Thematic Bible
Matthew 20:1 (show verse)
For the Kingdom of Heaven is like an employer who went out in the early morning to hire laborers for his vineyards.
Matthew 20:2 (show verse)
He agreed with the laborers to pay them two shillings a day, and sent them into his vineyard.
Matthew 20:3 (show verse)
On going out again, about nine o'clock, he saw some others standing in the market-place, doing nothing.
Matthew 20:4 (show verse)
'You also may go into my vineyard,' he said, 'and I will pay you what is fair.'
Matthew 20:5 (show verse)
So the men went. Going out again about mid-day and about three o'clock, he did as before.
Matthew 20:6 (show verse)
When he went out about five, he found some other men standing there, and said to them 'Why have you been standing here all day long, doing nothing?'
Matthew 20:7 (show verse)
'Because no one has hired us,' they answered. 'You also may go into my vineyard,' he said.
Matthew 20:8 (show verse)
In the evening the owner of the vineyard said to his steward 'Call the laborers, and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, and ending with the first.
Matthew 20:9 (show verse)
Now when those who had been hired about five o'clock went up, they received two shillings each.
Matthew 20:10 (show verse)
So, when the first went up, they thought that they would receive more, but they also received two shillings each;
Matthew 20:11 (show verse)
On which they began to grumble at their employer.
Matthew 20:12 (show verse)
'These last,' they said, 'have done only one hour's work, and yet you have put them on the same footing with us, who have borne the brunt of the day's work, and the heat.'
Matthew 20:13 (show verse)
'My friend,' was his reply to one of them, 'I am not treating you unfairly. Did not you agree with me for two shillings?
Matthew 20:14 (show verse)
Take what belongs to you, and go. I choose to give to this last man the same as to you.
Matthew 20:15 (show verse)
Have not I the right to do as I choose with what is mine? Are you envious because I am liberal?'
Matthew 20:16 (show verse)
So those who are last will be first, and the first last."
Matthew 20:17 (show verse)
When Jesus was on the point of going up to Jerusalem, he gathered the twelve disciples round him by themselves, and said to them as they were on their way:
Matthew 20:18 (show verse)
"Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem; and there the Son of Man will be betrayed to the Chief Priests and Teachers of the Law, and they will condemn him to death,
Matthew 20:19 (show verse)
And give him up to the Gentiles for them to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify; and on the third day he will rise."
Matthew 20:20 (show verse)
Then the mother of Zebediah's sons came to him with her sons, bowing to the ground, and begging a favor.
Matthew 20:21 (show verse)
"What is it that you want?" he asked. "I want you to say," she replied, "that in your Kingdom these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right, and the other on your left."
Matthew 20:22 (show verse)
"You do not know what you are asking," was Jesus' answer. "Can you drink the cup that I am to drink?" "Yes," they exclaimed, "we can."
Matthew 20:23 (show verse)
"You shall indeed drink my cup," he said, "but as to a seat at my right and at my left--that is not mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."
Matthew 20:24 (show verse)
On hearing of this, the ten others were very indignant about the two brothers.
Matthew 20:25 (show verse)
Jesus, however, called the ten to him, and said: "The rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them as you know, and their great men oppress them.
Matthew 20:26 (show verse)
Among you it is not so.
Matthew 20:27 (show verse)
No, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to take the first place among you, must be your slave;
Matthew 20:28 (show verse)
Just as the Son of Man came, not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Matthew 20:29 (show verse)
As they were going out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him.
Matthew 20:30 (show verse)
Two blind men who were sitting by the road-side, hearing that Jesus was passing, called out: "Take pity on us, Master, Son of David!"
Matthew 20:31 (show verse)
The crowd told them to be quiet; but the men only called out the louder: "Take pity on us, Master, Son of David!"
Matthew 20:32 (show verse)
Then Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he said.
Matthew 20:33 (show verse)
"Master," they replied, "we want our eyes to be opened."
Matthew 20:34 (show verse)
So Jesus, moved with compassion, touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight, and followed him.