Matthew 20:9

Matthew 20:9 is a pivotal verse in the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, illustrating a key principle of God's kingdom. Here, the focus shifts to the laborers hired at the very end of the day, those who worked for only a short period, yet received the same full day's wage as those who toiled from morning.

Context

This verse is part of a parable told by Jesus, recorded in Matthew 20:1-16. The parable describes a landowner who hires laborers for his vineyard at various times throughout the day: early morning, the third hour (9 AM), the sixth hour (noon), the ninth hour (3 PM), and finally, the eleventh hour (5 PM). He agrees to pay the first group a "penny" (a denarius, a common day's wage). When evening comes, he instructs his steward to pay all the laborers, beginning with those hired last, and giving each the same amount – a penny.

Meaning of the Verse

The "eleventh hour" workers represent those who come to faith or service later in life, or perhaps those who have had less opportunity to serve God. Despite their brief period of work, the landowner's immediate payment of a full day's wage (a denarius) to them highlights his extraordinary generosity. This act is not based on the duration of labor but on the landowner's sovereign will and abundant grace. It sets the stage for the consternation of the earlier workers and the profound lesson Jesus intends to convey about God's ways versus human expectations of fairness based on merit.

Key Themes

• Divine Generosity and Grace: This verse powerfully demonstrates God's unmerited favor. The landowner gives not according to what was earned, but according to his own good pleasure and liberality. This concept is central to understanding salvation by grace, not by works.
• God's Sovereignty: The landowner has the right to do what he wishes with his own money. Similarly, God is sovereign in how He bestows His blessings and rewards. His justice and generosity operate on a higher plane than human standards of equity.
• The "Last Shall Be First": This verse is a direct precursor to the parable's concluding statement in Matthew 20:16, "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." It challenges human notions of hierarchy and reward, emphasizing that God values willingness and obedience regardless of when one begins their service.

Linguistic Insight

The word "penny" in the King James Version translates the Greek word denarion (δηνάριον), which refers to a denarius. This was a Roman silver coin, equivalent to a day's wage for a common laborer in the first century. This detail is crucial, as it underscores the unexpected and extravagant generosity shown to those who worked for only one hour, making the landowner's action even more striking.

Practical Application

Matthew 20:9 offers profound encouragement and a vital caution for believers today:

• Encouragement for Latecomers: It assures those who come to faith or commit to serving God later in life that they are just as valued and will receive the full blessing of God's grace, regardless of their past. There is no "too late" with God.
• Warning Against Comparison and Envy: The parable, especially through the reaction of the early workers (Matthew 20:10-12), cautions against comparing ourselves to others in the kingdom. Our focus should be on God's goodness and our own obedience, not on what others receive or how long they have served.
• Trusting God's Goodness: Ultimately, this verse calls us to trust in God's perfect goodness and wisdom, even when His ways seem to defy our human logic or sense of fairness. His grace is sufficient for all.