Parable of Labourers of the Vineyard – Matt 20:1-16

World Youth Day Mass 16th Aug 2011

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17

Mass Introduction MATTHEW 20:1-16

In the Gospel today has Peter and the disciples the select audience for the parable of the Labourers in the Vineyard. ……….

Jesus is talking to the disciples in this parable Rather differently, on this occasion, it is not addressed to the Pharisee or the crowds.

The last verse of the previous paragraph is a transition and is repeated at the end; “Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last" (v 16)..”

The whole parable is really Jesus commentary on the action about the rich young man.

As Jesus words to the disciples, this morning, as disciple, we are given much for thought. “Why be envious because I am generous.”

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Note : Commentary "

R. Knox & R. Cox,  The Gospel Storyp.279

Parable of Labourers of the Vineyard – Matt 20:1-16.

There is no change of audience; Jesus is still speaking to his disciples, not to the Pharisees, or the crowds. Ordinarily parables were used for the people, not for the apostles; but Jesus Sometimes made exceptions to this rule (pp. 182, 238, 334). The parable is closely linked with the preceding incident; the last verse of the previous paragraph is the transition, and is repeated again at the end of the parable. This parable illustrates the part played by the grace of God in the kingdom; it is a free gift that he gives to whomever he wills; God is not only just, he is lavish with undeserved favours. This is exemplified both in the apostles, who were last in rank (compared with the Pharisees) but have now become the rulers ('first') of the kingdom, and the Gentiles, who were last in time (the Jews were called centuries before) but will soon be predominant ('first') in the kingdom. .

The whole parable is really a commentary on Jesus' statement to the apostles about the rich young man, 'To God all things are possible' (p. 276). God's grace plays its part in the kingdom, as well as man's own effort. In a similar parable, Jesus showed the need of personal striving to enter the kingdom (p. 250); here he takes up the other side of the picture (a line of thought familiar in St. Paul, e.g. Romans, 9, 14-16). There was danger that the apostles would be influenced by the outlook of their first teachers, the Pharisees (p. 166); these looked on God's favours as their just rights; Jesus' attitude to publicans and sinners was something they disapproved of (p. 256). So, by this parable, Our Lord wished to impress on his followers God's mercy and grace to those who have not merited it, such as the penitent thief (p. 400).

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Afternote, Tauler

Matthew 20:1, “A landowner went out early….”  Johann Tauler (14th century) focused on the word ‘early’.  God takes the first step, he said; God always works ‘early’.  Tauler sees the whole sweep of Revelation in this word ‘early’.  “In one sense our Lord went out early by His eternal birth, by which he came forth from the Father's heart, without ever leaving it. In another sense our Lord Jesus Christ went out early when He took human nature upon Himself, so that He might make terms with us and call us back into His vineyard.”