Matthew 20

Matthew 20 continues Jesus' teaching about the kingdom of heaven, emphasizing the principles of God's grace, justice, and humility. Through the parable of the workers in the vineyard, Jesus explains that God's generosity does not always align with human expectations of fairness. This chapter also includes Jesus' prediction of His suffering, death, and resurrection, a reminder of the sacrificial nature of His mission. The chapter ends with an account of Jesus healing two blind men, displaying His compassion and power.

Matthew 20:1-10 (NKJV)
1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius 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 to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went.
5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’
7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’
8 So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’
9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius.
10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius.

Jesus’ parable of the vineyard workers illustrates God’s grace and generosity. The landowner represents God, who freely gives rewards according to His own mercy, not human merit. The workers hired early in the day expected more, yet all received the same wage, showing that God’s reward is not based on the length of service or human fairness, but on His gracious decision to bless all who serve Him. This parable emphasizes that in God’s kingdom, His generosity often challenges human standards of fairness.

Matthew 20:11-16 (NKJV)
11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner,
12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’
13 But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?
14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you.
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’
16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.

Jesus shares the parable of the workers in the vineyard to illustrate how God's kingdom operates according to grace, not merit. In the parable, a landowner hires workers at different times of the day, and at the end of the day, he pays all workers the same wage, regardless of how long they worked. The workers hired first, who worked the longest hours in the heat, complain about receiving the same pay as those who worked only one hour. The landowner responds by reminding them that they agreed to the wage and that he has the right to do what he wants with his money, showing that his generosity is not unjust. He then asks, “Is your eye evil because I am good?” implying that their jealousy reveals a lack of generosity and understanding of God’s grace. The parable ends with the statement, “So the last will be first, and the first last,” emphasizing that in God’s kingdom, the usual human standards of reward are upended. This reflects a reversal of expectations where those who may seem least deserving by human standards, those who are humble or lowly in the world’s eyes, will be exalted, and those who are “first” in the world’s ranking may be humbled. The passage highlights that while salvation is the same for all who believe, God will give different levels of reward in eternal life based on one’s faithfulness, humility, and service. Those who serve others humbly and sacrificially, even if they appear last or least in the eyes of the world, will be honored in the kingdom of heaven. This principle of divine generosity and the reversal of human status teaches that God’s rewards are not earned by how much one has done or how prominent they are but by how faithfully they respond to God’s call and live out His will, especially in humble service to others. The parable challenges believers to abandon earthly concepts of fairness and embrace the idea that the humble and selfless will receive the greatest rewards in God’s kingdom.

Matthew 20:17-19 (NKJV)
17 Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them,
18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death,
19 and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.”

Jesus gives a clear prediction of His impending suffering, death, and resurrection. This is the third time He has warned His disciples, preparing them for the difficult events ahead. His description includes betrayal, condemnation, and crucifixion, showing His awareness of what awaits Him and His willingness to endure it for the sake of humanity.

Matthew 20:20-23 (NKJV)
20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.
21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”
22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. 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.”
23 So He 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 is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”

The mother of James and John requests that her sons sit at Jesus’ right and left hand in His kingdom, seeking positions of honor. Jesus responds by challenging their understanding of what such a request entails, asking if they are able to endure the suffering ("drink the cup") He is about to face, to which they confidently agree. Jesus acknowledges that they will share in His suffering but clarifies that granting such positions is not His to give; it is reserved by the Father for those He has prepared. This passage highlights the cost of discipleship, the sovereignty of God, and that true greatness in the kingdom is not about personal ambition but submitting to God’s will and serving others.

Matthew 20:24-28 (NKJV)
24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers.
25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.
26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.
27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Jesus contrasts worldly leadership with kingdom principles, teaching that greatness in God’s kingdom requires humility and service. He calls His followers to a life of self-sacrifice, following His example of servanthood. Jesus reveals His mission to “give His life a ransom for many,” highlighting the ultimate act of service: His sacrificial death.

Matthew 20:29-34 (NKJV)
29 Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him.
30 And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!”
31 Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!”
32 So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
33 They said to Him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.”
34 So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.

The healing of the two blind men highlights Jesus’ compassion and power. Despite the crowd’s attempt to silence them, the blind men persist, addressing Jesus as the “Son of David,” acknowledging His Messianic role. Jesus’ response, filled with compassion, not only restores their sight but also affirms His role as the merciful Savior who meets the needs of those who seek Him in faith.