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Explanation for:
Matthew
20
:
13
But he answering said to one of them: Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny?
9
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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":"Beloved, I mean no offense. I came across an author's work suggesting that the friend who responds to the objections of the householder, the worker of the first hour, represents the original man, Adam, along with those who had faith during his time. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? The denarius bears the likeness of the king. Therefore, you have received the reward that I promised: my image and likeness. Why do you seek additional compensation? Moreover, it seems you are less concerned about receiving more for yourself and more focused on ensuring that others receive nothing, as if your own reward is somehow diminished by comparing it with that of others."},{"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":"The central issue lies in the fact that those initial laborers, who had brought great glory to God and labored diligently throughout the day, were not tainted by the intense emotions of malice, jealousy, or bitterness. When they observed that those who arrived later received the same reward, they complained, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have endured the hardships of the day and the scorching heat.” Despite suffering no loss themselves and receiving their due reward in full, they felt troubled and begrudging because others were favored, fueled by envy and resentment. Furthermore, the landowner, in defense of his actions and addressing the complainant, rebukes him for his spite and deep jealousy, stating, “Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and depart; I choose to give to the last the same as I gave to you. Do I not have the right to do as I wish with what belongs to me? Or is it your eye that is evil because I am generous?”"},{"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 this present age; at its close, everyone receives a denarius. This denarius represents the grace of the Holy Spirit, which re-creates humanity in the likeness of God, allowing individuals to share in the divine essence. In contrast, those who lived prior to Christ's arrival endured greater hardships, as death had not yet been vanquished, the adversary remained unbroken, and sin was dominantly present. However, through the grace of Christ, we are justified in baptism and are empowered to triumph over our foe, who has already been subdued and defeated by Christ. In one interpretation, younger believers may bear more burdens than those who come to faith later in life. The young endure the \\"weight\\" of anger and the heat of desires, while the elderly find their struggles tempered. Regardless, all are recipients of the same generous gift of the Holy Spirit. This parable illustrates that it is indeed possible to enter the kingdom of heaven in later years through repentance, symbolized by the eleventh hour. Yet, could the saints resent those who receive equal rewards alongside them? Certainly not. This serves to demonstrate that the blessings set aside for the righteous are so plentiful and astonishing that they might inspire 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":"To address one individual, representing others who voiced their dissatisfaction with what they perceived as an unfair wage, it was stated that the payment of a denarius was in accordance with their arrangement, and they should not be displeased. If I choose to reward another who has worked fewer hours with the same amount, it is my prerogative and should not be a concern for you. I remain true to my commitment to you; take your due and depart. The terms are different for others; I will grant as I see fit, for I possess the right to manage my resources as I desire."},{"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":"In a similar manner to the way the wise father counsels his son in the parable, the compassionate master addresses the dissatisfied laborers with calm yet powerful words. HE responded to one individual, who had voiced his dissatisfaction more vocally and insistently than the rest, saying, ‘Friend! I DO NOT WRONG YOU; DID YOU NOT AGREE WITH ME FOR A DENARIUS? I have not altered the payment that we established together; by your consent, you have forfeited the right to contest the compensation, so there is no reason for you to be troubled.’"},{"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 those who were hired at the last moment received a denarius each, the laborers who had toiled the entire day expected a greater reward. However, when they also received the same pay, they began to complain to the master, expressing, “We have borne the burden of the whole day and the heat of the sun, yet you have treated us the same as those who worked only one hour, and during the cooler part of the day.” In response to one of their complaints, the master replied gently, “Friend, I am not being unjust to you; did you not agree to work for a denarius? Take what is yours and depart; I choose to give this last worker the same as you. Do I not have the authority to use my own resources as I see fit? Or is your eye filled with envy because I am generous?” \\n\\nIt has been noted previously that it is unnecessary to dissect every detail of the parable, and thus we shall refrain from overanalyzing the story of the vineyard workers, which often confounds