Parable of the Vineyard Householder

[dewey]

Greetings and good tidings to all!Well, I have two questions, I hope it is alright that I started a new thread about it.In Matthew chapter 20:1 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.I notice that the first time he went out to hire workers, an agreement was made for a penny (denarius) per day in verse 2. But in verse 4 he says: Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And in verse 7 the householder goes out again to hire and says after he finds other workers: Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. I am curious if there is something within these noted differences that has any special meaning. I guess this is my first question.My other question about this parable is in verse 1620:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.I think I understand the first part of this verse to be telling us that we can all be saved equally no matter when we begin to work for God?And as for the second part of this verse, God would have it that all his children be saved, but he knows some will not?If I am correct in this interpertation I still have a feeling inside that there is deeper meaning to be learned.Thank you for your time once again.God Bless You and Yours'dewey

 

[Christina]

Not only is it OK to post these questions they are most welcome and appreciated that all my learn. This parable can be taught on a couple different levels as Gods Word has 3 levels of teaching it is an anthology of how God/Christ judges and salvation shown through the form of a business ..it is given from a Heavenly point of view..Householder here is God/Christ First your question.. a Penny was a fair Days wage at the time ..basically what we see here is that the first workers agreed to labour all day for a fair days wage .. Later in the Day more workers were hired they were also paid a fair days wage ..Now from mans perspective we may think this unfair that one that laboured from morning til night got the same pay as one who laboured for a shorter period of time But this is Gods way his view and all the salvation/blessings pay (pennies/wages) are his to give as he sees fit. Your second question continues in the same line of thought on one level you could see this as Jew and Gentile. The Jew though first called (labored all day) the gentile called last (labored) for a shorter period of time You could also on a deeper level understand this parable on a future level Matthew 20:3 "And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,"When it is picking season, the vineyard needs all the laborers that it can get, and the Master of the vineyard hired all those that were standing by at the third hour; or about nine o'clock. Matthew 20:4 "And said unto them; 'Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you.' "The Master of the vineyard agreed that at the end of the day, he would be just. And they went into the vineyard and worked. Matthew 20:5 "Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise."He did the same thing in the sixth hour, or at noon, and in the ninth hour, and He guaranteed them also that He would be fair also with themMatthew 20:6 "And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, 'Why stand ye here all the day idle?' "Here it is now at 5 P.M. and the Master went out and hired one last group of idle laborers, standing by, and He sent them to the field to pick for Him. There is only time for one hour of work, and the day is finished. This is very similar to the period of time we are in today as we are approaching the end of this flesh age very rapidly. We are coming up also on that final hour of temptationIn the futurist view The labourers who work the the Last hour, the hour of temptation, Are the Elect that overcome until thee End, they may not have laboured all day (as long ) but they have more to overcome in that hour of temptation of Antichrist upon the earth. So God is basically saying everyone will be awarded a fair days pay for their labour as he sees fit to give. Matthew 20:7 "They say unto him, 'Because no man hath hired us.' He saith unto them, 'Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.' "The Master is telling these men also to trust Him for their wages, for He is going to guarantee a fair wage. So we have people that have gone to the field at dawn, 9 A.M., noon, 3 P.M., and now at 5 P.M. when it is almost quitting time. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>It isn't an either or choice in these cases of which view you take they are all correct as the lesson/message is the same. Only Its application applys to more than one place/event Gods word has a general understanding of surface text for the Babe or newer student then a 2nd and 3rd level for the deeper student.We can know this from the clues that are given in the scripture here, we have things spoken of we can relate to other scripture, a harvest time an hour ect. all relating to End times so we can know on a 3rd level this can be applied to and End time harvest as well as the gentile harvest. "There is nothing new under the sun" (everything that happpened before will happen again )

 

[dewey]

Got it Chris and thanks for answering so soon. You have helped us here very much. My Family and I began understanding more from the bible when we came across Pastor Arnold Murray about four years ago. He really helped us get a good foundation going and some deeper studies as well, but this type of forum is sure great to be able to come to and get one on one participation. Thanks Again!We'll keep on diggin!:blessyou:

 

[elmo]

dewey I would like to present a similar perspective on this issueWhen you look at the verse, "So the last shall be first and the first, for many will be called but few chosen."There is another verse in the New Testament that Jesus himself speaks (paraphrased)If you care for the least of these you care for me, if you do not care for them, then you will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.Jesus is refering the the unfortunate people like the poor, homeless disabled etc.Another verse conntnected to this: "Do unto others as you have them do unto youBoth of thse connected mean, God doesn't look on the outside but on the insideIf your heart is pure, you will see GodIf not, you will have labored in veiin and those you labored less will be first and you will be last

