Matthew 20:1-2
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The word "For" at the beginning isn't just a transition; it directly links this parable to Jesus' preceding statement, "the last shall be first and the first shall be last." This means the entire story is Jesus' explanation for why that surprising reversal is true within God's kingdom.
“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. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This parable begins immediately after Jesus declares that "many who are first will be last, and the last first," a statement that arises from Peter's question about their reward for following Him. Jesus then uses the story of a vineyard owner hiring laborers throughout the day to illustrate how God dispenses His grace and rewards in the kingdom, showing that those called later are not less valued than those who answered the call earlier.
Ever feel like you're just going through the motions? This parable starts by showing us that God's call isn't just about earning a living, but about joining His purpose.
Jesus begins this parable with "For the kingdom of heaven is like..." (Matthew 20:1). The word 'For' (Greek: gar) signals that this story directly explains and confirms the statement made in the previous verse: 'So the last will be first, and the first will be last' (Matthew 19:30). This isn't just a casual story; it's a theological explanation.
The householder going out "early in the morning" (Matthew 20:1) wasn't just looking for any workers. He was initiating a divine invitation into his grand plan – cultivating his vineyard. The vineyard itself often symbolizes God's people or His intended good work in the world. So, from the very start, Jesus frames participation in God's kingdom not as a mere transaction, but as an active involvement in God's ongoing project.
Imagine standing in the town square, waiting. What does that place represent in God's grand scheme?
The parable highlights the 'market-place' where idle laborers are found. This setting is significant because it represents a state of waiting, of readiness, but also of inaction without direction. These laborers weren't idle by choice; they were idle because no one had hired them. They were available but unassigned to a purposeful task.
This imagery speaks volumes about our spiritual condition before God calls us. We might be in the 'market-place' of the world, capable of working, perhaps even willing, but without the specific call and assignment from the Master of the vineyard, our efforts are unfocused and unproductive in His kingdom's economy.
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Understand the original words
basileia tōn ouranōn · Greek Noun
The sovereign rule and reign of God, both in the present spiritual sense through Christ and in its future, consummated state. It signifies the realm where God’s will is perfectly done.
oikodespotēs · Greek Noun
One who owns and manages a household. In scripture, this term often depicts God as the owner and manager of his people or his creation.
ergatēs · Greek Noun
Those who exert effort for a specific result. In a spiritual context, it often refers to those engaged in the work of God’s kingdom.
ampelōn · Greek Noun
A space dedicated to the growth of vines, often used as a metaphor for Israel or the people of God who are expected to bear fruit for the Owner.
dēnarion · Greek Noun
A Roman silver coin, typically the standard daily wage for a common laborer or soldier in the first century. It represents a standard of fairness or covenantal agreement.
This passage also uses the metaphor of a vineyard to describe God's people and His care for them, setting the stage for Jesus' later use of the imagery.
Luke 13:29This verse speaks of people coming from east and west, north and south to recline in the kingdom of God, echoing the broad inclusion of laborers from different times in Matthew 20.
Romans 9:14-18Paul grapples with God's sovereignty and mercy, particularly concerning who receives His favor, which directly relates to the householder's seemingly unfair distribution of wages in the parable.
Philippians 3:13-14Paul's exhortation to forget what is behind and press on towards the goal reflects the idea of continuous service and striving for the reward, even if one has already served for a long time.
vincentMatthew 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."
For (γάρ)Explaining and confirming Matthew 19:30.Early in the morning (ἅμα πρωὶ)Along with the dawn. "Here (at Hamadan, in Persia), we observed every morning, before the sun rose, that a numerous band of peasants were collected, with spades in their hands, waiting to be hired for the day to work in the surrounding fields. This custom s…
calvinMatthew 20:1-16: "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."
- For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder, who went out at break of day to hire laborers into his vineyard. 2. And having made an agreement with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3. And having gone out about the third hour, he saw others standing idle in the market-place. 4. And he said to them, Go…
The word "For" at the beginning isn't just a transition; it directly links this parable to Jesus' preceding statement, "the last shall be first and the first shall be last." This means the entire story is Jesus' explanation for why that surprising reversal is true within God's kingdom.
This parable begins immediately after Jesus declares that "many who are first will be last, and the last first," a statement that arises from Peter's question about their reward for following Him. Jesus then uses the story of a vineyard owner hiring laborers throughout the day to illustrate how God dispenses His grace and rewards in the kingdom, showing that those called later are not less valued than those who answered the call earlier.
This parable begins immediately after Jesus declares that "many who are first will be last, and the last first," a statement that arises from Peter's question about their reward for following Him. Jesus then uses the story of a vineyard owner hiring laborers throughout the day to illustrate how God dispenses His grace and rewards in the kingdom, showing that those called later are not less valued than those who answered the call earlier.
"“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. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard." — The word "For" at the beginning isn't just a transition; it directly links this parable to Jesus' preceding statement, "the last shall be first and the first shall be last." This means the entire sto…
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Last reviewed October 2026
