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Explanation for:
Matthew
20
:
12
Saying: These last have worked but one hour, and thou hast made them equal to us, that have borne the burden of the day and the heats.
11
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"However, it is essential to recognize that those who criticize the inequity of the landowner toward the workers hired at the eleventh hour often fail to see their own similar shortcomings. If the landowner acted unjustly, it was an injustice directed at all, for the laborer hired at the third hour did not exert the same effort as the one who began at dawn. Similarly, the worker of the sixth hour contributed less than the worker of the third hour, and the laborer of the ninth hour worked less than the laborer of the sixth hour. Consequently, there exists a sense of envy towards the later inclusion of the Gentiles, leading to disdain for the grace offered through the gospel. Hence, the Savior concludes the parable with the statement, “The first shall be last, and the last first,” Matthew 19:30, indicating a reversal in which the Jews will shift from the prominent position to the less esteemed, while we will ascend from a lesser status to a place of honor."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"What does this parable signify? The initial statement contrasts sharply with the conclusion, illustrating a fundamental reversal. In this teaching, the Lord illustrates that everyone receives equal rewards; He does not indicate that some are excluded while others are included. However, in the context surrounding this parable, He expresses the contrary: the first shall be last, and the last shall be first (Matthew 19:30; 20:16), which means that those who are last will be exalted above those who were first, who will no longer hold their initial position but shall be made last. The true essence of this statement is clarified by the subsequent phrase: many are called, but few are chosen, through which the Lord admonishes those who are first and offers solace and encouragement to those who are last. Nevertheless, the parable itself merely states that those who come later will be regarded as equals to those who have previously faced trials and labored tirelessly. It emphasizes that He has leveled the playing field for us who have endured the struggles of the day and the heat."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"It appears reasonable to assert that the compensation for one who toiled tirelessly from the morning until evening and for one who labored for only an hour should differ. However, this notion of fairness is imperfect, as it harbors a jealousy towards the joy experienced by others."},{"author-name":"Cyrill of Alexandria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a8ea5c988a4fc073480_Cyrill%20of%20Alexandria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"Consider their words: ‘We have borne the burden of the day and of the bar’ (Matthew 20:12). This statement is indeed correct; the Gentiles did not carry the weight of the law during its time, yet they are just as capable in their deeds as the foremost workers. The righteous Judge does not cause offense. To avoid interpreting the notion of giving the same reward to one as to another as insincerity rather than an act of grace, reflect on this: regardless of how much we accomplish or toil, our efforts are not worthy of reward, for all human righteousness is like a filthy rag (Isaiah 64:6). All that we achieve is through grace, as Paul points out: we are justified freely by His grace (Romans 3:24), and let no one boast in their works (Ibid.). The gift from God does not stem from our labor but rather from the fact that we are incapable of earning merit. For it is stated that after you have done everything commanded of you, you should declare, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ Indeed, you provide sustenance to the needy and, in return, inherit the Kingdom of Heaven—recognize what that signifies: I desire to give…"},{"author-name":"Gregory the Great","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88c2b032f5f6e5effaa54_Gregory%20the%20Great.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":6,"exegesis-text":"Those who toiled from the eleventh hour receive the same reward, a denarius, as those who worked from the first hour, who had been anticipating their wages with eagerness. This is because the promise of Eternal Life, originally offered to those called at the dawn of creation, is also bestowed upon those who turn to the Lord at the end of the age. Consequently, those who labored longer begin to complain, saying, “These last workers only worked for one hour, yet You have made them equal to us, who have endured the toil of the day and the sweltering heat.” Those first called bore the weight of the sun's intensity, and having lived much longer in this life, they faced the prolonged trials of the flesh. To endure the burdens of the day and the heat signifies enduring weariness throughout one's life due to the flesh's demands. \\n\\nIt might be questioned how those who came later to the kingdom could be the subject of complaints. The reality is that no one who complains is granted entry into the heavenly kingdom, and true recipients would never murmur. Yet, the ancient Patriarchs, regardless of their righteous lives, could not enter the kingdom until Christ, who opened the gates of Paradise through His death, descended. Their grumbling lies in the fact that they lived virtuous lives to obtain the kingdom but had to wait a long time for their admission. For those, by perfect justice, allowed into the more peaceful areas of hell, it was indeed fitting that they would labor in the vineyard and express their grievances. Thus, after their murmuring, those who have spent a considerable time in hell and then entered into the joys of the kingdom are awarded their denarius."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The evening signifies the conclusion of the age; at this final moment, everyone is given a denarius, representing the grace of the Holy Spirit, which reshapes humanity in God's image and allows participation in the divine nature. Those who lived prior to Christ's arrival experienced greater suffering, as death had not yet been defeated, the adversary had not been vanquished, and sin was still present. However, through the grace of Christ, we who have been justified through baptism gain the strength to triumph over our foe, who has already been subdued and slain by Christ. In the first interpretation, younger believers endure more toil compared to those who come to faith later in life. The young bear the burden of wrath and the fervor of desires, while the elder is less overwhelmed by it. Nevertheless, all receive the same extraordinary gift of the Holy Spirit. The parable reminds us that even in advanced age, one can attain the kingdom of heaven through repentance, as old age corresponds to the eleventh hour. However, according to the parable, will the saints resent those who have received equal blessings? Certainly not. This illustrates that the rewards awaiting the righteous are so plentiful and magnificent that they could provoke feelings of jealousy."