The nature of envy; It is an evil eye. "They that are first shall be last, and they that are last shall be first"( Matthew 19:30 ). Lastly, Here is the application of the parable (Matthew 20:16; Matthew 20:16), in that observation which occasioned it (Matthew 19:30; Matthew 19:30); So the first shall be last, and the last first. He now takes His place of rejection; for Him it is manifest even now by their inmost thoughts of Him when revealed. Minor Prophets Johannine Writings Nor is this all. They don't understand all of the provision that the Lord has made for them. God turns away none that are willing to be hired, for yet there is room. So the last shall be first, and the first last. His reply came in stages. ii. Not that His own rejection was not before His spirit, but here He looks not beyond that land and people; and, as far as the twelve were concerned, He sends them on a mission which goes on to the end of the an. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. "Then," said the Lord, "are the children free. Matthew 20:1-16 In-Context - Bible Study Tools Pentateuch I injure no one, and have a right to do what I will with my own." It is the paradox of the Christian life that he who aims at reward loses it, and he who forgets reward finds it. Many people are in the ministry for what they can receive (either materially or emotionally) from their people instead of for what they can give. But Jesus called them unto him, and he said, You know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. Hence, here it is a question not merely of cleansing, but of forgiveness, and forgiveness, too, as that which precedes power, manifested before men. The second is, "So the last shall be first, and the first last; for many are called, but few are chosen." In a sense, everybody is called to recognize God through the natural world, but the word "chosen" shows that God must personally rescue us from our self-centered blindness. It begins with a well-known scene but then introduces surprising elements to make a powerful point. The crowd commanded them to stop their shouting; they were making a nuisance of themselves. What does it mean? Verse Matthew 20:16. I didn't come to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give my life as a ransom for many ( Matthew 20:28 ). The motive was Christ Himself: therefore He says, "Ye which have followed me." He s. Matthew 20:16 - John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible Lord cometh, his reward is with him, to give unto every man according as his work shall be, as one star differeth from another star in glory, so shall it be. What could be said of her intelligence then? There is here the first decisive step to the last act of the inescapable tragedy. The deity of Christ was the hook; his flesh was the bait; the bait was dangled before leviathan; he swallowed it and was taken. (e) T. Bab. And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David! Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!. 4. [3.] "Neither do men put new wine into old bottles, else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish; but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved." A man may go idle to hell; but he that will go to heaven, must be busy. Beracot, fol. And the multitude around them said, "Shut up, hold your peace." To be like Christ he went to live in the slums, even though he himself was suffering from tuberculosis. New International Version (NIV). Succa, fol. The Lord pleads the cause of the disciples. Thus Matthew, called at the very receipt of custom, follows Jesus, and makes a feast for Him. That was all over for the moment through Israel's blind sin; He was going to suffer, not yet reign, at Jerusalem. and what had the Son of David to do with a Canaanite? Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. Who could touch the leper save Emmanuel? Reader, whosoever thou art, act in behalf of thy soul as these blind men did in behalf of their sight, and thy salvation is sure. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister [or servant]; And whosoever will be the chief among you, let him be the bondslave ( Matthew 20:23-27 ): Jesus here is teaching the servanthood of the ministry and the path to greatness. Jesus emphasized that both the calling and the choosing of God is based on His grace especially His choosing. My last word to Gods children is this: what does it matter, after all, whether we are first or whether we are last? to forget His ancient people. Commentary on Matthew 20:1-16 - Working Preacher It was a grave step this, and in view of His rejection now. 5. He was to be mocked by the Romans; there we see the suffering of humiliation and of deliberate insult. This world looks at the outward appearance, but God knows our hearts. Where did they come from? When He uttered the words, "Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me," it is to me evident that there was an allusion to the wavering let it be but for a moment of John's soul. Thus He sets forth both the past, the present, and the awful future of Israel, before the day of His own coming from heaven, when there will be not only the return of idolatry, solemn to say, but the full power of Satan associated with it, as we see in Daniel 11:36-39; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17; Revelation 13:11-15. ", To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament, The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. I injure no one, and have a right to do what I will with my own. Thus explained, this parable has no reference to the call of the Gentiles, nor to the call of aged sinners, nor to the call of sinners out of the church at all. His word should silence all our murmurings, that, whatever God does to us, or withholds from us, he does us no wrong. And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard ( Matthew 20:1-2 ). He stood in the driving rain to preach, coughing all the time. Prophets They put it off until a more convenient time, but so often the more convenient time never comes. He makes some more useful than others, without regard to the time which they serve, and he will reward