Jesus's parable uniquely reverses economic logic by having the vineyard owner pay identical wages for unequal work, making generosity rather than merit the kingdom's defining principle.
Matthew 20
Laborers in the Vineyard
1“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who was the master of a household, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
2When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3He went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace.
4He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went their way.
5Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.
6About the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle. He said to them, ‘Why do you stand here all day idle?’
7“They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ “He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and you will receive whatever is right.’
8“When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to the first.’
9“When those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came, they each received a denarius.
10When the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise each received a denarius.
11When they received it, they murmured against the master of the household,
12saying, ‘These last have spent one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat!’
13“But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me for a denarius?
14Take that which is yours, and go your way. It is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you.
15Isn’t it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?’
16So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time
17As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them,
18“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death,
19and will hand him over to the Gentiles to mock, to scourge, and to crucify; and the third day he will be raised up.”
A Mother's Request
20Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, kneeling and asking a certain thing of him.
21He said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand and one on your left hand, in your Kingdom.”
22But Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to him, “We are able.”
23He said to them, “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 hand is not mine to give, but it is for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
24When the ten heard it, they were indignant with the two brothers.
25But Jesus summoned them, and said, “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
26It shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
27Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant,
28even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus Heals Two Blind Men
29As they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.
30Behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, you son of David!”
31The multitude rebuked them, telling them that they should be quiet, but they cried out even more, “Lord, have mercy on us, you son of David!”
32Jesus stood still and called them, and asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”
33They told him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.”
34Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes; and immediately their eyes received their sight, and they followed him.
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Theme
Matthew 20 presents Jesus teaching about the radical nature of God's kingdom through the parable of vineyard workers who all receive equal pay regardless of hours worked, illustrating divine grace over human merit. As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, he delivers his third prediction of his death and resurrection, while his disciples still struggle with worldly ambitions as seen in the request for positions of honor. The chapter concludes with Jesus healing two blind men, demonstrating his compassion and messianic authority even as he journeys toward his passion.
Context
This chapter continues Jesus' journey toward Jerusalem that began in chapter 19, building tension between his teachings about the kingdom and his approaching passion.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-16 Parable of the Vineyard Workers Jesus teaches that God's generosity transcends human concepts of fairness and merit through equal payment for unequal work.
- 17-19 Third Prediction of Death and Resurrection Jesus privately tells his disciples specific details about his coming suffering, death, and resurrection in Jerusalem.
- 20-28 Request for Places of Honor The mother of James and John seeks positions of authority for her sons, prompting Jesus to teach about servant leadership.
- 29-34 Healing of Two Blind Men Jesus demonstrates compassion by restoring sight to two men who cry out for mercy as he leaves Jericho.
Laborers in the Vineyard
20:1–20:16 gospel parable-telling contemplative
Jesus tells the parable of workers in a vineyard who all receive equal pay regardless of hours worked. This illustrates God's generous grace and challenges human concepts of fairness and merit.
person_contrast
Jesus's parable uniquely reverses economic logic by having the vineyard owner pay identical wages for unequal work, making generosity rather than merit the kingdom's defining principle.
Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time
20:17–20:19 gospel speech solemn
Jesus predicts his death and resurrection for the third time, foretelling his betrayal to religious leaders and crucifixion by Gentiles. He emphasizes that he will rise again on the third day.
person_contrast
Jesus's third passion prediction uniquely specifies "Gentiles" as executioners, marking the only time he explicitly identifies non-Jewish authorities as instruments of his death.
A Mother's Request
20:20–20:28 gospel dialogue solemn
The mother of James and John requests positions of honor for her sons in Jesus' kingdom, prompting Jesus to teach about servant leadership and his sacrificial mission. Jesus contrasts worldly authority with kingdom values, emphasizing that greatness comes through service.
person_contrast
Jesus transforms the mother's request for royal thrones into a radical redefinition where "greatness" (megas) appears three times, each time inverting worldly power structures through servanthood.
Jesus Heals Two Blind Men
20:29–20:34 gospel narration hopeful
Two blind men cry out to Jesus for mercy as he leaves Jericho, and despite the crowd's rebuke, Jesus compassionately heals their sight. The men immediately follow Jesus after receiving their healing.
person_contrast
While Jesus typically exercises divine authority and pronounces judgment throughout Matthew's Gospel, here he responds with immediate compassion to persistent faith, physically touching the blind men's eyes rather than commanding from a distance.
Insights
Jesus's third passion prediction uniquely specifies "Gentiles" as executioners, marking the only time he explicitly identifies non-Jewish authorities as instruments of his death.
Jesus transforms the mother's request for royal thrones into a radical redefinition where "greatness" (megas) appears three times, each time inverting worldly power structures through servanthood.
