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 .

John Calvin (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, and the first last” ( vv. 15–16 ). After promising Peter a great reward for 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 sovereign 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 . That the master hires workers right up to th