interpreters. Instead, we shall focus on the complaints of those who labored all day and the final words of the master. These workers, symbolizing individuals dedicated to fulfilling God’s will throughout their lives, were awarded the same denarius as the others, signifying their gift of Eternal Life. Yet, since their complaints and jealousy towards less diligent workers are incongruous with the righteousness expected of those entering the Kingdom of Heaven, we must conclude that these grievances were not genuinely theirs; rather, their murmuring was attributed to them to highlight the magnitude of God’s grace to the listeners. \\n\\nIf we consider the parable in two distinct segments— the first detailing the hiring of the workers and the directive to pay them all alike, and the second comprising the master's reply to the murmurers— the seeming inconsistency is resolved. After illustrating how the owner compensated the last worker, who had labored merely an hour with the same amount as those who had toiled all day, Jesus poses a rhetorical question to His audience: “Do you find this unjust, upsetting to those who worked throughout the day? They were indeed hired for a denarius, and received exactly what was agreed upon; the vineyard owner has not wronged anyone. If he chooses to bestow his generosity equally, who is entitled to complain? Does not the proprietor have the right to manage his affairs as he pleases?”"},{"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 discontent expressed by the individuals unveiled their unfaithfulness to the commitment they had made, accompanied by an unrealistic expectation of receiving more than what was agreed upon. This dissatisfaction prompted a rightful admonition from the master, who addressed one of the disgruntled individuals, saying, \\"Friend, I do not wrong you; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go; but I wish to give to this last man the same as you. Do I not have the right to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?\\" Similarly, the rewards in the kingdom of heaven do not depend on when one is called or the duration of service, but rather on the level of faithfulness to one's duties, earnestness in labor, and the benevolent wisdom of God, who assesses individuals more by their inner state than their external actions. For this reason, Christ emphasized once more, \\"the last shall be first, and the first last.\\" These parting discussions are believed to have occurred during the final days of Christ's ministry in Perea, and as He neared the borders of Judea, He received the troubling news from Bethany that the one He cherished \\"was dangerously ill\\" (John 11:2)."},{"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 all of Christ's disciples from perceiving the promised blessings as rewards dependent on their merits—similar to the Pharisees who sought to elevate themselves in the Messiah's kingdom—Jesus states: “But many that are first shall be last, and the last first.” In the Gospel of Mark, only this phrase is recorded; however, Matthew shares the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, illustrating how those who worked different hours received equal compensation. This parable clarifies the intent behind Jesus’s saying, as it relates to the context of His teachings (Matt. 20:16, Luke 13:30). Here, the vineyard symbolizes the body of Christ, the householder represents the Lord, and the laborers—who commence work at various times—illustrate the believers in Christ called to His church at different moments (contemporaneously with Christ’s ministry and throughout all ages). The parable concludes with a variation of its initial phrase, aligning with its thematic progression: “Thus shall the last be first, and the first last; for many are called, but few chosen.” The essence of this parable reveals that the allocation of eternal rewards hinges completely on God's will and grace, rather than on human efforts as judged by human standards. Many who seem to have done little for their salvation and are perceived as last by themselves and others may actually be esteemed first in God’s judgment, whereas those who consider themselves first might find themselves last in the divine reckoning. This teaching fosters humility among Christ's followers, a vital disposition for those who have willingly surrendered all for the sake of Christ to be worthy of the rewards promised."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The diligent steward, as noted by the Venerable Nil of Sinai, also addressed the unjust envy of those who murmured and demonstrated that his benevolence fulfilled the truth. He refrained from allowing the unintentional fault of idleness to cause them harm, recognizing their intention rather than merely their actions. Their idleness stemmed not from negligence but from circumstance. Their claim, “No one will hire us,” exonerates them from the charge of laziness, indicating their willingness to work and attributing their inactivity to a lack of employment opportunities. Overall, it is fair that those who have completed a task deserving of a denarius be compensated with nothing less, even if they did not labor throughout the entire day. For he who hired them said, “Go ye also into my vineyard, and if it be righteous, ye shall receive,” thus promising a denarius. He did not deceive them, as he provided what was right and justly allotted their payment according to the work accomplished, rather than the duration of time spent."}]}
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