Matthew 20
Grace Does Not Keep Score
Matthew 20 shows us that God's kingdom does not follow the world's rules about pay, power, and importance. Jesus teaches about God's goodness, prepares His followers for His death, and shows the kind of love that stops to help people others push aside.
Walking Through Matthew 20
The Owner's Open Hand (Matthew 20:1-16)
1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 And after agreeing with the workers for the standard wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When it was about nine o’clock in the morning, he went out again and saw others standing around in the marketplace without work. 4 He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and I will give you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went. When he went out again about noon and three o’clock that afternoon, he did the same thing. 6 And about five o’clock that afternoon he went out and found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why are you standing here all day without work?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go and work in the vineyard too.’ 8 When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages starting with the last hired until the first.’ 9 When those hired about five o’clock came, each received a full day’s pay. 10 And when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more. But each one also received the standard wage. 11 When they received it, they began to complain against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last fellows worked one hour, and you have made them equal to us who bore the hardship and burning heat of the day.’ 13 And the landowner replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am not treating you unfairly. Didn’t you agree with me to work for the standard wage? 14 Take what is yours and go. I want to give to this last man the same as I gave to you. 15 Am I not permitted to do what I want with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”Matthew 20:1-16 · NET Bible
Jesus tells about a landowner who hires workers at different times throughout the day. The first workers agree to a denarius, a usual day's wage. Others begin later, including some who work only the final hour. When evening comes, the owner pays everyone the same amount, starting with those hired last. The early workers complain, but the owner has kept his promise. Their anger comes from seeing his kindness toward others.
This story is not a rule for setting wages. It shows God's freedom to be generous. In the setting of Jesus' teaching about rewards, it warns against treating God as though He owes us more than He owes someone else. I want us to notice that no worker is cheated. The owner's goodness is the very thing being questioned. God's grace, His freely given kindness, leaves no room for pride over our place in line.
The Road Jesus Chose (Matthew 20:17-19)
17 As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve aside privately and said to them on the way, 18 “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the experts in the law. They will condemn him to death, 19 and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged severely and crucified. Yet on the third day, he will be raised.”Matthew 20:17-19 · NET Bible
As Jesus goes toward Jerusalem, He takes the twelve aside and tells them what lies ahead. He will be handed over to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will sentence Him to death and turn Him over to the Gentiles, meaning people who are not Jewish. Here, that points to the Roman rulers and soldiers. He will be mocked, whipped, and crucified. On the third day, He will be raised.
Jesus is not walking into danger without knowing it. He understands the suffering ahead, yet He keeps going. His death will not mean His mission has failed. His rising again is part of what He promises. I find deep comfort here: the Savior who teaches us about God's goodness is also choosing the costly road by which He will save us.
Honor Without Understanding (Matthew 20:20-23)
20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling down she asked him for a favor. 21 He said to her, “What do you want?” She replied, “Permit these two sons of mine to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He told them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right and at my left is not mine to give. Rather, it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”Matthew 20:20-23 · NET Bible
The mother of Zebedee's sons comes with her sons and asks Jesus to give them the highest places beside Him in His kingdom. These sons are James and John. Their request shows that they expect Jesus to reign, but they still do not understand the road He must take. Jesus has just spoken of the cross; they are thinking about seats of honor.
Jesus asks whether they can drink His cup. The cup is a picture of the suffering He will face. They quickly say they can. Jesus tells them that they will indeed share in suffering for Him, but the places they seek belong to those for whom His Father has prepared them. Following Jesus is not a way to secure a title. Their future rests in the Father's wise care, not in their ability to ask for a better position.
Greatness Bends Down (Matthew 20:24-28)
24 Now when the other 10 heard this, they were angry with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions use their authority over them. 26 It must not be this way among you! Instead whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”Matthew 20:24-28 · NET Bible
The other ten disciples become angry with the two brothers. Jesus gathers them all and explains how leadership must work among His people. Rulers often use their power to control others. His followers must take a different path. The one who wants to be great must serve, and the one who wants to be first must take the lowest place.
Jesus makes Himself the clearest example. He came not to have others serve Him, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. A ransom is a price paid to set someone free. Jesus will give His life to free people from sin. His death is more than a moving example of kindness; it is the saving gift we need. I don't want us to miss this: in His kingdom, greatness is measured by love that serves, not power that demands.
The King Who Stops (Matthew 20:29-34)
29 As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed them. 30 Two blind men were sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!” 31 The crowd scolded them to get them to be quiet. But they shouted even more loudly, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 Jesus stopped, called them, and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.Matthew 20:29-34 · NET Bible
As Jesus and His followers leave Jericho, two blind men call out for mercy. They address Him as the Son of David, a title connected with God's promised King. The crowd tells them to be quiet, but they call out even more. Jesus stops, calls them, and asks what they want Him to do. They ask to receive their sight.
Moved with compassion, Jesus touches their eyes. They can see at once, and they follow Him. These men have no position or power to offer Jesus. Yet their need matters to Him. After teaching His disciples about serving, Jesus shows them what that looks like. On His way to face the cross, He is not too important or too busy to stop. His kingly power is joined with tender care for people the crowd would rather silence.
- Grace — God's freely given kindness, not a reward we can demand.
- Ransom — A price paid to set someone free; Jesus gave His life to rescue us from sin.
Where is Jesus changing your view of what it means to be great?
Father, thank You for giving us kindness we could never earn. Free us from envy and the need to be important. Make us more like Jesus, ready to serve and quick to show mercy. Amen.