Matthew 20

Matthew 20:1

the kingdom of heaven. See App-114. This parable occurs only in Matthew, and is called forth by Peter’s question in Matthew 19:27.

heaven = the heavens. See note on Matthew 6:9, Matthew 6:10.

a man that is an householder = a man a house holder. A Hebraism = master of a house.

early in the morning = together with the dawn.

to hire. Greek. misthoomai. Occurs only here, and Matthew 20:7.

into = for. Greek. eis. App-104.

vineyard. See Isaiah 5:1-7. Psalms 80:8, Psalms 80:9. Israel was in question, not the Church. See Matthew 19:28.

Matthew 20:2

with. Greek. meta.

the labourers: i.e. the twelve Apostles (the first called).

for. Greek. ek. App-104; ek = out of, or from [the bargain] a penny a day.

penny. Greek. denarion (App-51.) = a day’s wage at that time (Luke 10:35 = two days’). Came to be used for any coin, as in English we “turn an honest penny”. The initial of denarius came to be our “d” for pence.

Matthew 20:3

the third hour = 9am. The hour named in connection with Pentecost (Acts 2:15).

others. Not there at the first hour. Other labourers were then engaged (Acts 4:36; Acts 6:1, Acts 6:5; Acts 8:4, Acts 8:12; Acts 9:10, Acts 9:25, Acts 9:27, Acts 9:30).

Matthew 20:4

right = just.

give = pay.

Matthew 20:5

the sixth . . . hour. The hour of the vision when Peter was sent to the Gentiles at Caesarea (Acts 10:9). ninth hour. The hour when the angel appeared to Cornelius (Acts 10:3), and others became labourers (Acts 21:16).

Matthew 20:6

the eleventh hour. The Art. is emphatic, as with the “third”. See note on “even” (Matthew 20:8). It was immediately before the end.

Matthew 20:7

no man = no one.

us. These were the heralds of the gospel of the kingdom, immediately before the close of the dispensation of the Acts. See Acts 17:34; Acts 18:2, Acts 18:8, Acts 18:10, Acts 18:18, Acts 18:24; Acts 19:6-8, Acts 19:20; Acts 20:1, Acts 20:4, Acts 20:17; Acts 21:8, Acts 21:16. But, as the Nation refused the call to repent (Acts 28:25, Acts 28:26), “the eleventh hour” is still future, awaiting the proclamation foretold in Matthew 24:14.

Matthew 20:8

even. Even Bengel held that this refers to “the last judgment”. And it is clearly the time of reckoning and of the reward spoken of in Matthew 19:29, when all will be justly rewarded.

Matthew 20:9

every man = each.

Matthew 20:10

supposed = reckoned according to law. See note on Luke 3:23.

Matthew 20:11

against. Greek. kata. App-104.

Goodman = the master of the house.

Matthew 20:12

These = That these. Greek. hoti, putting their words between quotation marks. See note on Luke 23:43.

have wrought but one hour = made one hour. A Hebraism. Compare Rth 2:19, “Where wroughtest thou to-day? “(Hebrew. ’anah ’asitha). So, in the sense of making or spending time (Acts 15:33; Acts 18:23. 2 Corinthians 11:25); used for continuing, as suggested in Authorized Version margin. But it is the same word rendered “made” in the next clause.

made them = done to them.

heat = scorching heat.

Matthew 20:13

one. Representing the whole body, as Peter was the “one” in Matthew 19:27.

Friend. Greek. Hetairos = Comrade, more distant than philos (= beloved). Occurs only in Matthew (here; Matthew 11:16; Matthew 22:12; Matthew 26:50).

wrong = injustice.

Matthew 20:14

Take = Take up.

that thine is = thine own.

I will give = for I will (App-102.) to give.

will = wish, or desire. App-102.

even as unto thee = as to thee also.

Matthew 20:15

with = in. Greek. en. App-104.

mine own. Plural = mine own [affairs].

thine eye evil. A Hebraism. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 15:9). App-117.

evil = grudging. Greek. poneria. App-128.:3. Emphatic

good = generous.

