Dr Paul Allen

The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Matthew 20:1 –16 “‘Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first, nd the first last” (vv. 15–16). After promising Peter a great reward or leaving everything behind to follow Him (Matt. 19:27–30), Jesus tells the  parable of the laborers in the vineyard  20:1–16). This lesson reminds Peter that even though kingdom servants will receive a great prize, all such gain is entirely due to God ’s overeign grace. Day laborers in the first-century Roman world typically gathered in the marketplace where they were hired first thing in the morning to assist in the harvest for the standard wage of one denarius per day. It makes sense for Jesus to draw upon these facts when He tells the story in today’s passage because parables are based upon everyday life and the disciples would be familiar with the plight of the day laborer .

Image via Wikipedia "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." ( Matthew 20:8 )   This parable has long caused perplexity, not only among the workers in the parable, but also among readers ever since. Why would the Lord teach that wages paid for a given type of work should be the same for one hour’s work as for twelve? His only explanation was that it was the owner ’s right to do what he wanted with his own money, and that "the last shall be first, and the first last" ( v. 16 ).   He also pointed out to the complaining workmen that he had completely fulfilled his contract with them. Early in the morning, this group of laborers had negotiated their own terms with him, and "he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day" ( v. 2 ). Those he hired later in the day had said nothing at all about pay, being glad merely to work and willing t