The direct reply to Peter's question is found in all three accounts; the parable is peculiar to Matthew. It loses most of its seeming difficulties, when connected with the previous conversation. The question of Peter had reference to a _preeminent_ reward, and after the promise to them (which is cha... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:1. A MAN THAT IS A HOUSEHOLDER. The ‘householder' signifies God; the ‘vineyard' the kingdom of heaven (comp. Isaiah 5:1-7; Song of Solomon 8:12 ); the ‘steward' (Matthew 20:8) Chris; the ‘twelfth hour' of the day, or the evening, the coming of Christ; the other ‘hours' the different perio... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:2. FOR A PENNY, or ‘shilling' _(denarius)._ Between 14 and 15 cents, the usual pay for a day's labor. Explanations: The general idea is of reward, but with a special reference to temporal rewards, which may be received while eternal life is lost. Inconsistent with the dignity of the parab... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:3. THIRD HOUR. About nine o'clock in the morning, when the market-place would be full. IDLE. ‘The greatest man of business on the market-place of the world is a mere idle gazer' (Stier). On the special interpretations of the different hours, see the close of the section.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:4. WHATSOEVER IF RIGHT I WILL GIVE YOU. The wages promised indefinite; the correct reading in Matthew 20:7 omits all promise of reward. The parable illustrates the truth that salvation is of grace.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:7. BECAUSE NO MAN HIRED US. The eleventh hour laborers are accepted, but they were mainly those who had no opportunity at an earlier period.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:8. HIS STEWARD. Christ, the overseer of the house of God, entrusted with the whole economy of salvation including the distribution of the final reward (Hebrews 3:6; John 5:27.; Revelation 2:7; Revelation 2:10; Revelation 2:17; Revelation 2:28, etc.). It was the Jewish custom to pay labore... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:9. THEY RECEIVED EVERY MAN A PENNY, or ‘shilling.' More than they expected. God does not measure His reward by the length of man's life, but by the fidelity of his services, for the labor is not to earn the reward but to prepare for it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:12. THESE LAST SPENT ONE HOUR, etc. A well-grounded complaint, if salvation were of works.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:13. DIDST THOU NOT AGREE WITH ME? The legal claim is answered in a legal way.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:14. GO THY WAY. This does not necessarily imply that the first were finally rejected, receiving only the temporal good they bargained for. I WILL GIVE ‘it is my will or pleasure to give.' The ground is the wish of the householder.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:15. OR IS THINE EYE EVIL. Envy was the real motive, and the envy was occasioned by the kindness of the householder: BECAUSE I AM GOOD, or ‘kind.'... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:16. The proverbial expression of chap. Matthew 19:30, recurs with a different order. The parable, therefore, illustrates the truth that the order in the calling of individuals and nations will in many (not all) cases be reversed in their final position in heaven. An encouragement to those... [ Continue Reading ]
CHRONOLOGY. The final journey to Jerusalem begins. The approach of His death calls for a third prediction to the Twelve, more specific in its details. The _crucifixion_ is mentioned only in Matthew's account. On the way from Perea (see note at the beginning of chap. 19) to Jericho, Salome, the wife... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:17. AND AS JESUS WAS GOING UP TO JERUSALEM. Mark (Mark 10:32) is more graphic. He hastened before them, arousing their amazement and fear. HE TOOK THE TWELVE DISCIPLES APART. Referred, incorrectly, by some to the retirement to Ephraim (John 11:54).... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:18. WE GO UP TO JERUSALEM. On the Journey to death which He had previously predicted (chap. Matthew 16:21). DELIVERED ONTO THE CHIEF PRIESTS. More detailed than chap. Matthew 17:22: ‘into the hands of men.' A double betrayal is implied: first by His professed friends to His declared ene... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:20. THE MOTHER OF THE SONS OF ZEBEDEE. Salome, according to an ancient tradition, the daughter of Joseph by a previous marriage; more probably the sister of Mary the mother of Jesus. Comp. John 19:25, and notes on chap. Matthew 4:21; Matthew 10:2; Matthew 13:55. The request was suggested... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:21. ONE ON THY RIGHT HAND, AND ONE ON THY LEFT HAND IN THY KINGDOM. The highest places of honor, implying special authority also, as is indicated by the answer (Matthew 20:25). The request was based upon ignorance (comp. Matthew 20:22), and prompted by ambition (comp. Matthew 20:25-27), h... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:22. YE KNOW NOT WHAT YE ASK. Addressed to James and John, who had prompted their mother. The request could scarcely have been occasioned by jealousy of Peter. Had he been appointed ‘primate,' this would have been an opportunity for upholding him in that position. When John saw the crucifi... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:23. MY CUP INDEED YE SHALL DRINK. James was the first martyr among the Twelve; John died a natural death at an advanced age, but in a spiritual sense his was the longest martyrdom. IS NOT MINE, etc. Either, it is not a boon to be gained by solicitation; or, it is not in my power, but it... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:24. THE TEN, including Matthew who writes the account. A proof of humility and truthfulness. THEY WERE SORE DISPLEASED CONCERNING. This displeasure was no more praiseworthy than the ambition of the two, and was speedily discountenanced (comp. Mark 10:41-42).... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:25. THE RULERS OF THE GENTILES, _i.e. ‘_ secular princes.' The Jewish form of government, as ordained by God, was designed to exclude tyranny. EXERCISE LORDSHIP, lord it, OVER THEM, _i.e.,_ exercise tyrannical and arbitrary power. THEIR GREAT ONES. Either conquerors and usurpers, or t... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:26. But not to shall it be among you. To maintain superiority of rank by force is not Christian, even if encouraged by ecclesiastical organizations. It is worst of all in such organizations, for freedom in the Christian communion is necessary to true civil freedom. BUT WHOSOEVER WOULD B... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:28. EVEN AT THE SON OF MAN. What He asked of them was what He did Himself. CAME. His appearing in the world was NOT TO BE MINISTERED UNTO, NOT TO BE PERSONALLY SERVED BY others, nor to exercise an external authority for His own external interest, BUT TO MINISTER, to serve others, as His... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:29. AND AT THEY WENT OUT OF JERICHO. Comp. Mark 10:46; Luke 18:35. Probably after the conversation just mentioned our Lora entered Jericho, and meeting a multitude there passed out of the city with them and returned again to encounter Zaccheus (Luke 19:2-10). On this excursion He passed t... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:30. TWO BLIND MEN. Mark and Luke mention but one (‘blind Bartimeus, the son of Timeus'), probably a well-known person, and hence especially mentioned. LORD, HAVE MERCY ON US, THOU SON OF DAVID, the better supported order.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:31. THAT THEY SHOULD HOLD THEIR PEACE. The multitude did not object to the title, ‘son of David' (comp. chap. Matthew 21:9), but thought the cry would annoy our Lord. BUT THEY CRIED THE MORE. In persistent faith.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:32. AND JESUS STOOD STILL. He now allows Himself to be publicly called: ‘Son of David;' comp. His previous conduct in a similar case (chap. Matthew 9:27-28). Mark adds that those about the blind man said: ‘Be of good courage, rise; He calleth thee,' showing that they too responded to the... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 20:34. TOUCHED THEIR EYES. Peculiar to Matthew: the other Gospels insert ： ‘Thy faith hath saved thee.' The question of Matthew 20:32 was designed to call forth an expression of this faith. ‘Thousands have read this simple and touching story as a truthful history of their own spiritual blin... [ Continue Reading ]