Matthew 20:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He also recognized that this day encompasses many moments and that he who inscribed, “This is the day of the creation of the heavens and the earth, when they were created” (Gen. 2:4-5), was portraying that the entirety of creation was brought forth in a single day.

Thus, having first accounted the seven days of creation, he summed together all created beings within one day, illustrating that the duration of this world, as seen by the Lord, is as if it were merely one day; for the splendor of creation emerged from chaos as soon as the brilliance of divine creative energy illuminated the void. Therefore, if all of worldly time is considered one day, it naturally follows that the epochs are its hours; indeed, these epochs are the hours. Given that there are twelve hours in a day (Rom. 13:12; Jn. 11:9), from a sacramental view, the day represents Christ, and He has twelve apostles, who radiate with heavenly brilliance, each graced with diverse gifts.

So the master arrived and employed workers at the very first hour—possibly those who, from the dawn of creation until the flood, were able to remain righteous, about whom God states, “And I spoke to you until the dawn, and sent my servants the prophets to you until dawn” (Jer. 25:3-4).

Thus, the Lord cultivates His vineyard, teaching His people and ensuring the dispatch of workers throughout history—from the patriarchs, to the lawgivers and prophets, and ultimately to the apostles—working diligently to nurture His people’s faith. Throughout this vineyard, every individual engaged in good deeds aligned with right belief is recognized as a laborer. The laborers from the morning symbolize the ancient Jewish people, who, through their chosen ones, sought to honor God with their sincere faith, tirelessly working from the dawn of creation.

At the eleventh hour, the Gentiles are beckoned. They respond, lamenting, “Why do you stand here all day?” indicating their reluctance to engage in the labor of spiritual life during a time of peace. They claim, “No one hired us,” revealing their lack of guidance from any patriarch or prophet. This raises questions about the absence of preaching that leads to life. Those who have not engaged in good works must confront their own shortcomings, particularly if they have been nurtured in the faith since infancy, schooled in the doctrines of the Church from the cradle.

We can draw parallels to the stages of life: morning represents the innocence of childhood; the third hour aligns with adolescence, the time of growing fervor; the sixth hour symbolizes the vigor of youth; the ninth hour reflects the waning vitality of old age; and the eleventh hour denotes the twilight of life, or extreme old age. The Greeks have a specific term for the very elderly, referring to them as elders to denote wisdom acquired over time.

Whether one embarks on a virtuous path in childhood, youth, adulthood, or old age, all are recognized as laborers in the vineyard, called at different times. Therefore, beloved brethren, examine your conduct and verify if you are indeed laborers for God. Each person should reflect on their actions and assess their contributions to the Lord’s vineyard. Those who pursue only personal gain in this life have yet to enter the divine vineyard. True laborers for the Lord are those who prioritize His interests, who are zealous in love and righteousness, who actively seek to save souls, and who strive to lead others toward life.

Conversely, those who live solely for their own pleasures are rightly considered idle, as they produce no fruit from the workings of God. Moreover, those who neglect to serve God until their final days stand as idle workers until the eleventh hour. Hence, it is rightly asked of those who were passive, “Why do you stand here all day?” This suggests that if one failed to commit to God in youth, they should at least lament their situation in their final days. Even if they may not contribute much to the labor of life at this stage, they are still called to come late. The Master graciously invites them, and they often find reward ahead of those who have labored since their youth. Is it not also at the eleventh hour that the thief, though late in his actions, recognizes God on the cross and, through his confession, surrenders his spirit?

It’s important to note that the initial laborers entered into their work with a specified agreement, unlike those who came later, who placed their trust in the master's word without negotiation. The initial workers’ lack of trust became evident as the master began to settle accounts with them; conversely, the faith and humble expectation of the latter were recognized by the master, and they received far more than they anticipated. Listening to this parable, the Apostle Peter had to examine his own heart for his misguided question, "What will there be for us?" It is not our place to negotiate with the Lord. We should labor, serve, and follow His holy commandments while leaving the rewards to Him. He, being merciful, can grant you more than you might deem worthy for your humble efforts, offering blessings greater than you can imagine. He will not overlook even a cup of cold water given in His name, nor the quiet sigh of a soul burdened by sin, and certainly, He will remember the acts of love performed by His servants.