"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. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
"And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
"Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
"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? 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.
"So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them [their] hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that [were hired] about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
"But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
"And when they had received [it], they murmured against the goodman of the house, 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.
"But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take [that] thine [is], and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
"So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."
Matt. 20:1-16
"And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
"Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
"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? 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.
"So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them [their] hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that [were hired] about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
"But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
"And when they had received [it], they murmured against the goodman of the house, 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.
"But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take [that] thine [is], and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
"So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."
Matt. 20:1-16
Although there are several points that can be taken to heart from this passage, I am going to focus on only one in this post.
As we can read, the basic events that took place are that a householder went out to hire people to work in his vineyards. No matter at what time of day they were hired, each received what was promised to the very first people that were employed. Each person received a "penny" (Greek: δηναριου - denarion, which means "ten asses", which would appear to be a pretty generous day's wages).
As we can read, the basic events that took place are that a householder went out to hire people to work in his vineyards. No matter at what time of day they were hired, each received what was promised to the very first people that were employed. Each person received a "penny" (Greek: δηναριου - denarion, which means "ten asses", which would appear to be a pretty generous day's wages).
Even though there was a sore spot amongst the early hires, the houseman made it clear that they received exactly what both parties had agreed on. There was no unfairness towards them. However, if he wanted to pay the late hires the same thing, that was his own choice and his own right to do so.
But, the key verse to this passage lies in verse sixteen:
But, the key verse to this passage lies in verse sixteen:
"ουτως εσονται οι εσχατοι πρωτοι και οι πρωτοι εσχατοι πολλοι γαρ εισιν κλητοι ολιγοι δε εκλεκτοι"
The reason I put the entire Greek verse here is that it carries an important context that might be overlooked in just the English translation. Also, there are several Bibles that don't even have the second part of the verse, which sincerely leads to a total distortion of the verse!
"Houto esomai ho eschatos protos kai ho protos eschatos", which is to say:
"Therefore it shall come to pass that the lowest will be highest and the highest will be the lowest." This is showing that this reversal is something that will happen in the future.
Now, let's look at a couple of verses real quick to see where this "first/last" promise is also seen:
The key point here is to remember this:
"Houto esomai ho eschatos protos kai ho protos eschatos", which is to say:
"Therefore it shall come to pass that the lowest will be highest and the highest will be the lowest." This is showing that this reversal is something that will happen in the future.
Now, let's look at a couple of verses real quick to see where this "first/last" promise is also seen:
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
Matt. 5:9
"Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
Matt. 11:11
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me."
Matt. 25:40
"And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great."
Luke 9:48
"If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church."
1 Cor. 6:4
"For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God."
1 Cor. 5:9
"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;"
Eph. 3:8
The reason that the reversal of positions will take place is because, even though the Gospel of Jesus has been preached to the world as an open invitation to all, very few have been selected (chosen) to be part God's family. Those that are rich, powerful, successful, important, etc.--they will not carry over their wealth to the next world. Those that have given up their lives, property, will and desire in order to die each day so that Jesus can live through them, they will become the royality by adoption in the next world.Matt. 5:9
"Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
Matt. 11:11
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me."
Matt. 25:40
"And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great."
Luke 9:48
"If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church."
1 Cor. 6:4
"For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God."
1 Cor. 5:9
"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;"
Eph. 3:8
OK, you get the point. It is a very important aspect in the eyes of God that those who are least in this world are greatest in the Kingdom of God. But, why is that point driven home here? What is it that makes this statement such that it is?
Gar.
Yep, that's right. The next word in verse sixteen is γαρ, pronounced "gar". According to the Strong's Greek Dictionary, it is....
Gar.
Yep, that's right. The next word in verse sixteen is γαρ, pronounced "gar". According to the Strong's Greek Dictionary, it is....
"A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)."
So, we can look at the second part of the verse to tell us the reason that the first will be last and the last will be first.
"πολλοι γαρ εισιν κλητοι ολιγοι δε εκλεκτοι"
"...polus gar eisi kletos oligos de eklektos", or in English:
"...the reason being many they are that are invited, far less are those chosen."
"...the reason being many they are that are invited, far less are those chosen."
The key point here is to remember this:
"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
"Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."
John 15:14-16
"Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."
John 15:14-16
Our time on earth is not about success, it is not about wealth, it's not even about survival. It is about being a servant to Jesus, so that He can raise us up to be friends and family. If we, instead, aim to be of importance in this life, we shall find ourselves being reduced in status in the coming kingdom.
Always aim to be the servant.
Grace and Peace....
Always aim to be the servant.
Grace and Peace....
