Matthew 20:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The laborers summoned at the sixth hour depict the righteous during Abraham's time, where the covenant of circumcision was also established, and those called at the eleventh hour represent the righteous at the arrival of Christ. Concerning these, it is queried, “Why do you stand here idle all day?” (Matt. 20:6). This reflects those devoid of hope in the Lord, the ungodly, and those who are inactive in good works, akin to those who linger in the marketplace accomplishing nothing, ultimately wasting their lives. The Lord implores them, asking, "Why do you remain idle?" Yet they respond, “No one has hired us” (Matthew 20:7). Neither Moses nor any of the saints preached to the Gentiles; their message was directed only to Israel. Nevertheless, the Lord also sends these into His vineyard. The Lord indicates that there were five calls, illustrating that throughout the ages, there were both the well-intentioned and the foolish, reminiscent of the five wise and five foolish virgins. Some proved to be virtuous, while others, in their folly, disregarded the eternal life. The conclusion of life is symbolized by evening, as the period from Christ’s coming to the culmination of the ages represents what follows after the eleventh hour. As John notes, it is the final moment when the master of the house instructs the commencement of the toll collection, starting with the last. Here, the master signifies the Father, who regards the Son, the distributor, not as a mere servant, but as a collaborator, for through Him, the Father orchestrates and brings to fruition all His desires.

Through this strategy, the Lord is depicted as laboring to nurture His vineyard, continually sending laborers to teach His people. Initially, He did this through the Patriarchs, followed by the Teachers of the Law and the Prophets, and ultimately through the Apostles, shaping the morality of His people, akin to tending to a vineyard with devoted workers. Each individual who intertwines good deeds with true faith is considered a worker in this vineyard. The laborers from the morning symbolize the ancient Jewish people, who sought to honor God through their chosen ones, actively laboring in the vineyard since creation.

However, at the eleventh hour, the Gentiles are summoned, with the question posed, "Why do you stand here all the day of the feast?" Those who were reluctant to labor during a long period of peace appear to have remained idle throughout the day. It is pertinent to note how these individuals respond, claiming, "No one will hire us," indicating that they had not been approached by any Patriarch or Prophet. This raises the question: What does it imply to say that we were not hired for work if not to point out that we were never taught about the paths of life?

Thus, what excuse can we offer for our lack of good deeds, we who came to faith almost from infancy, having absorbed the words of life from the very beginning and received the teachings of the Holy Church? The concept of hours can also be applied to every person throughout the various seasons of life. The morning symbolizes the youth of our understanding, while the third hour represents adolescence, as the fervor of youth rises higher. The sixth hour embodies young adulthood when strength is at its peak, akin to the sun at its zenith. The ninth hour alludes to old age, where one begins to lose the vitality of youth as the sun descends from its peak. The eleventh hour signifies advanced old age or decrepitude.

The Greeks refer to very old men not merely as old but as elders, suggesting a distinction that those called 'deep elders' are even beyond mere age. As some individuals are called to a virtuous life from childhood, others from youth, adulthood, old age, or even from deep old age, they are all considered laborers in the vineyard, each arriving at different times. Therefore, beloved brethren, be vigilant in your conduct and evaluate whether you are true laborers of God. Each person should reflect on their actions and consider if they are indeed cultivating the Lord's vineyard.

Anyone who seeks solely self-interest has not yet engaged with the Lord's work. True laborers for the Lord are those concerned not with their own gain but with the divine purpose, zealous in love and godliness, actively striving to save souls and actively guiding others toward life. Conversely, one who lives for personal pleasure and indulgence may justly be regarded as idle, failing to yield the fruits of God’s call. Those who neglect to live for God, even until their final days, are akin to those who remained idle until the eleventh hour. Hence, a challenge is laid before those who have lingered in idleness until this late hour: "Why do you stand here all day?"

It is clear that if you did not choose to live for God in youth or vigor, then at least lament your state in old age; although you may now find it difficult to contribute extensively to the way of life, you may still respond to the call to join in. The Master extends His invitation to them as well, and often those who come late find their reward awaits them swiftly, transitioning from this life to the Kingdom before those who have been laboring since their youth. Is it not in the eleventh hour that the thief arrives, who, though late in punishment, acknowledged God on the cross, surrendering his spirit with a voice of confession?

Notably, the first workers negotiated their terms and did not enter the field without a contract, unlike the later arrivals who placed their trust in the master's promise. The mistrust of the first group became evident when the master began to settle accounts, while the faith and humble hope of the second group were rewarded beyond their expectations. The apostle Peter, reflecting on the parable, realized he had erred in asking, "What will we receive?" It is not appropriate to calculate with the Lord; rather, we should labor, serve, and follow His holy commandments while leaving the matter of reward to Him. The One who is merciful can grant you far beyond what you might deem fitting, for He will not overlook even a cup of cold water given in His name, nor will He dismiss the unnoticed sigh of a soul burdened by sin, much less forget the acts of love carried out by His faithful servants.

In this narrative, the vineyard symbolizes the church of Christ, the householder represents the Lord, and the laborers, who joined the vineyard at different times, signify believers in Christ called to His church throughout various eras, whether during His earthly ministry or in later generations. The parable concludes with a variation of the initial phrase, reflecting the narrative’s progression: “So the last shall be first, and the first last; for many are called, but few are chosen.” The overarching message is that the distribution of eternal rewards for believers hinges solely on God's will and grace, rather than human merit judged by earthly standards. Many who engaged minimally in their salvation, who regarded themselves and were seen by others as the least, may be exalted in God’s judgment, while those who perceived themselves as foremost might find themselves last in the final reckoning. This parable encourages all followers of Christ to embody humility, a prerequisite for receiving the promised rewards for those who have given up all for His sake.