Matthew 20:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The evening represents the conclusion of the age; at its culmination, everyone receives a denarius, a symbol of the grace of the Holy Spirit that renews humanity in the likeness of God, allowing them to partake in the divine nature. Those who lived prior to Christ's arrival experienced greater suffering, for at that time, death had not yet been vanquished, the adversary was still unbroken, and sin reigned. However, through Christ’s grace, we are justified in baptism and equipped with the strength to conquer our foe, who had already been defeated and slain by Christ. In one sense, those who embrace their faith in youth endure greater trials than those who turn to Christ later in life. The young are burdened by the ‘wrath’ and passionate desires, while the elder is more subdued.

Where was the individual instructed to go when he heard the command, "Take your own and go"? The response may lead to the same destination as that of those condemned for failing to do good (Matthew 25:41-45). Moreover, one who harbors envy towards their brother is deemed worse than the slothful, as envy is often equated with murder throughout various passages in Scripture (Romans 1:29, Galatians 5:21).

The Jew who resides under the law is not redeemed through grace but through actions, for one who performs grace will find life in it. Therefore, it is stated to that worker further.

Take what belongs to you and depart; I choose to grant this final individual the same as you. This is my decision and not your concern. To you, I have compensated accordingly; with others, I maintain a separate arrangement. I will distribute as I see fit.

To prevent the apostles and all believers in Christ from perceiving the promised blessings as rewards earned through their own merit, similar to how the Pharisees sought to elevate themselves in the kingdom of the Messiah, Jesus proclaimed: “But many that are first shall be last, and the last first.” Mark captures this statement alone, while Matthew presents the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, illustrating the profound meaning behind Jesus’ words in various contexts (Matt. 20:16, Luke 13:30). Here, the vineyard symbolizes the Church of Christ; the householder represents the Lord; and the laborers, who commenced work at different times, signify believers in Christ who were called to the Church across various eras—whether during Christ’s ministry or throughout subsequent ages.

Upon witnessing that those who arrived at the final hour received a denarius each, those who labored throughout the day expected a larger reward. However, when they too were given a denarius, they began to complain against the master, saying, "We have toiled through the entirety of the day and endured the heat of midday, yet you have treated us the same as those who worked just one hour, and even that in the cool of evening." The master responded gently to one of the murmurers, saying, "Friend, I have not wronged you; did we not agree on a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give this final man the same as I have given you. Do I not have the authority to do as I wish with what is mine?

The complaints expressed by them unveiled a lack of faithfulness to their commitment and an unrealistic desire for more than what they had agreed upon. This dissatisfaction was met with a rightful admonition from the master, who addressed one of the dissatisfied individuals: "Friend, I do not wrong you; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go; but I intend to give this last man the same as you. Do I not have the right to do what I choose with what belongs to me?

What was allotted to the former due to their deception was recompense, while the latter received grace. Thus, the former, who remained guilty of folly, were rightfully denied more. It becomes clear that the division of the recompense was equitable, for obstinacy was weighed equally with labor.