them accordingly. Then, in Mark 3:1-35, there are notes of time more or less strong. Let not those that come in at the eleventh hour, be put behind the rest, but, lest they should be discouraged, call them first. So, I believe now, there is no attempt ever made on the Name of the Son of God, there is not a single shaft levelled at Him, but the Spirit turns to the holy, and true, and sweet task of asserting anew and more loudly His glory, which enlarges the expression of His grace to man. Hence, lower down in the chapter, after the demon was cast out of the blind and dumb man before the amazed people, the Pharisees, irritated by their question, Is not this the Son of David? Jesus of course was talking about His crucifixion and His death. But Israel had no sense of their leprosy; and they valued not, but despised, their Messiah, albeit divine I might almost say because divine. In other words, it is certain that in the gospel of Luke, in whose preface we have expressly the words "set in order," the Holy Ghost does in no way tie Himself to what, after all, is the most elementary form of arrangement; for it needs little observation to see, that the simple sequence of facts as they occurred is that which demands a faithful enumeration, and nothing more. (2.) God could not be limited by a question of place; His word was enough. Those hired later correspond to other people who became Jesus disciples later in His ministry. why not sorrow and shame that they should have so little understood their Master's mind? Jesus was no doubt very weakened by it. And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brothers. In particular, to represent to us that concerning the kingdom of heaven, which he had said in the close of the foregoing chapter, that many that are first shall be last, and the last, first; with which this parable is connected; that truth, having in it a seeming contradiction, needed further explication. And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. When those who had worked all day found that the landowner paid the same amount to the late-comers as he paid to them, they complained. (Matthew 20:29-31) Two blind men gain the attention of Jesus. Adventure Challenge - Couple's Edition - Matthew 20:16 - YouTube II. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at [email protected]. . Historical Books Pauline Epistles A similar principle applies to the little children, who are next introduced; and the same thing is true substantially of natural or moral character here below. This tested their thoughts of the glory of Jesus. Fasting, indeed, would follow when the Bridegroom was taken from them. Now, it was an established principle, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word should be established. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. What are they hired to do? I am going to be betrayed. Parents, and the disciples, like the Pharisees, were shown that grace, just because it is the expression of what God is to a ruined world, takes notice of what man in his own imaginary dignity might count altogether petty. In this laying aside of authority, he gives a silent rebuke to our self-seeking. (Spurgeon). The old people and work then closed in principle, and a new work of God in the kingdom of heaven was disclosed. Therefore what this saying means is quite simply--it cost the life and the death of Jesus Christ to bring men back to God. Luke-Acts They were still thinking in terms of personal reward and personal distinction; and they were thinking of personal success without personal sacrifice. And the third day He will rise again, Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, You will indeed drink 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, The rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant, Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, When they heard that Jesus was passing by, David Guzik :: 1 Corintios 7 Principios Sobre el Matrimonio y la Soltera, David Guzik :: 1 Juan 2 Impedimentos para una comunin con Dios, David Guzik :: Gnesis 3 La tentacin y cada del hombre, David Guzik :: Gnesis 2 La CreacinTerminada; Adn en el Jardn del Edn, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus and the Holy Trinity (Walter Martin), 1 Samuel 1-10 (1979-82 Audio) (Chuck Smith), Genesis 15-18 (1979-82 Audio) (Chuck Smith), Third Person of the Trinity (Chuck Smith), Second, a warning that Gods manner of distributing reward is not necessarily the manner of men (. What Jesus Did! Thus it was not merely that there was an evil heart of unbelief in the Jew particularly, but law and grace cannot be yoked together. None are hired at the twelfth hour; when life is done, opportunity is done; but "while there is life, there is hope." This parable gives a vivid picture of the kind of thing which could happen in the market-place of any Jewish village or town any day, when the grape harvest was being rushed in to beat the rains. But, as I have stated, the choice and ordination of the twelve apostles had really taken place before the sermon on the mount, though not mentioned in Matthew, but in Mark and Luke. To the proud inhabitant of Jerusalem, both one and the other were but a choice and change within a land of darkness. mother of the sons of Zebedee ( Matthew 27:56). Then comes the boast of Peter, though for others as well as himself. GO GO GO! Your promises are thrilling. There is no greater mistake than to suppose, because there is the richest development of God's grace in new things, that He abandons or weakens natural relationships and authority in their place. ; Continuity with Matthew 19 But what, it may be asked, has this to do with the subject of our parable? Before he goes to Church let him visit the hospital. He went out again about nine o'clock in the morning, and saw others standing idle in the market-place. [1.] "This man blasphemeth." In this we have another striking illustration of the same principle, because this miracle, in point of fact, was wrought long before the healing of the centurion's servant, or even of the leper. No. It is true that in this particular instance Mark no more surrounds the leper with notes of time and place than do Matthew and Luke. Whatever is right I will give you whatever is right you will receive: The landowner promised the earliest workers a days wage (a denarius a day). Again, when we listen to another (and now it is one of His disciples), at once faith shows its feebleness. Had there been a single thing good in Israel, their choicest guides would have stood that test. It tells us of their ambition. The Lord admired the faith superior to Israel's, and took that occasion to intimate the casting out of the sons or natural heirs of the kingdom, and the entrance of many from east and west to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of the heavens. 