 

[dewey]

Thank you for your input elmo, that definately gives me more to think about within this parable.Hope you had a Great Christmas and have a Happy New Year

 

[Guestman]

In the illustration of the man who hired workers for his vineyard at Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus is answering Peter's question of having "left all things and followed you; what actually will there be for us ?" Hence, Jesus gives this illustration to point out the heart attitude of the religious leaders and their eventual destiny and of those who will serve as ambassadors of God's kingdom.

“MANY that are first,” Jesus just said, “will be last and the last first.” Now he illustrates this by telling a story. “The kingdom of the heavens,” he begins, “is like a man, a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.”

Jesus continues: “When [the householder] had agreed with the workers for a denarius a day (74 cents), he sent them forth into his vineyard. Going out also about the third hour, he saw others standing unemployed in the marketplace; and to those he said, ‘You also, go into the vineyard, and whatever is just I will give you.’ So off they went. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour and did likewise. Finally, about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing, and he said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day unemployed?’ They said to him, ‘Because nobody has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into the vineyard.’”

The householder, or owner of the vineyard, is Jehovah God, and the vineyard is the nation of Israel. The workers in the vineyard are persons brought into the Law covenant; they are specifically those Jews living in the days of the apostles. It is only with the full-day workers that a wage agreement is made. The wage is a denarius for the day’s work. Since “the third hour” is 9:00 a.m., those called at the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 11th hours work, respectively, only 9, 6, 3, and 1 hours.

The 12-hour, or full-day, workers represent the Jewish leaders who have been occupied continually in religious service. They are unlike Jesus’ disciples, who have, for most of their lives, been employed in fishing or other secular occupations. Not until the fall of 29 C.E. did the “householder” send Jesus Christ to gather these to be his disciples. They thus became “the last,” or the 11th-hour vineyard workers.

Finally, the symbolic workday ends with the death of Jesus, and the time comes to pay the workers. The unusual rule of paying the last first is followed, as is explained: “When it became evening, the master of the vineyard said to his man in charge, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, proceeding from the last to the first.’ When the eleventh-hour men came, they each received a denarius. So, when the first came, they concluded they would receive more; but they also received pay at the rate of a denarius. On receiving it they began to murmur against the householder and said, ‘These last put in one hour’s work; still you made them equal to us who bore the burden of the day and the burning heat!’ But in reply to one of them he said, ‘Fellow, I do you no wrong. You agreed with me for a denarius, did you not? Take what is yours and go. I want to give to this last one the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I want with my own things? Or is your eye wicked because I am good?’” In conclusion, Jesus repeated a point made earlier, saying: “In this way the last ones will be first, and the first ones last.”

The receiving of the denarius occurs, not at Jesus’ death, but at Pentecost 33 C.E., when Christ, the “man in charge,” pours out holy spirit on his disciples. These disciples of Jesus are like “the last,” or the 11th-hour, workers. The denarius does not represent the gift of the holy spirit itself. The denarius is something for the disciples to use here on earth. It is something that means their livelihood, their everlasting life. It is the privilege of being a spiritual Israelite, anointed to preach about God’s Kingdom.

Soon those hired first observe that Jesus’ disciples have been paid, and they see them using the symbolic denarius. But they want more than the holy spirit and its associated Kingdom privileges. Their murmuring and objections take the form of persecuting Christ’s disciples, “the last” workers in the vineyard.

Is that first-century fulfillment the only fulfillment of Jesus’ illustration? No, the clergy of Christendom in this 20th century have, by reason of their positions and responsibilities, been “first” to be hired for work in God’s symbolic vineyard. They considered dedicated preachers associated with the God of the Bible, Jehovah, to be “the last” ones to have any valid assignment in God’s service. But it is, in fact, these very ones, whom the clergy despised, who received the denarius—the honor of serving as anointed ambassadors of God’s heavenly Kingdom. Matthew 19:27–20:16.

(source of information - The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, Chp 97)

 

[JarBreaker]

“MANY that are first,” Jesus just said, “will be last and the last first.” Now he illustrates this by telling a story. “The kingdom of the heavens,” he begins, “is like a man, a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.”