While Jesus typically exercises divine authority and pronounces judgment throughout Matthew's Gospel, here he responds with immediate compassion to persistent faith, physically touching the blind men's eyes rather than commanding from a distance.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Matthew 20:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 13:52 Lexical
He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a ho…
Matthew 25:1 Lexical
“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Matthew 21:33 Lexical
“Hear another parable. There was a man who was a master of a household who planted a vineyard, set a hedge about it, dug…
Matthew 13:47 Lexical
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some fish of every kind,
Matthew 13:44 Lexical
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid. In his joy, he goes and s…
Matthew 20:3 4 references
Lexicals 4
Acts 16:19 Lexical
But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the mark…
Revelation 14:15 Lexical
Another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Send your sickle and reap,…
John 18:16 Lexical
but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke…
Revelation 20:12 Lexical
I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and they opened books. Another book was opened, whi…
Matthew 20:5 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 27:45 Lexical
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
Mark 15:33 Lexical
When the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
Luke 23:44 Lexical
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
Matthew 27:46 Lexical
About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why…
Acts 10:3 Lexical
At about the ninth hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him and saying to him, “Corneli…
Matthew 20:6 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 12:36 Lexical
I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
Luke 9:12 Lexical
The day began to wear away; and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the sur…
John 18:16 Lexical
but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke…
Luke 4:14 Lexical
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and news about him spread through all the surrounding area.
Luke 7:17 Lexical
This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.
Matthew 20:8 4 references
Lexicals 4
Luke 12:59 Lexical
I tell you, you will by no means get out of there until you have paid the very last penny.”
Matthew 5:26 Lexical
Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there until you have paid the last penny.
Luke 14:9 Lexical
and he who invited both of you would come and tell you, ‘Make room for this person.’ Then you would begin, with shame, t…
Matthew 27:64 Lexical
Command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples come at night and steal h…
Matthew 20:12 1 reference
Matthew 20:14 1 reference
Matthew 20:15 1 reference
Matthew 20:16 2 references
Matthew 20:17 1 reference
Matthew 20:18 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 10:33 Lexical
“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes. They will…
Mark 11:27 Lexical
They came again to Jerusalem, and as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came t…
Matthew 16:21 Lexical
From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, c…
Mark 15:1 Lexical
Immediately in the morning the chief priests, with the elders, scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation, boun…
Luke 24:20 Lexical
and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
Matthew 20:19 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 24:7 Lexical
saying that the Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise ag…
Luke 18:33 Lexical
They will scourge and kill him. On the third day, he will rise again.”
Luke 18:32 Lexical
For he will be delivered up to the Gentiles, will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit on.
Matthew 26:2 Lexical
“You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”
Mark 10:34 Lexical
They will mock him, spit on him, scourge him, and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”
Matthew 20:20 3 references
Lexicals 3
Mark 10:35 Lexical
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask.”
Matthew 27:56 Lexical
Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Matthew 27:58 Lexical
This man went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given up.
Matthew 20:21 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 27:38 Lexical
Then there were two robbers crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on the left.
Mark 15:27 Lexical
With him they crucified two robbers, one on his right hand, and one on his left.
Mark 10:40 Lexical
but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared.”
Mark 10:37 Lexical
They said to him, “Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left hand, in your glory.”
Hebrews 10:12 Lexical
but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God,
Matthew 20:22 4 references
Lexicals 4
Mark 10:38 Lexical
But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be bapti…
1 Corinthians 10:21 Lexical
You can’t both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can’t both partake of the table of the Lord and of t…
Mark 10:39 Lexical
They said to him, “We are able.” Jesus said to them, “You shall indeed drink the cup that I drink, and you shall be bapt…
John 4:10 Lexical
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked…
Matthew 20:23 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 10:40 Lexical
but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared.”
John 18:11 Lexical
Jesus therefore said to Peter, “Put the sword into its sheath. The cup which the Father has given me, shall I not surely…
Matthew 25:33 Lexical
He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Matthew 26:27 Lexical
He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it,
Mark 14:23 Lexical
He took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it.
Matthew 20:24 1 reference
Matthew 20:25 1 reference
Matthew 20:26 1 reference
Matthew 20:27 2 references
Matthew 20:28 2 references
Matthew 20:29 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 10:46 Lexical
They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimae…
Matthew 8:1 Lexical
When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.
Matthew 19:2 Lexical
Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.
Matthew 12:15 Lexical
Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew from there. Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all,
Matthew 4:25 Lexical
Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
Matthew 20:30 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 9:27 Lexical
As Jesus passed by from there, two blind men followed him, calling out and saying, “Have mercy on us, son of David!”
Mark 10:47 Lexical
When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!”
Luke 18:35 Lexical
As he came near Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road, begging.
Mark 10:46 Lexical
They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimae…
Mark 10:48 Lexical
Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!”
Matthew 20:31 3 references
Lexicals 3
Mark 10:48 Lexical
Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!”
Luke 18:39 Lexical
Those who led the way rebuked him, that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “You son of David, have mercy…
Mark 4:39 Lexical
He awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was a great calm.
Matthew 20:34 1 reference
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Lemma
Morphology
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
Translation Notes
Key Passages
Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter
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Timeline
Crucifixion
~30 ADJesus' death by crucifixion on Golgotha, bearing the sins of humanity as the ultimate sacrifice. This central Christian event provides atonement and reconciliation between God and mankind.
Jesus' third prediction specifically mentions crucifixion by Gentiles after betrayal
Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time