The Laborers in the Vineyard Parable

Jesus tells many parables throughout His ministry on earth, many pertaining to the numerous analogies of the Kingdom of Heaven. A notable analogy is that of the Laborers in the Vineyard. This parable compares the Kingdom of Heaven to that of a man that owned a vineyard. The owner of the vineyard goes out five times a day to bring in workers. Then, at the end of the day, the owner pays each of the workers the same amount of money no matter what time of day they began working—this confused and upset the first of the workers. Today, we’re still confused by this parable. Who is the master of the vineyard? What is the vineyard? Who are the laborers in the vineyard? And why is each laborer in the vineyard paid the same amount? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he opens our eyes to the purpose of this analogy of the Kingdom of Heaven in his video, The Laborers in the Vineyard Parable.

The Laborers in the Vineyard Parable

Dissecting The Parable

¹ 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

Who is the Owner of the Vineyard?

God (Jesus) is the owner of the vineyard in the parable.

What is the Vineyard?

The vineyard in the parable represents the world.

Who are the Laborers?

The laborers in the vineyard in the parable are those who harken to the clarion call of Jesus to work in the harvest fields. In other words, those who save souls through the faithful teaching of the word, and the witnessing of those who believe, as well as those who support or help another worker.

What is the Work the laborers did in the vineyard?

¹ He went away from there and came to His hometown, and His disciples followed Him. ² And on the Sabbath He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to Him? How are such mighty works done by His hands? ³ Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him. ⁴ And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” ⁵ And He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. ⁶ And He marveled because of their unbelief.

Mark 6:1–6

¹³ You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

¹⁴ You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16

The work the laborers do in the vineyard in the parable is doing the work of God:

Ministering
Sharing your testimony
Sharing the Gospel
Using your Spiritual Gifts

How are they all paid the same?

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