Jesus continues: “When [the householder] had agreed with the workers for a denarius a day (74 cents), he sent them forth into his vineyard. Going out also about the third hour, he saw others standing unemployed in the marketplace; and to those he said, ‘You also, go into the vineyard, and whatever is just I will give you.’ So off they went. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour and did likewise. Finally, about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing, and he said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day unemployed?’ They said to him, ‘Because nobody has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into the vineyard.’”

The householder, or owner of the vineyard, is Jehovah God, and the vineyard is the nation of Israel. The workers in the vineyard are persons brought into the Law covenant; they are specifically those Jews living in the days of the apostles. It is only with the full-day workers that a wage agreement is made. The wage is a denarius for the day’s work. Since “the third hour” is 9:00 a.m., those called at the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 11th hours work, respectively, only 9, 6, 3, and 1 hours.

The 12-hour, or full-day, workers represent the Jewish leaders who have been occupied continually in religious service. They are unlike Jesus’ disciples, who have, for most of their lives, been employed in fishing or other secular occupations. Not until the fall of 29 C.E. did the “householder” send Jesus Christ to gather these to be his disciples. They thus became “the last,” or the 11th-hour vineyard workers.

Finally, the symbolic workday ends with the death of Jesus, and the time comes to pay the workers. The unusual rule of paying the last first is followed, as is explained: “When it became evening, the master of the vineyard said to his man in charge, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, proceeding from the last to the first.’ When the eleventh-hour men came, they each received a denarius. So, when the first came, they concluded they would receive more; but they also received pay at the rate of a denarius. On receiving it they began to murmur against the householder and said, ‘These last put in one hour’s work; still you made them equal to us who bore the burden of the day and the burning heat!’ But in reply to one of them he said, ‘Fellow, I do you no wrong. You agreed with me for a denarius, did you not? Take what is yours and go. I want to give to this last one the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I want with my own things? Or is your eye wicked because I am good?’” In conclusion, Jesus repeated a point made earlier, saying: “In this way the last ones will be first, and the first ones last.”

The receiving of the denarius occurs, not at Jesus’ death, but at Pentecost 33 C.E., when Christ, the “man in charge,” pours out holy spirit on his disciples. These disciples of Jesus are like “the last,” or the 11th-hour, workers. The denarius does not represent the gift of the holy spirit itself. The denarius is something for the disciples to use here on earth. It is something that means their livelihood, their everlasting life. It is the privilege of being a spiritual Israelite, anointed to preach about God’s Kingdom.

Soon those hired first observe that Jesus’ disciples have been paid, and they see them using the symbolic denarius. But they want more than the holy spirit and its associated Kingdom privileges. Their murmuring and objections take the form of persecuting Christ’s disciples, “the last” workers in the vineyard.

Is that first-century fulfillment the only fulfillment of Jesus’ illustration? No, the clergy of Christendom in this 20th century have, by reason of their positions and responsibilities, been “first” to be hired for work in God’s symbolic vineyard. They considered dedicated preachers associated with the God of the Bible, Jehovah, to be “the last” ones to have any valid assignment in God’s service. But it is, in fact, these very ones, whom the clergy despised, who received the denarius—the honor of serving as anointed ambassadors of God’s heavenly Kingdom. Matthew 19:27–20:16.

(source of information - The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, Chp 97)

I see a lot of this but think it can be taken farther to apply to the house of Judah specifically as the "day-long" workers ... those who agreed for that set price.

Where I differ is that pentecost isnt where payment takes place ... work ye while it is still light, we continue working til the end of the age and He returns.

The "day-long" laborers getting upset when those who had been called later are given the same wage is taken up in the Prodigal Son where the elder brother (Judah) is upset when the Father slays the fattened calf upon the return of the lost 10 tribes.

 

[Guestman]

I see a lot of this but think it can be taken farther to apply to the house of Judah specifically as the "day-long" workers ... those who agreed for that set price.

Where I differ is that pentecost isnt where payment takes place ... work ye while it is still light, we continue working til the end of the age and He returns.

The "day-long" laborers getting upset when those who had been called later are given the same wage is taken up in the Prodigal Son where the elder brother (Judah) is upset when the Father slays the fattened calf upon the return of the lost 10 tribes.

