Matteo 20

1 Poiché il regno de’ cieli è simile a un padron di casa, il quale, in sul far del giorno, uscì a prender ad opra de’ lavoratori per la sua vigna.

2 E avendo convenuto coi lavoratori per un denaro al giorno, li mandò nella sua vigna.

3 Ed uscito verso l’ora terza, ne vide degli altri che se ne stavano sulla piazza disoccupati,

4 e disse loro: Andate anche voi nella vigna, e vi darò quel che sarà giusto. Ed essi andarono.

5 Poi, uscito ancora verso la sesta e la nona ora, fece lo stesso.

6 Ed uscito verso l’undicesima, ne trovò degli altri in piazza e disse loro: Perché ve ne state qui tutto il giorno inoperosi?

7 Essi gli dissero: Perché nessuno ci ha presi a giornata. Egli disse loro: Andate anche voi nella vigna.

8 Poi, fattosi sera, il padron della vigna disse al suo fattore: Chiama i lavoratori e paga loro la mercede, cominciando dagli ultimi fino ai primi.

9 Allora, venuti quei dell’undicesima ora, ricevettero un denaro per uno.

10 E venuti i primi, pensavano di ricever di più; ma ricevettero anch’essi un denaro per uno.

11 E ricevutolo, mormoravano contro al padron di casa, dicendo:

12 Questi ultimi non han fatto che un’ora e tu li hai fatti pari a noi che abbiamo portato il peso della giornata e il caldo.

13 Ma egli, rispondendo a un di loro, disse: Amico, io non ti fo alcun torto; non convenisti meco per un denaro?

14 Prendi il tuo, e vattene; ma io voglio dare a quest’ultimo quanto a te.

15 Non m’è lecito far del mio ciò che voglio? o vedi tu di mal occhio ch’io sia buono?

16 Così gli ultimi saranno primi, e i primi ultimi.

17 Poi Gesù, stando per salire a Gerusalemme, trasse da parte i suoi dodici discepoli; e, cammin facendo, disse loro:

18 Ecco, noi saliamo a Gerusalemme, e il Figliuol dell’uomo sarà dato nelle mani de’ capi sacerdoti e degli scribi;

19 ed essi lo condanneranno a morte, e lo metteranno nelle mani dei Gentili per essere schernito e flagellato e crocifisso; ma il terzo giorno risusciterà.

20 Allora la madre de’ figliuoli di Zebedeo s’accostò a lui co’ suoi figliuoli, prostrandosi e chiedendogli qualche cosa.

21 Ed egli le domandò: Che vuoi? Ella gli disse: Ordina che questi miei due figliuoli seggano l’uno alla tua destra e l’altro alla tua sinistra, nel tuo regno.

22 E Gesù, rispondendo, disse: Voi non sapete quel che chiedete. Potete voi bere il calice che io sto per bere? Essi gli dissero: Sì, lo possiamo.

23 Egli disse loro: Voi certo berrete il mio calice; ma quant’è al sedermi a destra o a sinistra non sta a me il darlo, ma è per quelli a cui è stato preparato dal Padre mio.

24 E i dieci, udito ciò, furono indignati contro i due fratelli.

25 Ma Gesù, chiamatili a sé, disse: Voi sapete che i principi delle nazioni le signoreggiano, e che i grandi usano potestà sopra di esse.

26 Ma non è così tra voi; anzi, chiunque vorrà esser grande fra voi, sarà vostro servitore;

27 e chiunque fra voi vorrà esser primo, sarà vostro servitore;

28 appunto come il Figliuol dell’uomo non è venuto per esser servito ma per servire, e per dar la vita sua come prezzo di riscatto per molti.

29 E come uscivano da Gerico, una gran moltitudine lo seguì.

30 Ed ecco che due ciechi, seduti presso la strada, avendo udito che Gesù passava, si misero a gridare: Abbi pietà di noi, Signore, figliuol di Davide!

31 Ma la moltitudine li sgridava, perché tacessero; essi però gridavan più forte: Abbi pietà di noi, Signore, figliuol di Davide!

32 E Gesù, fermatosi, li chiamò e disse: Che volete ch’io vi faccia?

33 Ed essi: Signore, che s’aprano gli occhi nostri.

34 Allora Gesù, mosso a pietà, toccò gli occhi loro, e in quell’istante ricuperarono la vista e lo seguirono. Matteo Capitolo 21

Matteo 20 Commentary

Chapter 20

The parable of the labourers in the vineyard. (1-16) Jesus again foretells his sufferings. (17-19) The ambition of James and John. (20-28) Jesus gives sight to two blind men near Jericho. (29-34)

