Matthew Chapter 20, Verse 1
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1: ομοια γαρ εστιν η βασιλεια των ουρανων ανθρωπω οικοδεσποτη οστις εξηλθεν αμα πρωι μισθωσασθαι εργατας εις τον αμπελωνα αυτου
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.
1: The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who went out
early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
'For the kingdom of heaven, etc. The word "for" shows that this chapter should have been connected with the preceding. The parable was spoken expressly to illustrate the sentiment in the last verse of that chapter. The kingdom of heaven means here the church, including perhaps its state here and hereafter. See Barnes "Mt 3:2".
It has reference to rewards; and the meaning may be thus expressed: "Rewards shalt be bestowed in my kingdom, or on my followers, in the same manner as they were by a certain householder, in such a way as that the last shall be equal to the first, and the first last."
An householder. A master of a family. One at the head of family affairs.
His vineyard. No inconsiderable part of Judea was employed in the culture of the grape. Vineyards are often used, therefore, to represent a fertile or well cultivated place; and hence the church, denoting the care and culture that God has bestowed on it, Isa 5:7, Jer 12:10. For the manner of their construction, see See Barnes "Mt 21:33".
