Matthew 20
Matthew 20 begins with a parable that started in verse 30 of chapter 19. I’m going to include it so that we get the whole understanding.
Mat.19:30] But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
We are talking about from the first earth age to the second earth age. The now.
Mat.20:1] For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
[2] And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
These would be the Elect that stood with God in the first earth age. From the beginning.
Mat.20:3] And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
[4] And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
These he chose along the way.
[5] Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
These would be them that are converted along the way. Them that knew Him not but have come to love the Lord. And through repentance have salvation.
[6] And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
[7] They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
Even on their death bed a man can find salvation, “For whomsoever believeth”. But let’s go to Peter 3:9. And here we find the, “Will of God” and it reads.
2Pet.3:9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Longsuffering is patience, perish is the death of the soul. God loves all and to all he gives grace. His love. So even on your death bed if you repent and believe Jesus died on the cross for your sins you too have salvation. This is why we work so hard for the LORD. If you or I can help just one, then our reward is great in the kingdom.
Mat.20:8] So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
[9] And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
[10] But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
Think of this, the elect that began in the beginning thought they should receive more. Now remember this is a parable. Jesus is teaching us Elect not to be jealous of those that we help come to salvation. For it was Gods will.
Mat.20:11] And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
[12] Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
[13] But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
[14] Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
[15] Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
[16] So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Those that are chosen and there are but a few, is not that honor.
Mat.20:17] And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,
[18] Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,
[19] And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
After taking them aside privately, Jesus prophesied to them. For some reason they forgot, did Jesus close their eyes after this? It’s the only answer I can conceive.
Mat.20:20] Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
[21] And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
[22] But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
[23] And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of 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 shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
Don’t let this bother you, a mother’s love for her sons cannot be matched. She did not know or consider the Kingdom, she just loved her sons.
Mat.20:24] And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
[25] But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
[26] But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
[27] And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
[28] Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Do not lord over anyone in the church, for Christ is the God head of it. There should be no animosity between brothers, but let one serve another by building one another up.
Mat.20:29] And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.
[30] And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
[31] And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
Interesting that the multitude rebuked them. Notice they cried “thou Son of David”. They knew the Key of David. That through the seed of Jesse would come the Christ.
Mat.20:32] And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
[33] They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.
[34] So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
They followed Jesus after they received their sight. I’m sure thier spiritual eyes were opened also.
Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word, bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name,
Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible