Matthew 20:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Evening signifies the conclusion of the age; at this time, everyone is granted a denarius, representing the grace of the Holy Spirit, which transforms humanity into the likeness of God and allows participation in the divine essence. Those who existed prior to Christ's arrival endured greater suffering, as death had not yet been vanquished, the devil was not yet defeated, and sin still held sway. However, through Christ's grace, we are justified in baptism and empowered to triumph over our adversary, who has already been subdued and slain by Christ. From one perspective, those who embrace faith in their youth carry a heavier burden than those who come to Christ later in life.

In the meantime, the earlier workers believe that their efforts surpass those of the later ones, as though they have suffered more from the flames of the evil one, given that sin, corruption, and death had not yet been defeated. However, a fair assessment reveals that the earlier laborers deserve greater recognition, for they existed under the dominion of death and the forces of darkness. This situation reflects the severity of the times and the oppressive conditions (Matthew 20:12), during which even the refreshing influence of the Spirit was absent to assist individuals in pursuing righteousness.

Indeed, all received the same wage, which the master of the house ordered to be distributed to those who toiled in his vineyard, with no distinction made between those who worked longer and those who worked shorter hours (cf. Matt. 20:9). This wage symbolizes eternal life, where no individual enjoys a longer existence than another, for in eternity, the duration of life remains uniform. However, the multitude of dwelling places (Jn.14:2) indicates varying degrees of rewards within the single reality of eternal life. Just as there are different glories among the sun, moon, and stars, with each star differing from one another in brilliance, so shall it be at the resurrection of the dead (1 Cor. 15:41-42).

Just as the Sword severs the veins of the steed and topples the rider, so too do wicked thoughts sap the strength of the spirit and fill the soul with grief, causing turmoil for those who succumb to it. The one who aimed to reach the city, which was thirty stages away, traveled twenty-nine stages yet did not reach the final destination; he exited his home but did not enter the city. Similarly, he who arrived at the singular sixtieth hour received his due reward alongside those who bore the weight of the day. Likewise, one who remained steadfast until that very sixtieth hour, but in the twelfth hour begins to uproot what he has sown, will find no reward, for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ declared: "he who endures to the end, that one will be saved" (Matt. 10:22).

O Lord Jesus, if only You would remove our burdens and share Your provisions with us! As it is written in Luke 22:19. For You are the steward in the Father's house. How we long for You to allow us to serve as Your laborers, even if we arrive at the last hour! You also call those who come at the eleventh hour and reward them with equal wages, eternal life rather than mere accolades. The crown of righteousness is reserved not for all, but for those who can proclaim, "I have fought the good fight" (2 Tim. 4:7).

Those who worked from the eleventh hour are granted the same wage, a denarius, that those who began at the first hour eagerly anticipated. This is because those who were summoned from the foundation of the world share in equal reward of Eternal Life with those who came to the Lord at the end of the age. Consequently, those who toiled longer express their discontent, saying, “These last ones worked for only an hour, and yet You have made them equal to us, who have endured the burden of the day and the heat.” Those who started from the beginning faced the strain of the day and the heat; living in this world for an extended period often meant they had to withstand the longest trials of the flesh.

The initial workers, upon hearing from their fellow laborers about the generous rewards given, assumed they would receive a greater payment for their longer hours. However, their expectations were unfounded: THEY ALSO RECEIVED A DENARIUS EACH. This caused them considerable distress.

To prevent the apostles and all Christ's followers from perceiving the promised blessings as entitlements based on their own merits—similar to the attitudes of the Pharisees aiming for the highest places in the Messiah's kingdom—Jesus proclaims, "But many of the first shall be last, and the last first." In the Gospel of Mark, only this statement is recorded, while the Gospel of Matthew elaborates on it through the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, who were compensated equally for their efforts. This parable elucidates the manner in which Christ employs this teaching, as seen in other instances (Matt. 20:16, Luke 13:30).

The generosity of the master inspired hope among the other laborers that he might reward them at a higher rate due to their longer hours, meaning they would receive more than the agreed-upon denarius. However, when their master decided to pay them all the same amount of a denarius each, they complained and criticized him for equating their efforts with those who had only worked for an hour, while they had endured the heat and hardship of an entire day.

They expected to receive a larger reward due to their longer hours of work. Observing the bountiful wages given to those who came later, they presumed that their compensation would be based not on the agreement made, but rather on how their efforts compared in duration to those of the most recent workers.