:25 "And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye [shall] not [be] so:..."

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

Matthew 20

Contents

Laborers in the Vineyard

Third hour the idle are called

Sixth and ninth hour called more

Eleventh hour called the idle again

Call the labourers and give

They murmured

He answered them

Lawful for me

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

A Mother's Request

Not mine to give

Not exercise authority

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

Footnotes

Navigation menu

Matthew 20

Laborers in the Vineyard

Third hour the idle are called

Sixth and ninth hour called more

Eleventh hour called the idle again

Call the labourers and give

They murmured

He answered them

Lawful for me

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

A Mother's Request

Not mine to give

Not exercise authority

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

Footnotes

Navigation menu

Search