Matthew 20

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard

1“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. 5Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ 7They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’

8“So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ 9And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, 12saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ 13But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15#(Rom. 9:20, 21)Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or #Deut. 15:9; Prov. 23:6; (Matt. 6:23); Mark 7:22is your eye evil because I am good?’ 16#Matt. 19:30; Mark 10:31; Luke 13:30So the last will be first, and the first last. #Matt. 22:14For many are called, but few chosen.”

Jesus a Third Time Predicts His Death and Resurrection

17#Matt. 20:17–19; Mark 10:32–34; Luke 18:31–33; John 12:12Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, 18#Matt. 16:21; 26:47–57; Mark 14:42, 64; John 18:5; 19:7“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, 19#Matt. 27:2; Mark 15:1, 16; Luke 23:1; John 18:28; Acts 3:13and deliver Him to the Gentiles to #Matt. 26:67, 68; 27:29, 41; Mark 15:20, 31mock and to #Matt. 27:26; Mark 15:15; John 19:1scourge and to #Matt. 27:35; Luke 23:33; Acts 3:13–15crucify. And the third day He will #Matt. 28:5, 6; Mark 16:6, 9; Luke 24:5–8, 46; Acts 10:40; 1 Cor. 15:4rise again.”

Greatness Is Serving

20#Mark 10:35–45Then the mother of #Matt. 4:21; 10:2Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.

21And He said to her, “What do you wish?”

She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine #(Matt. 19:28)may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”

22But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink #Is. 51:17, 22; Jer. 49:12; Matt. 26:39, 42; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42; John 18:11the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with #Luke 12:50the baptism that I am baptized with?”

They said to Him, “We are able.”

23So He said to them, #(Acts 12:2; Rom. 8:17; 2 Cor. 1:7; Rev. 1:9)“You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”

24#Mark 10:41; Luke 22:24, 25And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 25But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26Yet #(1 Pet. 5:3)it shall not be so among you; but #Matt. 23:11; Mark 9:35; 10:43; Luke 22:26whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27#(Matt. 18:4)And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28#John 13:4just as the #(Matt. 26:28; John 13:13; 2 Cor. 8:9; Phil. 2:6, 7; 1 Tim. 2:5, 6; Titus 2:14; Heb. 9:28; Rev. 1:5)Son of Man did not come to be served, #Luke 22:27; John 13:14but to serve, and #(Is. 53:10, 11; Dan. 9:24, 26; John 11:51, 52; 1 Pet. 1:18, 19)to give His life a ransom #(Rom. 5:15, 19; Heb. 9:28)for many.”

Two Blind Men Receive Their Sight

29#Mark 10:46–52; Luke 18:35–43Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. 30And behold, #Matt. 9:27two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, #(2 Sam. 7:14–17; Ps. 89:3–5, 19–37; Is. 11:10–12; Ezek. 37:21–25); Matt. 1:1; Luke 1:31, 32; (Acts 15:14–17)Son of David!”

31Then the multitude #Matt. 19:13warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!”

32So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

33They said to Him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” 34So Jesus had #Matt. 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 18:27compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.

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Matthew 20: NKJV

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