lesson 12 : the parable of the laborers in the vineyard

Lesson 12:

The Parable of the Laborers in the VineyardThe Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard

The Parable of the Laborers in the The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard:Vineyard:The BackgroundThe Background• The rich young ruler had just come to The rich young ruler had just come to

Jesus to find eternal life, but due to his Jesus to find eternal life, but due to his unwillingness to sacrifice all he had in unwillingness to sacrifice all he had in order to follow Jesus, he went away order to follow Jesus, he went away sorrowfully (19:16-27).sorrowfully (19:16-27).

• Peter was somewhat boastful in Peter was somewhat boastful in claiming, “We have left all,” and so he claiming, “We have left all,” and so he asked, “What then shall we have?” asked, “What then shall we have?” (19:25-27).(19:25-27).

• Jesus promised great blessings but Jesus promised great blessings but cautions, “But many who are first will cautions, “But many who are first will be last, and the last first” (19:30).be last, and the last first” (19:30).

• This story and this final statement are This story and this final statement are obvious reasons for Jesus telling this obvious reasons for Jesus telling this parable (cf. 20:8, 16).parable (cf. 20:8, 16).

Matt. 20:1-16Matt. 20:1-16

• ““For the kingdom of heaven is like a For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.”vineyard.”– God seeks to bring man back to Him (Isa. God seeks to bring man back to Him (Isa.

65:2), although man is not always seeking 65:2), although man is not always seeking Him (Eph. 2)Him (Eph. 2)

– The kingdom is a place for laborers (cf. Gal. The kingdom is a place for laborers (cf. Gal. 5:4; Eph. 2:10; Phil. 2:12; 1 Tim. 2:10; Heb. 5:4; Eph. 2:10; Phil. 2:12; 1 Tim. 2:10; Heb. 10:24). It is not a retirement community.10:24). It is not a retirement community.

– Labor is rewarded only if performed within Labor is rewarded only if performed within the Lord’s vineyard. All other is for nothing.the Lord’s vineyard. All other is for nothing.

The Parable of the Laborers in the The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard:Vineyard:The NarrativeThe Narrative Matt. 20:1-16Matt. 20:1-16

• The laborers were employed at various The laborers were employed at various hours of the day.hours of the day.– Different hours represent conversions at Different hours represent conversions at

varying periods of lifevarying periods of life– Workers promised to be given whatever is Workers promised to be given whatever is

rightright– Activity performed outside of the vineyard Activity performed outside of the vineyard

is viewed by God as “idle” (v. 3, 6).is viewed by God as “idle” (v. 3, 6).– Jesus is not advocating delaying Jesus is not advocating delaying

obedience. All workers accepted labor as obedience. All workers accepted labor as soon as it was offered. Eleventh hour soon as it was offered. Eleventh hour workers entered the vineyard at the first workers entered the vineyard at the first opportunity they had.opportunity they had.


• All of the laborers were paid the same—All of the laborers were paid the same—a denarius/shilling.a denarius/shilling.– This represents eternal life.This represents eternal life.– But there is no suggestion that we “earn” a But there is no suggestion that we “earn” a

right to heaven (cf. Rom. 6:23).right to heaven (cf. Rom. 6:23).


• The landowner rewarded the laborers/ The landowner rewarded the laborers/ workers consistent with his will, in spite of workers consistent with his will, in spite of the murmuring of others.the murmuring of others.– The sovereignty of God is emphasized—no one The sovereignty of God is emphasized—no one

has the right to judge what the Almighty does.has the right to judge what the Almighty does.• What everyone receives will be more than “fair” – What everyone receives will be more than “fair” –

“Did you not agree with me?”“Did you not agree with me?”• No one has the right to question the “generosity” of No one has the right to question the “generosity” of

the Lord – “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish the Lord – “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things?”with my own things?”

• Workers should not be “envious” if others receive Workers should not be “envious” if others receive the same reward— “Is your eye evil b/c I am good?”the same reward— “Is your eye evil b/c I am good?”


• The landowner rewarded the laborers/ The landowner rewarded the laborers/ workers consistent with his will, in spite workers consistent with his will, in spite of the murmuring of others.of the murmuring of others.– Some workers work for pay; to them work Some workers work for pay; to them work

is a duty. Other workers work without is a duty. Other workers work without thinking of the pay, depending solely on thinking of the pay, depending solely on the generosity of the owner to do what is the generosity of the owner to do what is right, trusting Him.right, trusting Him.

– Though some may personally labor well, Though some may personally labor well, their disposition toward others may need their disposition toward others may need improvement.improvement.


• The last shall be first, and the first last.The last shall be first, and the first last.– Many who are now considered “pillars in Many who are now considered “pillars in

the church” will be last, and many who the church” will be last, and many who are/were the least in the kingdom and are/were the least in the kingdom and went mostly unnoticed shall be first on the went mostly unnoticed shall be first on the day of judgment (cf. Mark 12:43-44; Matt. day of judgment (cf. Mark 12:43-44; Matt. 26:10-13).26:10-13).

– The disciples, who were constantly The disciples, who were constantly quarreling about rank (cf. Matt. 18:1; quarreling about rank (cf. Matt. 18:1; 20:20; Luke 22:24), should have taken 20:20; Luke 22:24), should have taken note.note.


• God is compassionate and seeks sinners.God is compassionate and seeks sinners.• The Lord is generous in that He rewards those The Lord is generous in that He rewards those

who serve Him, even though their opportunity for who serve Him, even though their opportunity for service may have been limited. There is work for service may have been limited. There is work for everyone.everyone.

• The day of judgment will be a great leveler, The day of judgment will be a great leveler, because the Lord does not see as man sees (cf. 1 because the Lord does not see as man sees (cf. 1 Sam. 16:7). There will be some surprises.Sam. 16:7). There will be some surprises.

• We must avoid a disposition which attempts to We must avoid a disposition which attempts to bargain with God for what He’ll give us.bargain with God for what He’ll give us.

• One should not serve the Lord with a commercial One should not serve the Lord with a commercial or mercenary spirit – “what I get out of it.”or mercenary spirit – “what I get out of it.”

• We ought not to compare ourselves with others We ought not to compare ourselves with others (cf. 2 Cor. 10:12).(cf. 2 Cor. 10:12).

• It is service, not seniority, that counts with God.It is service, not seniority, that counts with God.• God is gracious & merciful beyond what we God is gracious & merciful beyond what we

deserve.deserve.

The Parable of the Laborers in the The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard:Vineyard:Lessons/TruthsLessons/Truths Matt. 20:1-16Matt. 20:1-16

lesson 12 : the parable of the laborers in the vineyard

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