FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN ... - The word “for” shows that this chapter should have been connected with the preceding. The parable was spoken expressly to illustrate the sentiment in the last verse of that chapter: “Many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.” The kingdom of heave... [ Continue Reading ]
A PENNY A DAY - The coin here referred to was a Roman coin, equal in value, at different periods, to 15 cents or 17 cents (7 1/2 d. to 8 1/2 d.) (circa 1880’s). The original denotes the Roman denarius δηνάριον dēnarion, a silver coin, which was originally equivalent to ten ases (a brass Roman coin... [ Continue Reading ]
ABOUT THE THIRD HOUR - The Jews divided their days into twelve equal parts, or hours, beginning at sunrise and ending at sunset. This was, therefore about nine o’clock in the morning. STANDING IDLE IN THE MARKET-PLACE - A place where provisions are sold in towns. Of course, many resort to such plac... [ Continue Reading ]
WHATSOEVER IS RIGHT - Whatsoever it shall appear you can earn. The contract with the first was definite; with this one it depended on the judgment of the employer.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SIXTH AND NINTH HOUR - That is, about twelve o’clock and three o’clock.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ELEVENTH HOUR - About five o’clock in the afternoon, or when there was but one working hour of the day left.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN EVEN WAS COME - That is, when the twelfth hour had come; the day was ended, and the time of payment was come. THE STEWARD - A steward is one who transacts business in the place of another. He was one who had the administration of affairs in the absence of the householder, who provided for the... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY RECEIVED EVERY MAN A PENNY - There was no agreement how much they should receive, but merely that justice should be done, Matthew 20:4, Matthew 20:7. The householder supposed they had earned it, or chose to make a present to them to compensate for the loss of the first part of the day, when the... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SUPPOSED THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED MORE - They had worked longer - they had been in the heat; they supposed that it was his intention to pay them, not according to contract, but according to the time of the labor.... [ Continue Reading ]
MURMURED - Complained; found fault with. THE GOODMAN OF THE HOUSE - The original here is the same word which in Matthew 20:1 is translated householder, and should have been so translated here. It is the old English way of denoting the father of a family. It expresses no moral quality.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BURDEN AND HEAT OF THE DAY - The burden means the heavy labor, the severe toil. We have continued at that toil in the heat of the day. The others had worked only a little while, and that in the cool of the evening, and when it was fax more pleasant and much less fatiguing.... [ Continue Reading ]
FRIEND, I DO THEE NO WRONG - I have fully complied with the contract. We had an agreement: I have paid all that I promised. If I choose to give a penny to another man if he labors little or not at all if I should choose to give all my property away to others, it would not affect this contract with y... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE THAT THINE IS - Take what is justly due to you what is properly your own.... [ Continue Reading ]
IS THINE WE EVIL BECAUSE I AM GOOD? - The Hebrews used the word evil, when applied to the eye, to denote one envious and malicious, Deuteronomy 15:9; Proverbs 23:6. The eye is called evil in such cases, because envy and malice show themselves directly in the eye. No passions are so fully expressed b... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST ... - This is the moral or scope of the parable. “To teach this it was spoken.” Many that, in the order of time, are brought last into the kingdom, shall be first in the rewards. Higher proportionate rewards shall be given to them than to others. “To all justice shall be d... [ Continue Reading ]
See also Mark 10:32; Luke 18:31. AND JESUS, GOING UP TO JERUSALEM - That is, doubtless, to the Passover. This journey was from the east side of Jordan. See the notes at Matthew 19:1. At this time he was on this journey to Jerusalem, probably not far from Jericho. This was his last journey to Jerusa... [ Continue Reading ]
See also Mark 10:35. Matthew 20:20 THEN CAME TO HIM GIVE MOTHER OF ZEBEDEE’S CHILDREN ... - This was probably Salome, Mark 15:40; Mark 16:1. WITH HER SONS - The names of these sons were James and John, Mark 10:35 Mark says they came and made the request. That is, they made it, as appears from Mat... [ Continue Reading ]
See Mark 10:46, and Luke 18:35; Luke 19:1, where this account of his restoring to sight two blind men is also recorded. “And as they departed from Jericho.” This was a large town about eight miles west of the Jordan, and about 19 miles northeast from Jerusalem. Near to this city the Israelites cross... [ Continue Reading ]