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Matthew 20

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.

And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,

And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.

And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.

And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?

They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.

So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

What does Matthew 20:26 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 20:26 implicates a stark contrast to the worldly view of greatness and leadership.

In this verse, Jesus is introducing a revolutionary concept of leadership and service that is counterintuitive to the conventional notions of power and authority.

Literally, Jesus is instructing his followers that instead of seeking to be masters and lords over others, they should aim to serve.

The deeper meaning suggests that true greatness is not in the accumulation of power or status, but in the willingness and humility to serve others.

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Historical Context

During the time of Jesus, Roman and Jewish societies had a clear hierarchy and understanding of power. Greatness was often measured by one's social standing, wealth, and the ability to rule over others.

In a world where servants and slaves were at the bottom of the social ladder, Jesus' call for those who aspire to be great to take the role of a servant was counter-cultural and radically transformative.

Therefore, this verse reflects Jesus’ teachings against the backdrop of a society where leadership was synonymous with dominance.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse embodies the essence of Christian leadership as envisioned by Jesus.

It highlights the inversion of societal values, where the last shall be first, and the first last (Matthew 19:30).

Theological interpretations from different denominations may slightly vary but generally affirm the call to servanthood as the Christian model of leadership.

This approach mirrors the life and ministry of Jesus himself, who is considered the ultimate servant leader.

The view can also be extended to touch on the concept of suffering servant as prophesied in Isaiah 53, associating Jesus’ servanthood with sacrificial love.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, Matthew 20:26 encourages individuals to adopt a service-oriented approach in their personal and professional lives.

This could mean prioritizing the needs of others before personal ambition, volunteering for causes that benefit the community, or being an empathetic and supportive friend or family member.

In leadership positions, whether in churches, businesses, or governments, this verse calls for humility and the prioritization of the welfare of those led – embodying servant leadership principles.

Cross-References

Mark 10:43-44: "But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all."
Luke 22:26: "But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve."
John 13:14: "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word translated as "minister" is "διάκονος" (diakonos), which can mean servant, minister, or attendant. This word is where we get the term "deacon", denoting a servant role within the church.

The terminology emphasizes service and care for others rather than authority and control, reinforcing the teachings of Jesus on servant leadership.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient myths and religions, greatness was often associated with divine lineage, heroic feats, or regal authority. Leaders were depicted as strong, sometimes tyrannical figures.

The Hebrew tradition also had its share of royal and warrior figures but included prophets who served and led through moral authority and obedience to God.

Jesus' teachings on servanthood mark a significant departure from these common patterns in other cultural and religious narratives, where power is not to be hoarded but shared and used for the good of others.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern psychology and leadership studies have found that servant leadership, as described in Matthew 20:26, can be highly effective in organizations.

It fosters a more cooperative and supportive work environment that can lead to better teamwork, higher morale, and increased productivity.

The concept of emotional intelligence, which entails empathy and serving the needs of others, parallels the servant leadership that Jesus teaches.

Commentaries

Several biblical scholars and theologians have studied and extrapolated the teachings of Matthew 20:26.

John Calvin highlights the reversal of human expectations in this verse, arguing that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven are those who are least in the world.

Theologian John Wesley notes the intentionality behind the choice to serve, emphasizing that it should be a voluntary and joyous act.

Modern commentaries emphasize the relevance of these teachings in contemporary society, especially for leaders who are called to serve others with humility and love rather than seek power for its own sake.

Matthew 20

Matthew 20

What does Matthew 20:26 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 20:26 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?