There never has been any "ten lost tribes", for some 200 years before even the nation of Israel was released from bondage to the Babylonians in 539 B.C.E., Hosea prophesied that "the sons of (the two tribes kingdom of ) Judah and the sons of (the ten tribe kingdom of ) Israel will certainly be collected together into a unity and will actually set up for themselves one head and go up out of the land, because great will be the day of Jez´re·el."(Hos 1:11) Thus, when they were freed from captivity to Babylon, about 50,000 Israelites from all the different tribes returned to the land of Israel to begin rebuilding the temple of Jehovah God there in Jerusalem.(Ezra 2:64, 65; Isa 56:8)

The captivity of seventy years at the hands of the Babylonians put an end to the separation of Judah and Israel. The conquerors made no distinction according to tribal origins when deporting the exiles. “The sons of Israel and the sons of Judah are being oppressed together,” Jehovah observed. (Jer 50:33) When the first contingent returned in 537 B.C.E., representatives of all the tribes of Israel were among them. Later, at the completion of the temple rebuilding, a sacrifice of 12 male goats was made, “according to the number of the tribes of Israel.” (Ezr 6:16, 17)

Such reunification after the captivity was indicated in prophecy. For example, Jehovah God promised to “bring Israel back.” (Jer 50:19) Furthermore, Jehovah said: “I will bring back the captives of Judah and the captives of Israel, and I will build them just as at the start.” (Jer 33:7) Ezekiel’s vision of the two sticks that were made one (37:15-28) indicated that the two kingdoms would again become one nation. Isaiah foretold that Jesus Christ would become a stumbling stone “to both the houses of Israel,” hardly meaning that Jesus, or the 12 whom he sent out during his third tour of Galilee, would have to visit settlements in far-off Media in order to preach to descendants of Israelites from the northern kingdom. (Isa 8:14; Matt 10:5, 6; 1Pet 2:8)

The prophetess Anna, in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’ birth, was of the tribe of Asher, which tribe was once numbered with the northern kingdom.(Luke 2:36) Hence, the parable or illustration at Matthew 20:1-16 applied to all Israel, with the two tribes of Judah and the ten tribes of Israel now united as one nation.

After Peter had told Jesus that "we have left all things and followed you", he then asked Jesus: "what actually will there be for us "(Matt 19:27) In answering, Jesus told his disciples that "when the Son of man sits down upon his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also you yourselves sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (earthly subjects of God's kingdom). And everyone that has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive many times more and will inherit everlasting life."

Jesus then says: "But many that are first will be last and the last first." From about the second century B.C.E., religious groups developed called the Pharisees and Sadducees. These appear on the scene as important voices, capable of swaying public opinion even to the point of rejecting Jesus as the Messiah. These opposed Jesus, loosing all opportunity to gain God's favor.

Thus to demonstrate this "truth", he proceeds to give an illustration of a "vineyard", in which those who are considered "first" supposedly in God's eyes, the religious leaders, are in fact "last" or not at all. That is why Jesus said to his disciples, to "watch out....for the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees."(Matt 16:12) Three days before his death, Jesus scathingly condemned the Pharisees, calling them "Serpents, offspring of vipers" and then asks: "how are you to flee from the judgment of Gehenna (everlasting destruction) ?"(Matt 23:33)

 

[veteran]

That's simply not true, the two houses are still split today.

Hosea 1:9-11
9 Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not My people, and I will not be your God.
10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, "Ye are not My people", there it shall be said unto them, "Ye are the sons of the living God."
11 Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.
(KJV)

Apostle Paul quoted that Hosea 1:10 verse in Romans 9, moving that Message to New Covenant times about the believing Gentiles being joined with the believing remnant of Israel.

Thus that "one head" represents Christ Jesus and the time of the saints being gathered to Him at His second coming, which has not yet happenned today! "Jezreel" (God sows) is about that future time when Christ returns, and believing Israel will be reestablished back to the lands God promised their fathers, the believing Gentiles established with them, both together as Christ's Body.


But what really happenned after the 70 years Babylon captivity of the house of Judah per history?

Only a very, very small remnant of JUST the "house of Judah" (Judah, Benjamin, and Levi) returned to Jerusalem to build the 2nd temple and the wall. Non-Israelite bondservants, like the priests and Nethinims who couldn't find their geneaology among Israel, returned to Jerusalem with them. NONE of the ten tribes are mentioned as returning then (Books of Ezra and Nehemiah). Ezra even had to send back to Babylon to get Levite priests for temple service, for he noticed none of the sons of Levi returning with the multitude (Ezra 8).

