The Parable Of The Laborers

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a house-holder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. (Matthew 20:1)

Kingdom = God's

Householder = Master

Who is the master of the house? Jesus

To hire = Calling of the disciples.  We are commissioned called laborers to work; see

Matthew 28:16-28

Into his vineyard = The world where the gospel is to be taken i.e. the Jews, the unenlightened ones of Matthew 11:25

And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

(Matthew 20:2)

The laborers = The twelve apostles the first called sent into his vineyard (The Jews First).

And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace.

(Matthew 20:3)

The third hour (9 a.m.), the hour name in Pentecost Acts 2:15.

Others = Not thee the first hour.  Other laborers were engaged in Acts 4:36, Acts 6:1,5,

Acts 8:4,12, Acts 9:10,25,27,30.

And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you.  And they went their way. (Matthew 20:4)

Right = Just

Give pay = The pay is eternal life.

Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. (Matthew 20:5)

Sixth hour (12 noon) = The hour of the vision when Peter was sent to the Gentiles at Cesarea.

Acts 10:9

Ninth hour (3 p.m.) = The hour when the angel appeared to Cornelius (Acts 10:3), and other became laborers (Acts 21:16)

And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?  (Matthew 20:6)

Eleventh hour (5 p.m.) = As the nation refused the call to repent (Acts 28:16-31).  The eleventh hour is still future, awaiting the proclamation foretold in (Acts 24:14-23).

They say unto him, Because no man hat hired us, He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. (Matthew 20:7)

No man = No one hath hired us.  These were the heralds of the gospel of the kingdom, immediately before the close of the dispensation of the Acts.

Dispensation is not a period or epoch.  But a mode of dealing an arrangement or administration of affair, i.e. to be a steward.  "Dispensation" is the ordering of events under Divine Authority.

So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. (Matthew 8:8)

Even = Refers to the Last Judgement, and it is clearly the time of reckoning and of reward spoken in (Matthew 19:29)

And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

(Matthew 20:9)

But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. (Matthew 20:10)

The Jews thought they should receive more because of who they are.  It is written there is no difference between Jew and Gentile.  Furthermore, God is not a respecter of persons.  You don't work you don't get paid.

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. (Matthew 19:29)

And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house.

(Matthew 20:11)

Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. (Matthew 20:12)

See Romans 11:1-24 God's Chosen People & Two Kinds of Branches

But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? (Matthew 20:13)

Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. (Matthew 20:14)

Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own?  Is thine eye evil because I am good?

(Matthew 20:15)

So the last shall be first, and the first last; for many be called, but few chosen.

(Matthew 20:16)

The meaning of this parable is related to Peter's question in Matthew 19:27.  The lesson that Jesus is teaching with this parable hinges upon the distinction between those laborers who were hired, and those who were not.  The first group of workers was hired to do twelve hours work for specific sum of money.  All the others were not hired, but call with a promise from the householder that he would reward them justly according to his own estimation.  The Lord wants His servants (Christians) to serve and leave the size of the reward up to Him. With that in mind then you will be called a Friend as well.

(taken in part from Key Bible NKJV)

In this technology driven world the social media  is becoming the new wave church.  This media does not replace any part of God's Great Commission.  It is now and always will be important to teach sound doctrine.  When Jesus said, "go" he meant just that.

Rev. Dr. Dwight N. Hopkins had this to say about transformation. "Transformation requires work; work requires discipline; discipline requires sacrifice; sacrifice requires motivation from a higher calling; a calling requires a recognition of being loved; being loved empowers one to love oneself and thereby free other from the external structures and internal demons in their lives."

The work does not stop it requires becoming a wiser fisherman.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16)

That the man of God may be perfect (complete) thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

(2 Timothy 3:17)