2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. I. He had been there before. Major Prophets At the beginning of Matthew 10:1-42 He Himself sends forth themselves as labourers. And they joined the crowd following Him on up to Jerusalem.Remember at this point the heart of Jesus is very heavy, because He knows that He soon is going to be betrayed, mocked, scourged, crucified. And still is he betrayed! Historical Books "And forthwith when they were come out of the synagogue they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John; but Simon's wife's mother was sick of a fever, and anon they tell Him of her. [At the end of his parable about the Kingdom of Heaven being like workers hired at different times during the day, Jesus said,] "So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.". A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage. He calls him friend, for in reasoning with others we should use soft words and hard arguments; if our inferiors are peevish and provoking, yet we should not thereby be put into a passion, but speak calmly to them. LOVE'S ANSWER TO NEED'S APPEAL ( Matthew 20:29-34 ). [2.] Saul saw that David prospered, and he eyed him,1 Samuel 18:9; 1 Samuel 18:15. Many be called, but few chosen - The meaning of this, in this connection, I take to be simply this: Many are called into my kingdom; they come and labor as I command them; many of them are comparatively unknown and obscure; yet they are real Christians, and shall all receive the proper reward. But at the same time it is plain, although He bore the consciousness of the vast change He was introducing, and expressed it thus fully and early in the history, nothing turned away His heart from Israel. At the close of this chapter 9, in His deep compassion He bids the disciples pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers into His harvest. None the less does the Lord uphold it, purged of what accretions had come in to obscure its original and proper character. It is easy to sympathize with these who had worked all day. When we are converted, we become members of Christs living body; and as we grow in grace, and get the true spirit that permeates that body, we shall say, when any member of it is honored, This is honor for usIf any brother shall be greatly honored of God, I feel honored in his honor. In this he had laboured, as he said, from his youth up: "What lack I yet?" d. Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve: Real ministry is done for the benefit of those ministered to, not for the benefit of the minister. Challenge the Adventurer within you! Origen said it was the devil; Gregory of Nyssa objected that this put the devil on the same level as God, and allowed the devil to dictate terms to God. That they might mock me, scourge me, and crucify me, but I will rise again on the third day.Now again whenever Jesus talked to His disciples about His death, this thought was so repulsive to them, their minds just turned off, and they never heard, "I am going to rise again on the third day." The Gentiles came in at the eleventh hour, but it was because the gospel had not been before preached to them. "Come, come from this market-place.". GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point I do not pretend to say this was the only purpose served; far be it from me to think of restraining the Spirit of God within the narrow bounds of our vision. The rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, but it should be different among the people of God. Oh, you have to love the mothers, don't you? He came not to be served, but to serve. Laborers in the Vineyard. "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice." Far from lowering the position of His servant, He declares there was none greater among mortal men. A man who wanted to work came there first thing in the morning, carrying his tools, and waited until someone hired him. That is on the debit side of the account of the disciples; but there is much on the credit side. 97. This was testing matters more closely. The Church, which is His body and bride, has a far more intimate place, even though true of the same persons. "Our Daily Homily: Matthew-Revelation" Volume 5 (Westwood, New Jersey: Revell, 1966), Poole, Matthew "A Commentary on the Holy Bible" Volume 3 (Matthew-Revelation) (London: Banner of Truth Trust, 1969), Spurgeon, Charles Haddon "Commentary on Matthew: The Gospel of the Kingdom" (London: Passmore and Alabaster, Paternoster Buildings, 1893), Spurgeon, Charles Haddon "The New Park Street Pulpit" Volumes 1-6 and "The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit" Volumes 7-63 (Pasadena, Texas: Pilgrim Publications, 1990). This was an entirely normal arrangement. (ii) There is an equally definite warning to the Jews. He said, "Call those fellows to me." He was not called. The Old Testament That's one of the two. Now we see Jesus leaving Jericho, a great multitude of people thronging around Him, and these two blind men hearing the multitude passing by, and observing all of the bustle and activities saying, "what's going on, what's happening?" In Christianity there must always be this invincible optimism in the moment when things are conspiring to drive a man to despair. The pattern is the Son of man saving the lost. "I have seen the children of the world to come (elsewhere (e) it is, of the chamber), , "and they are few".''. The apostle startles at the thought of it; God forbid!Romans 3:5; Romans 3:6.