The MAJORITY of the house of Judah (3 tribes) chose to stay in Babylon. They had gotten comfortable during the 70 years captivity in Babylon, for God had taken care of them, even increased their number. And then that majority of the house of Judah left in Babylon were further scattered through the nations later.

Then in 70 A.D., the Roman general Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, and took many of that remnant of the house of Judah captive out of the holy land.

The Jewish historian Josephus (100 A.D.) said in his days, the ten tribes were STILL scattered abroad, and were a great number of people, too many to be numbered.

Anna of the tribe of Asher being In Jerusalem at the time of Christ's first coming does not disprove any of this, for in 1 Kings 12 SOME small remnants of the northern ten tribes went south to Jerusalem and joined with Judah, because they refused to bow in worship to the false golden calves that Jeroboam, king over the ten tribes, had instituted in Dan and Bethel.

But the majority of the ten tribes stayed in the north under Jeroboam, king of Israel, of the house of Joseph.

 

[Goinheix]

Greetings and good tidings to all!Well, I have two questions, I hope it is alright that I started a new thread about it.In Matthew chapter 20:1 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.I notice that the first time he went out to hire workers, an agreement was made for a penny (denarius) per day in verse 2. But in verse 4 he says: Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And in verse 7 the householder goes out again to hire and says after he finds other workers: Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. I am curious if there is something within these noted differences that has any special meaning. I guess this is my first question.My other question about this parable is in verse 1620:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.I think I understand the first part of this verse to be telling us that we can all be saved equally no matter when we begin to work for God?And as for the second part of this verse, God would have it that all his children be saved, but he knows some will not?If I am correct in this interpertation I still have a feeling inside that there is deeper meaning to be learned.Thank you for your time once again.God Bless You and Yours'dewey

The first thing you have to understand is that our salvation has nothing to dp with working for God.

 

[7angels]

ok the time difference they are talking of how refers to how long we are with Christ bring people into the kingdom. to God it does not matter if you are just started or have been saving people for 60 years. the hours are referring to how long in a persons life they have been going out collecting people and bringing them into the kingdom. quitting time represents the end of our life here on earth. what is happening in this verse is God went out looking for people to preach his word and gather in people for his kingdom. the people who started serving the Lord their whole life are first and the last ones are those that started late in life bringing people into the kingdom.

the last shall be first, and the first last: this portion is referring back to matt 19:27-29 this is referring to all the people of God. it is saying that just because you were one of the first to come to God and offer yourself to him does not mean you will receive the best rewards. God rewards us by how well we follow his commands, how well we live for God, putting God 1st in our life, being willing and obedient to do what God says, and ect... so even if you may not of served God as long as everyone else just putting God first in everything and doing his will willingly and obediently can allow God to reward you more than another. thus putting the last man first in rewards in the kingdom.

for many be called, but few chosen is referring to God calling his people to do his will but for one reason or another do not respond to his call. only a select few ever respond to live a life of servitude to the Lord(this is why Jesus says that the harvests are ripe but there are not enough harvesters).

 

[veteran]

At the end of Matt.19, and again in Mark 9, are other accounts of how Christ used that idea of many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first, He was applying it to His servants, not to those who refuse Him.

That parable is about the difference between those called to believe vs. those He's already chosen (meaning His elect sent ones). It's not just about the chosen nation of Israel, but Christ's elect among the Gentiles too. It's about His Church that remains faithful, of all nations and peoples. For today, when the unfaithful among His Body are pruned, those who remain in Him to the end will be His chosen ones.

Matt 20:9-16
9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

Those workers called at the first had worked all the day and received the same as the last laborers who only worked for one hour. They represent those of Israel that think since they were God's chosen nation and people, that they should receive more. Problem though is many of Israel refused Christ Jesus as God's Promised Saviour. So the Kingdom and vineyard went to spiritual Israel made up of all peoples that have believed on Jesus Christ.

13 But he answered one of them, and said, "Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
(KJV)

It's according to the timeline of His Salvation Plan for this world. The first workers called represent peoples of believing Israel and nations that did not refuse Him, but the last workers represent His chosen elect for the last days, including His Apostles and those chosen of both Israelites and Gentiles for a specific duty in the last days. That 'eleventh hour' represents the last days of Christ's laborers in the field, as the field represents the world per the tares parable of Matt.13.