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Matthew 20:1-16 | The Master’s Field
Jesus is providing a parable - a story to illustrate the principle of the first will be last and the last will be first. In this story, the master employs and sends workers for his field, expanding his workforce. The master keeps his word and is fair. He pays the workers, not cheating his workers by changing their wages. The master is generous to his workers. The master is the master. He gets to do what he chooses with what belongs to him. But, when the first laborers see what the last were paid, they grumble, expecting more than those who only worked one hour.
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”
Matthew 20:1-16
God is like the master. He is true to his word, and he is generous. In his kingdom, we gain access to Him, not through our own efforts, but through Jesus. God gives generously to everyone who enters the kingdom, no matter whether we are first or last.
Discussion Questions
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
Jesus is providing a parable - a story to illustrate the principle of the first will be last and the last will be first. In this story, the master employs and sends workers for his field, expanding his workforce. The master keeps his word and is fair. He pays the workers, not cheating his workers by changing their wages. The master is generous to his workers. The master is the master. He gets to do what he chooses with what belongs to him. But, when the first laborers see what the last were paid, they grumble, expecting more than those who only worked one hour.
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”
Matthew 20:1-16
God is like the master. He is true to his word, and he is generous. In his kingdom, we gain access to Him, not through our own efforts, but through Jesus. God gives generously to everyone who enters the kingdom, no matter whether we are first or last.
Discussion Questions
- Where did you learn your work ethic - your values and beliefs about working? Why is it important?
- How can we apply these same ethics to being a laborer for the Lord, who is not idle?
- What does the payment of the laborers suggest about how God gives grace?
- What is your response to God’s generosity?
- When have you found yourself comparing your efforts or rewards to others?
- What might it look like to trust God’s generosity rather than measure outcomes by comparison?
- What comfort or challenge does this story offer to people who come to faith later in life?
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
- How is your time with God?
- What are you praying for?
- What are you struggling with?
- Who are you praying for to know Jesus?
- What gospel conversations have you had this week with someone who doesn’t follow Jesus?