Verses 1-16 The direct object of this parable seems to be, to show that though the Jews were first called into the vineyard, at length the gospel should be preached to the Gentiles, and they should be admitted to equal privileges and advantages with the Jews. The parable may also be applied more generally, and shows, 1. That God is debtor to no man. 2. That many who begin last, and promise little in religion, sometimes, by the blessing of God, arrive at a great deal of knowledge, grace, and usefulness. 3. That the recompense of reward will be given to the saints, but not according to the time of their conversion. It describes the state of the visible church, and explains the declaration that the last shall be first, and the first last, in its various references. Till we are hired into the service of God, we are standing all the day idle: a sinful state, though a state of drudgery to Satan, may be called a state of idleness. The market-place is the world, and from that we are called by the gospel. Come, come from this market-place. Work for God will not admit of trifling. A man may go idle to hell, but he that will go to heaven, must be diligent. The Roman penny was sevenpence halfpenny in our money, wages then enough for the day's support. This does not prove that the reward of our obedience to God is of works, or of debt; when we have done all, we are unprofitable servants; but it signifies that there is a reward set before us, yet let none, upon this presumption, put off repentance till they are old. Some were sent into the vineyard at the eleventh hour; but nobody had hired them before. The Gentiles came in at the eleventh hour; the gospel had not been before preached to them. Those that have had gospel offers made them at the third or sixth hour, and have refused them, will not have to say at the eleventh hour, as these had, No man has hired us. Therefore, not to discourage any, but to awaken all, be it remembered, that now is the accepted time. The riches of Divine grace are loudly murmured at, among proud Pharisees and nominal Christians. There is great proneness in us to think that we have too little, and others too much of the tokens of God's favour; and that we do too much, and others too little in the work of God. But if God gives grace to others, it is kindness to them, and no injustice to us. Carnal worldlings agree with God for their penny in this world; and choose their portion in this life. Obedient believers agree with God for their penny in the other world, and must remember they have so agreed. Didst not thou agree to take up with heaven as thy portion, thy all; wilt thou seek for happiness in the creature? God punishes none more than they deserve, and recompenses every service done for him; he therefore does no wrong to any, by showing extraordinary grace to some. See here the nature of envy. It is an evil eye, which is displeased at the good of others, and desires their hurt. It is a grief to ourselves, displeasing to God, and hurtful to our neighbours: it is a sin that has neither pleasure, profit, nor honour. Let us forego every proud claim, and seek for salvation as a free gift. Let us never envy or grudge, but rejoice and praise God for his mercy to others as well as to ourselves.

Verses 17-19 Christ is more particular here in foretelling his sufferings than before. And here, as before, he adds the mention of his resurrection and his glory, to that of his death and sufferings, to encourage his disciples, and comfort them. A believing view of our once crucified and now glorified Redeemer, is good to humble a proud, self-justifying disposition. When we consider the need of the humiliation and sufferings of the Son of God, in order to the salvation of perishing sinners, surely we must be aware of the freeness and richness of Divine grace in our salvation.

Verses 20-28 The sons of Zebedee abused what Christ said to comfort the disciples. Some cannot have comforts but they turn them to a wrong purpose. Pride is a sin that most easily besets us; it is sinful ambition to outdo others in pomp and grandeur. To put down the vanity and ambition of their request, Christ leads them to the thoughts of their sufferings. It is a bitter cup that is to be drunk of; a cup of trembling, but not the cup of the wicked. It is but a cup, it is but a draught, bitter perhaps, but soon emptied; it is a cup in the hand of a Father, Joh. 18:11 . Baptism is an ordinance by which we are joined to the Lord in covenant and communion; and so is suffering for Christ, ( Ezekiel 20:37 , Isaiah 48:10 ) . Baptism is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace; and so is suffering for Christ, for unto us it is given, ( Philippians 1:29 ) . But they knew not what Christ's cup was, nor what his baptism. Those are commonly most confident, who are least acquainted with the cross. Nothing makes more mischief among brethren, than desire of greatness. And we never find Christ's disciples quarrelling, but something of this was at the bottom of it. That man who labours most diligently, and suffers most patiently, seeking to do good to his brethren, and to promote the salvation of souls, most resembles Christ, and will be most honoured by him to all eternity. Our Lord speaks of his death in the terms applied to the sacrifices of old. It is a sacrifice for the sins of men, and is that true and substantial sacrifice, which those of the law faintly and imperfectly represented. It was a ransom for many, enough for all, working upon many; and, if for many, then the poor trembling soul may say, Why not for me?

Verses 29-34 It is good for those under the same trial, or infirmity of body or mind, to join in prayer to God for relief, that they may quicken and encourage one another. There is mercy enough in Christ for all that ask. They were earnest in prayer. They cried out as men in earnest. Cold desires beg denials. They were humble in prayer, casting themselves upon, and referring themselves cheerfully to, the Mediator's mercy. They showed faith in prayer, by the title they gave to Christ. Surely it was by the Holy Ghost that they called Jesus, Lord. They persevered in prayer. When they were in pursuit of such mercy, it was no time for timidity or hesitation: they cried earnestly. Christ encouraged them. The wants and burdens of the body we are soon sensible of, and can readily relate. Oh that we did as feelingly complain of our spiritual maladies, especially our spiritual blindness! Many are spiritually blind, yet say they see. Jesus cured these blind men; and when they had received sight, they followed him. None follow Christ blindly. He first by his grace opens men's eyes, and so draws their hearts after him. These miracles are our call to Jesus; may we hear it, and make it our daily prayer to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.