Matthew 20

King James Version

Full text for Matthew Chapter 20

1¶ ‹For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man [that is] an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.›

2‹And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.›

3‹And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,›

4‹And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.›

5‹Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.›

6‹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?›

7‹They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, [that] shall ye receive.›

8‹So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them [their] hire, beginning from the last unto the first.›

9‹And when they came that [were hired] about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.›

10‹But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.›

11‹And when they had received [it], they murmured against the goodman of the house,›

12‹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.›

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

14‹Take [that] thine [is], and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.›

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

16‹So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.›

17¶ And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,

18‹Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,›

19‹And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify [him]: and the third day he shall rise again.›

20¶ Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping [him], and desiring a certain thing of him.

21And he said unto her, ‹What wilt thou?› She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

22But Jesus answered and said, ‹Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?› They say unto him, We are able.

23And he saith unto them, ‹Ye shall drink indeed of 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, but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared of my Father.›

24And when the ten heard [it], they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

25But Jesus called them [unto him], and said, ‹Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.›

26‹But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;›

27‹And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:›

28‹Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.›

29¶ And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

30And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, [thou] Son of David.

31And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, [thou] Son of David.

32And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, ‹What will ye that I shall do unto you?›

33They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.

34So Jesus had compassion [on them], and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Matthew 20 begins with the parable of the labourers in the vineyard, where all, regardless of hours worked, receive the same wage, illustrating God's sovereign generosity and the principle that the last shall be first. Jesus then foretells his crucifixion and resurrection to his disciples. Following this, he teaches on humble servanthood after the mother of James and John requests positions of honour for her sons, emphasizing that the Son of man came to minister and give his life as a ransom. The chapter concludes with Jesus healing two blind men near Jericho who earnestly seek his mercy.

Medium Summary

The chapter opens with the parable of the householder who hires labourers at various times throughout the day, promising a penny to the first and "whatsoever is right" to the later hires. At the day's end, all labourers, from those hired at the eleventh hour to those hired early, receive a penny, leading to murmuring from the first who felt they deserved more. The householder defends his right to be generous, asserting his sovereignty over his own resources and concluding that "the last shall be first, and the first last." Subsequently, Jesus takes his disciples aside to reveal his impending betrayal, condemnation, crucifixion by the Gentiles, and his resurrection on the third day. Shortly after, the mother of James and John requests that her sons sit at Jesus' right and left hand in his kingdom, prompting Jesus to question their readiness to share his suffering. He then teaches the disciples about true greatness, contrasting the dominion of Gentile rulers with the humble service expected among his followers, stating that the Son of man came to minister and offer his life as a ransom. Finally, as Jesus departs from Jericho, two persistent blind men call out to him as the Son of David, and Jesus, moved with compassion, restores their sight, after which they follow him.

Long Summary

Matthew 20 commences with the parable of the labourers in the vineyard, likening the kingdom of heaven to a householder who hires men at different hours of the day—early, third, sixth, ninth, and eleventh. Those hired first agree to a penny, while later hires are promised "whatsoever is right." At the close of the day, the steward is instructed to pay all labourers, beginning with the last. Each man receives a penny, which causes the labourers hired early to murmur, believing they should have received more for their longer toil and bearing the "burden and heat of the day." The householder responds by asserting his right to be generous with his own, reminding them of their agreed wage and questioning their "evil eye" due to his goodness. This parable concludes with the significant statement that "the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." Moving on, Jesus, on his way to Jerusalem, takes his twelve disciples apart and explicitly foretells his imminent suffering. He reveals that he will be betrayed to the chief priests and scribes, condemned to death, and then delivered to the Gentiles to be mocked, scourged, and crucified, but importantly, he will rise again on the third day. Soon after, the mother of Zebedee's children, James and John, approaches Jesus with her sons, requesting that they be granted positions of honour, sitting on his right and left hand in his kingdom. Jesus challenges them, asking if they are able to drink of his cup and be baptized with his baptism, which they affirm. He confirms they will indeed share his suffering but clarifies that the allocation of such esteemed positions is not his to give, but belongs to those for whom it is prepared by his Father. The other ten disciples become indignant at this request. Jesus then calls them together to teach them a crucial lesson on leadership and servanthood, contrasting the Gentile rulers who exercise dominion with the principle that among his followers, true greatness is found in being a minister or servant. He underscores this by stating that the Son of man himself came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. The chapter concludes as Jesus and his disciples depart from Jericho, followed by a great multitude. Two blind men sitting by the wayside, hearing of Jesus' passing, persistently cry out for mercy, addressing him as "O Lord, thou Son of David." Despite being rebuked by the crowd to be silent, they cry out even more vehemently. Jesus stops, calls them, and asks what they desire. Upon their request for sight, Jesus, moved with compassion, touches their eyes, and immediately they receive their sight and follow him.

Core Concepts

  • Divine Sovereignty and GenerosityIllustrated in the parable of the labourers, the householder demonstrates his right to be generous with his own resources, paying all labourers the same wage regardless of their hours worked, highlighting God's unmerited favour.
  • The Last Shall Be FirstThis principle, stated at the conclusion of the parable, signifies a reversal of human expectations and priorities in the kingdom of heaven, where those who come later or are considered least may receive equal or greater reward.
  • Prophecy of Christ's Passion and ResurrectionJesus explicitly foretells his betrayal, condemnation, suffering, crucifixion by the Gentiles, and his triumphant resurrection on the third day, revealing his divine foreknowledge and purpose.
  • Humble ServanthoodIn response to the disciples' ambition for high positions, Jesus teaches that true greatness in his kingdom is not found in exercising dominion like Gentile rulers, but in becoming a minister or servant to others.
  • Ransom for ManyJesus declares his ultimate purpose is "to give his life a ransom for many," signifying his atoning sacrifice as a means of redemption and liberation from sin.
  • Faith and HealingThe two blind men demonstrate persistent faith by crying out to Jesus as the "Son of David" despite the crowd's rebuke, leading to Jesus' compassionate healing and the restoration of their sight.
  • Following JesusAfter receiving their sight, the two formerly blind men immediately follow Jesus, illustrating the transformative power of encountering Christ and the subsequent commitment to discipleship.