MAT 20

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard

1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man, the master of a house—a landowner, who went out early in the morning at dawn to engage workers for his vineyard.

2 And after reaching an agreement with the workers for a denarius per day—a normal day's wage, he sent them into his vineyard to work.

3 And going out about the third hour—nine o'clock in the morning, he saw others standing aimlessly in the marketplace without employment.

4 And to them he said, 'You too, go into the vineyard and work, and I will render to you whatever is equitable.'

5 So they departed to work. When he went out once more about the sixth hour—noon—and the ninth hour—three o'clock, he acted in the same way and hired more workers.

6 And about the eleventh hour—five o'clock, just one hour before quitting time, having gone out and found others standing around, he said to them, 'Why have you been standing here the whole day aimlessly without work?'

7 They said to him, 'Because no one has engaged us or hired us.' He said to them, 'You too, go into the vineyard and work.'

8 And when evening came at six o'clock, the master of the vineyard said to his domestic manager, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last hired unto the first hired.'

9 And when the ones who were engaged about the eleventh hour came forward, they each received a denarius—a full day's wage.

10 And when the first workers hired came, they thought that they would receive more than the agreed amount, but they also each received a denarius—exactly what was promised.

11 And when they received it, they began to grumble against the master of the house in complaint.

12 saying, 'These last people worked for only one hour and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the oppressive heat for twelve hours.'

13 But in response, he said to one of them, 'Friend, I am not acting unjustly towards you. Did you not reach an agreement with me for a denarius?

14 Take what is yours according to our agreement and go. But I choose to give to this last person just as I give to you—this is my generous choice.

15 Is it not allowed for me to do what I choose with what is mine—my own money? Or is your eye evil with envy because I am good and generous?'

16 So the last will be first and the first last in the kingdom."

Jesus Speaks of His Death a Third Time

Mk. 10:32-34; Lk. 18:31-34

17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem for the final time, He took the twelve disciples aside privately and said to them on the road,

18 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will sentence Him to death,

19 and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock Him, and to flog Him brutally, and to crucify Him; and on the third day, He will be raised from the dead."

A Request for Preferment

Mk. 10:35-45

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Him with her sons James and John and, kneeling in reverence, she requested something from Him.

21 And He said to her, "What do you desire and wish from Me?" She said to Him, "Say and grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one at Your right hand and one at Your left—the positions of highest honour—in Your kingdom."

22 But in response, Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup of suffering that I am about to drink?" They said to Him naively, "We are able."

23 He stated to them, "You will indeed drink My cup of suffering and martyrdom, but to sit at My right hand and at My left is not Mine to give as I choose, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father according to His sovereign plan."

24 And having heard this request, the ten other disciples were greatly indignant with the two brothers for their ambition and self-seeking.

25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

26 It shall not be in this way among you in the kingdom. But whoever desires to become great among you must be your servant and minister to others,

27 and whoever desires to be first among you must be your slave—the lowest position, willing to serve all.

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served by others, but to serve sacrificially, and to offer His life a ransom for many—a payment to redeem sinners from bondage."

Jesus Heals the Two Blind Men

Mk. 10:46-52; Lk. 18:35-43

29 And as they were departing from Jericho on their way to Jerusalem, a large crowd followed Him.

30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting beside the road begging. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out loudly, saying, "Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!"—acknowledging Him as the Christ.

31 And the crowd rebuked them so that they would be quiet and not disturb Jesus. But they cried out all the more persistently, saying, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!"

32 And when He stopped walking, Jesus called them to Him, and said, "What do you desire that I should do for you?"

33 They said to Him, "Lord, grant that our eyes may be opened so we can see."

34 And, moved by compassion for their plight, Jesus touched their eyes with healing power, and immediately they regained their sight and were restored. And they followed Him as disciples, glorifying God.

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MAT 20: AFINT

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