Matthew 20:16

So, &c. See note on Matthew 19:30, which precedes the parable, as this concludes it.

Matthew 20:17

Jesus. App-98.

Matthew 20:18

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

the Son of man. See App-98.

betrayed, &c. = delivered up, as in Matthew 20:19. These are the additional features of this third announcement (see note on Matthew 16:21); the second and fourth being Matthew 17:22 and Matthew 20:28.

condemn. Greek. katakrino. App-122.

Matthew 20:19

deliver Him = deliver Him up, as in Matthew 20:18.

the third day. See App-148.

Matthew 20:20

came. With her sons. Mark 10:35 “came [with their mother]”.

the mother. Salome. Compare Matthew 27:56 with Mark 15:40.

Zebedee’s. See note on Matthew 4:21.

children = sons. App-108. The two sons (James and John) acted with their mother (prompting her). Compare “Ye” (Matthew 20:22, and Mark 10:35). Mark’s account is supplementary.

sons. Implies what Mark says. All three came together. worshipping = prostrating herself. Greek. proskuneo. App-137.

desiring = asking.

of = from. Greek. para. App-104.

Matthew 20:21

Grant = Bid, as in Matthew 4:3; or Matthew 23:3 (“bid”).

the left = [Thy] left.

Matthew 20:22

Ye. Ye two. know not = have no idea. Greek. oida. App-132.

ask = ask for. App-134.

the cup. Which would be at His right hand. A symbol of participation. Jeremiah 25:15; Jeremiah 49:12. Ezekiel 23:33.

shall drink of = am about to drink of.

baptized. App-115.

baptism. App-115.

Matthew 20:23

shall = shall indeed. James (Acts 12:2), and John martyred, according to tradition.

but it shall be given to them for whom, &c. Omit all these italics, and read “but [to those] for whom”. Compare Mark 10:40.

prepared: or, destined. of = by. Greek. hupo.

Father. App-98.

Matthew 20:24

moved with indignation = took great umbrage.

against = about, or with respect to. Greek. peri.

Matthew 20:25

exercise dominion = lord it over.

they that are great = the great ones.

exercise authority upon. The Prep, kata (= down. App-104.) in the verb implies a bad sense and = oppress them. Compare Luke 22:25; where the verb is not the same. See note there.

Matthew 20:26

But = However.

among. Greek. en.

minister = servant (in relation to activity).

Matthew 20:27

chief = first.

servant = bond-servant (in relation to servitude).

Matthew 20:28

The fourth announcement of His sufferings. See note on Matthew 16:21.

to be ministered unto = to be served.

to minister = to serve.

life = soul.

ransom = redemption price. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 35:31). App-117.1.

for = in the stead of. Greek. anti. App-104.

Matthew 20:29

departed = not approaching, as in Luke 18:35; or arriving and leaving, as in Mark 10:46.

great multitude. The population was about 100,000, doubtless with many blind about the gates.

Matthew 20:30

two blind men. There are no “discrepancies” between this account and those of Mar 10:46 and Luke 18:35. They describe three miracles on four blind men: one on approaching Jericho; one on leaving; two after He had left. See App-152.

Sitting. Not “begging”, as in Luke 18:35.

by = beside. Greek. para. App-104. The others were at each gate.

passed by = is passing by.

mercy = pity.

Lord. App-98.

Son of David. Therefore Israelites, having a claim on Him as such. The fifth of nine occurrences of this title in Matthew. See note on Matthew 1:1, and App-98.

Matthew 20:31

rebuked . . . peace = charged them to be silent.

cried = kept crying.

the more. Greek. meizon. (Adverb) Occurs only here.

Son of David. The sixth of nine occurrences in Matthew. See note on Matthew 1:1.

Matthew 20:32

called them. In the other cases He commanded them to be “called” (Mark 10:49), and “led” (Luke 18:40). App-152.

shall = should.

unto = for.

Matthew 20:34

received = regained.

they followed. As in Mark 10:52, and Luke 18:43.