Matthew 20

Matthew 20:1

FOr] This illative particle, and the repeating of the end of this last chapter, in v. 16 of this chap. shews, that this parable is brought to expound the former conclusion.

the kingdom of heaven] The equity of Gods dispensation in the kingdom of heaven, is as if an housholder, &c.

early in the morning] Gr. together with the morning: that is, as soon as it was day. God, from the beginning of the world, had a care of providing workmen for his vineyard.

Matthew 20:2

when he had agreed] See on chap. 18. 19.

for a peny] The Roman peny is the eighth part of an ounce, which, after five shillings the ounce, is seven pence half peny, chap. 18. 28.

Matthew 20:3

about the third hour] This shews the continuance of Gods care for his Church to the end, because he is compared to an husbandman that still looks out for workmen.

stnding idle in the market-place] Whither idle persons used to resort, chap. 11. 16. Acts 17:5. and where such are wont to wait as expect or desire employment.

Matthew 20:4

I will give you] God promiseth a reward to his servants, to encourage them to the work.

Matthew 20:5

about the sixth and ninth hour] See on v. 3.

Matthew 20:6

about the eleventh hour] An hour before sun-set, or somewhat more: for the first hour began at the sun-rising in the equinoctial, that is, at six a clock, with us.

Matthew 20:7

that shall ye receive] See on v. 4.

Matthew 20:8

So when even was come] This need not be applied, as being rather to fill up the parable, then otherwise: yet it is true, that God will in like manner appoint Christ, in the end of the world, to reward all his ministers and people for all their service done here in Gods Church, chap. 16. 27.

Matthew 20:9

they received every man a peny] As much as was promised to the first, and more then they could expect.

Matthew 20:10

they supposed] We must not think that any that go to heaven will complain that others there have too much, or themselves too little: but this is added, to give occasion, in the words following, to shew, That Gods liberality, in rewarding some that have laboured lesse then others, is no prejudice to his truth or justice in rewarding others.

Matthew 20:12

have wrought but one hour] Or, have continued one hour onely.

and thou hast made them] Or, yet thou hast made them. So is this particle used, Luke 3:20.

the burden and heat] Who have taken more pains, and passed thorow greater difficulties.

Matthew 20:13

I do thee no wrong] See on v. 10.

Matthew 20:14

Take that is thine] By agreement, v. 2, 13. Gods people shall receive all that God doth promise them.

Matthew 20:15

to do what I will with mine own] I give none of thine away, nor any mans else. I have payed thee what I agreed with thee for, and thou hast no cause to complain of me, for giving what I please out of mine own estate to others.

Is thine eye evil] Doest thou envie at my liberality to them, when I do thee no wrong? The Hebrews, by an evil eye, mean envie, which appears chiefly in the eyes, Deuteronomy 15:9. Proverbs 23:6. See notes on chap. 6. 23.

Matthew 20:16

So the last] See on chap. 19. 30.

for many] Some come short of that which others, inferiour to them in the account of the world, obtain, because they are onely outwardly called, by the word, but are not from eternity chosen by God to eternall life. Or, the last shall have equall reward with the first, because, though there are many who are externally called; yet there are but few that go to heaven; and God hath glory enough there for them all.

Matthew 20:17

And Jesus] Mark 10:32. Luke 18. 31.

going up to Jerusalem] Either because it stood somewhat higher then the plain about it, Jeremiah 17:3. and Jeremiah 21:13. Or, as men are said to go up to some chief place of a countrey, or head city of a kingdom. Howbeit the word of ascending is oft-times simply, for going or travelling to a place, 1 Kings 22:4; 1 Kings 22:6; 1 Kings 22:12. Jeremiah 34:21. and Jeremiah 37:5.

apart in the way] To acquaint them privately with his death and resurrection, who were to be speciall witnesses of it, Acts 10:41.

Matthew 20:18

we go up to Jerusalem] Christ sheweth his readinesse to suffer for us, by his words here, and by going before them, Mark 10:32.

the Son of man shall be betrayed] He had acquainted them with his passion twice before, chap. 16. 21. and 17. 22, 23. yet now he acquaints them with it again, because they were amazed that he would go among his enemies, and afraid what would become of themselves, Mark 10:32. He tells them therefore the issue beforehand again, that it might not be strange to them when it comes, which was so often foretold them: and that, when they saw one part of this prediction foretold in his death, they need not doubt of his fulfilling the other part in his resurrection. The first time, he told them of his death in generall: the second time, of the way of effecting it; to wit, by treason: here, he acquaints them with the particular manner of it, By condemnation and crucifying: and, in his last supper, he reveals the traitour to them.

unto the chief priests] Who, when they grew bad, were usually most forward and eager in persecuting Gods ministers and messengers, Jeremiah 20:1. and Jeremiah 26:8. Acts 4:1. and Acts 5:17.

shall condemn him] Shall cause him to be condemned; for they had no power to do it themselves, chap. 27. 1. John 18:31.

Matthew 20:19

And shall deliver him] John 18:32. See notes on verse 18.

to mock] First, they shall afflict him with bad words; then, with blowes; last of all, with death.

and the third day] Though he die an ignominious death, yet be not out of heart; for, within a very short time, he shall rise again.

he shall rise again] Gr. stand up again, Job 19:25. Ezekiel 37:10.

Matthew 20:20

Then came to him] Mark 10:35.

Matthew 20:21

these my two sons may sit] She had heard, it may be, from the two apostles her sons, what our Saviour had said, chap. 19. 28. See 1 Kings 2. 19. Psalms 45:9.

the one on thy right hand] Let them have the highest degree of honour in thy temporall kingdom.

Matthew 20:22

Ye know not what ye ask] Ye understand not what the nature of my Kingdom is, else ye would not put up such a suit. Hence it appears, that they joyned in the suit, or set their mother on work to do it; for our Saviour answers them. See Mark 10, 35. Ye think, those that have prime place in my Kingdom, shall have much honour and ease, and all manner of commodities: but it is clean contrary; for they are more exposed to troubles and crosses.

of the cup that I shall drink of] A metaphor taken from a man condemned to die by drinking poison, as Psalms 11:6. Isaiah 51:17. Job 18:11. Ezekiel 23:32.

with the baptism] A comparison taken from the manner of baptizing then, by dipping them over head and ears in the water. By these two similitudes our Saviour sets out his passion, Luke 12:50. See Psalms 69:2.

We are able] They took it literally, and knew they were able to do it: for they had often drunk of his cup, and had been baptized as he was.

Matthew 20:23

of my cup] Ye shall endure afflictions like mine. So they did both: for James was slain, Acts 12. 1, &c. and John was banished, and suffered many sad things.

but it shall be given to them for whom] Or, save to whom: so the word is used, Mark 9:8. Christs power of disposing of it is not denied; but he sheweth onely to whom it is to be given.

Matthew 20:24

the ten] All the other apostles.

against the two brethren] Because they sought to be above them, who had as ambitious a minde as themselves, Mark 9:33-34.

Matthew 20:25

Jesus called them unto him] That he might allay that contention that was risen between them.

Ye know] Luke 22:25.

that the princes of the Gentiles, &c.] He speaketh this to his disciples, intimating thereby, That they were not to expect worldly honour and dignities, by following Christ; much lesse ambitiously to seek after them: but to carry themselves humbly one towards another, after his example.

Matthew 20:26

it shall not be so among you] Another manner of life and state must you look for, such as I have undergone before you.

Matthew 20:27

let him be your servant] Let him carry himself humbly toward the rest of his fellow-followers, as servants do to their masters.

Matthew 20:28

as the Son of man] Phil. 2. 7.

not to be ministred unto] Not to be attended on as a king in this world.

to give his life] John 10:11.

a ransome] To free us from Gods wrath due to us for our sins, 1 Timothy 2:6.

for many] Sufficiently, in regard of the merit and worth of it; though not efficiently, in regard of the issue and event of it. Or, they are many that are saved by Christ, chap. 26. 28. Romans 5:15; Romans 5:19. though they be few, in comparison of them that perish, chap. 7. 13, 14.

Matthew 20:29

as they departed from Jericho] Mark 10:46. Luke 18:35.

Matthew 20:30

two blinde men] But one of more note then the other, called Bartimeus, in Mark: these two were healed, when Christ came out of Jericho. Luke mentions another healed, before he went into it.

sitting by the way side] As beggers use to do. It soems they were poor, as well as blinde.

when they heard that Jesus passed by] By the multitude discoursing of him: or, it may be they had asked some of them, and they told them.

Have mercy on us, &c.] See on chap. 9. 27.

Matthew 20:31

the multitude rebuked them] Either disdeigning their condition, as not fit to speak to Christ; or thinking Christ could not heal them; or offended at the glorious Name they gave Christ; or misdoubting they would but disturb him in his passage; or supposing that they intended to beg something of him.

but they cried the more] They were perswaded that Christ could heal them, and would not be dashed out of countenance.

Matthew 20:32

and called them] Speaking himself to them, and not sending others to call them.

What will ye] He knew what they would desire: but he would have them to declare it, that the people might be the more attentive to the miracle ensuing.

Matthew 20:33

that our eyes may be opened] The eyes of them that cannot see, are, as it were, shut up. See on chap. 9. 30. They ask not silver, but sight of him. So Acts 3. 5, 6.

Matthew 20:34

Jesus had compassion on them] He granted both their suits. That, verse 30. by pitying them: that, in verse 33. by giving them their sight.

they followed him] They became his disciples.