Mateus 20

Mateus 20

Charts from Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission Another Chart from Swindoll THE LIFE OF JESUS AS COVERED BY MATTHEW (shaded area) Source: Borrow Ryrie Study Bible Matthew 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. the kingdom: This parable was intended to illustrate the equity of God's dealings, even when "the first are placed last, and the last first." Mt 3:2 13:24,31,33,44,45,47 22:2 25:1,14 a landowner: Mt 9:37,38 21:33-43 Song 8:11,12 Isa 5:1,2 Jn 15:1 early: Mt 23:37 Song 8:11,12 Jer 25:3,4 laborers: Mk 13:34 1Co 15:58 Heb 13:21 2Pe 1:5-10 WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN LIKE? For (gar) - Because of the chapter break, this strategic term of explanation would be easy to overlook or discount, but remember when you spot it, it usually indicates an explanation of something that has just been stated in the previous text. And what had just been stated? "many who are first will be last; and the last, first." (Mt 19:30+). So now Jesus proceeds to explain and elaborate on that somewhat paradoxical statement and notice how He "bookends" or encloses the explanation with the same phrase in Mt 20:16. David Turner points out that "The unfortunate chapter division at Mt 20:1 obscures the fact that the parable of the landowner in Mt 20:1–16 continues the answer to Peter’s question, as did the parable of the unforgiving servant in Mt 18:21–35. (See Matthew - Page 476) In addition this parable is in a sense an answer to Peter's question "Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” (Mt 19:27+)