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The weight of the day and the heat: they toiled all day long beneath the blazing sun, while the others labored for just one hour, and even then, in the gentle evening cool, when it is far easier to work than in the intensity of midday heat."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"To prevent the apostles and Christ's followers from expecting the promised blessings as rewards earned by their actions, akin to the Pharisees who sought precedence in the Messiah's kingdom, Jesus expressed: “But many of the first shall be last, and the last first.” In the Gospel of Mark, this saying appears uniquely, while the Gospel of Matthew conveys the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, illustrating the context in which Jesus applied this phrase as He had on other occasions (Matt. 20:16, Luke 13:30). In this narrative, the vineyard symbolizes the body of Christ, the householder represents the Lord, and the laborers—who commence their work at various times—symbolize believers in Christ who have been summoned to His church across different eras (both during Christ’s earthly ministry and throughout all ages). The parable concludes with a reiteration of the same principle, modified in its expression: “Thus shall the last be first, and the first last; for many are called, and few chosen.” The overarching message of this parable emphasizes that the distribution of eternal rewards is wholly in the hands of God's will and grace, independent of human judgments regarding merit. Thus, many who may appear to have contributed little to their salvation and are viewed as the least in their own eyes and those of others will be honored first in God's judgment. Conversely, many who regard themselves as first may find themselves last in the ultimate assessment. This parable teaches every believer humility, a crucial disposition for receiving the rewards promised to those who have relinquished all for the sake of Christ."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Upon receiving their denarius, instead of reflecting on their lack of trust in the gracious master, the laborers complained to the owner of the vineyard, saying: “These last workers have only toiled for one hour, and yet you have treated them the same as us, who endured the burden of the day and the heat. We labored throughout the day under the blazing sun, while they worked just one hour in the cooler evening, when the labor isn't as taxing, and you equate their efforts with ours.” Their words reveal their envy and resentment, stemming from doubt and a proud assessment of their own toil. Likewise, in the parable of the prodigal son, the elder brother expressed similar feelings: “Look, I have served you for many years, and I have never disobeyed your command, yet you have never given me even a young goat to celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came back, having squandered your property with reckless living, you killed the fattened calf for him” (Luke 15:29-30)."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Upon witnessing that the laborers who joined at the final hour each received a denarius, those who had toiled throughout the entire day expected a greater reward. When they, too, were given a denarius, they began to voice their complaints to the master, saying, ‘We have borne the burden of the entire day as well as the heat of midday, yet you have made us equal to those who labored for only an hour, a mere sliver of work, especially in the comfortable cool of the evening.’ Addressing one of the discontented laborers, the master gently replied, ‘Friend, I bear you no ill will; did we not agree on a denarius? Take what is yours and depart; however, I wish to bestow upon this final worker that which I have shared with you. Am I not free to do what I wish with what is mine? Or do you harbor resentment because of my generosity?’\\n\\nIt has been pointed out that it is fruitless to attempt to dissect each intricate detail of the parable, including every single word; thus, we shall refrain from delving into the complexities that perplex many interpreters regarding the laborers in the vineyard. Instead, we will focus on the complaints from those who labored all day and on the concluding remarks of the parable. Those who had been employed in the vineyard since dawn—representing individuals who have dedicated their lives to fulfilling God’s will—were granted a denarius alongside others, signifying their reward of Eternal Life. However, since their grievances towards God and envy of those who worked fewer hours are inconsistent with the righteousness expected of those who enter the kingdom of heaven, it may be suggested that their complaints were not genuine. Rather, these feelings were attributed to them solely to highlight the magnificence of God’s mercy to the audience.\\n\\nIf we were to segment this parable into two main parts—the first detailing the hiring of the laborers and the directive to pay them uniformly, and the second encompassing the master’s response to the dissenters—it becomes clear that the apparent contradiction dissipates. After describing how the master compensated the last laborer, who toiled for just one hour with the same wage as those who had worked all day, Jesus seemed to pose a question directly to His listeners: ‘Do you perceive this as unfair, an affront to those who labored throughout the day? Yet, they were hired for a denarius and received their full wages; the vineyard owner wronged no one. If he, in his kindness, chose to pay all equally, who has the right to express discontent? Is the vineyard owner not entitled to manage his affairs as he sees fit?’"},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The master's kindness sparked a sense of expectation among the other workers, leading them to believe that their extended labor would be rewarded with a higher wage, specifically more than the agreed-upon denarius. However, when they were each paid the same denarius as those who worked only for one hour, they expressed their discontent and criticized him for treating them the same as those who had labored so briefly, despite having endured the heat and effort of the entire day."}]}
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