Thematic Bible

Matthew 20:1

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out at dawn to hire workmen for his vineyard.

Matthew 20:2

"And when he had agreed with the workmen for two shillings a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

Matthew 20:3

"About nine o'clock he went out and noticed some other workmen standing idle in the market-place;

Matthew 20:4

"and he said to them, "'Do you also go into the vineyard, and whatever is just I will pay you.'

Matthew 20:5

"So they went. Again at noon, and about three o'clock, he went out and did the same thing.

Matthew 20:6

"When he went out about five o'clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, "'Why have you been standing here idle, all the day long?'

Matthew 20:7

"'Because no one has hired us,' they replied. "He said to them, 'Do you also go into the vineyard.'

Matthew 20:8

"And when evening came, the Lord of the vineyard said to his steward, "'Call the workmen and pay them their wages, beginning with the last hired and ending with the first.'

Matthew 20:9

"When those came who had begun at five o'clock, they received two shillings apiece;

Matthew 20:10

"and when the first came they supposed that they would get more, but they also received each two shillings.

Matthew 20:11

"And as they took it they began to grumble against the master of the house.

Matthew 20:12

"'Those last men,' they said, 'have toiled only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the burning heat of the day.'

Matthew 20:13

"In reply he said to one of them. 'My friend, I am doing no wrong. Did you not agree with me for two shillings?

Matthew 20:14

"Take your wage and begone! I chose to give to this last man the same as to you.

Matthew 20:15

"Have I not the right to do what I choose with my own property? Or is your eye evil because I am generous?'

Matthew 20:16

"So the last shall be first, and the first, last."

Matthew 20:17

When Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve aside by themselves, and as they went he said to them.

Matthew 20:18

"Look! We are on the way up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death,

Matthew 20:19

"and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified; and on the third day he will rise from the grave."

Matthew 20:20

Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee, with her sons, kneeling down and begging a favor of him.

Matthew 20:21

"What is it you wish?" he said. She answered, "Command that these my two sons may sit upon your right hand and your left in your kingdom."

Matthew 20:22

"None of you know what you are asking," said Jesus. "Can you drink the cup which I am about to drink?" "We can," they replied.

Matthew 20:23

My cup you indeed shall drink," he answered, "but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."

Matthew 20:24

When the ten heard of this, they were indignant at the two brothers;

Matthew 20:25

but Jesus called them to him and said: "You know how the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.

Matthew 20:26

"Not so shall it be among you. But whoever among you wishes to become great, shall be your minister,

Matthew 20:27

"and whoever wishes to be first among you, shall be your slave;

Matthew 20:28

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

Matthew 20:29

Now as they were leaving Jericho a great crowd followed him.

Matthew 20:30

And two blind men, sitting by the side of the road, heard that it was Jesus who was passing by, and cried out, "Have pity on us, Master, Son of David!"

Matthew 20:31

But the crowd checked them, to make them keep still. They cried out all the louder, saying, "Master, have pity on us, Son of David!"

Matthew 20:32

Then Jesus stopped and called to them, "What do you want me to do for you?"

Matthew 20:33

"Master," they answered, "let our eyes be opened."

Matthew 20:34

Then Jesus, moved with compassion, touched their eyes, and they saw at once, and followed him.