They answered him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He told them, ‘You go into the vineyard also.’

Those who had been hired at the eleventh hour (5:00 p.m.) came and received a denarius each [a day’s wage].

Take what belongs to you and go, but I choose to give to this last man [hired] the same as I give to you.

Immediately Jesus called to them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workers, and went away to follow Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example].

But when he [finally] came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough food, while I am dying here of hunger!

I am no longer worthy to be called your son; [just] treat me like one of your hired men.”’

But the hired man [who merely serves for wages], who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away; and the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them.