The Last Given as the First - Matthew 20:14

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told of a “householder” hiring workers throughout the day to work in his vine field. After they completed the day, “the lord of the vineyard said unto his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and you have made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do you no wrong: did not you agree with me for a penny?”, and in chapter twenty and verse fourteen of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus told how the householder said, “I will give unto this last, even as unto you” where we read:

Take that is yours, and go your way: I will give unto this last, even as unto you.

The verse reads, “Take that is yours, and go your way:”. Matthew began with the words, “take that is yours” or “the murmuring first workers were to carry away their pay”, “and go” which means “and withdraw and depart according to” “your way” or “their own path”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the “householder” told the “first laborers” who were complaining to “take their pay” and “go their way”.

The verse continues, “I will give unto this last, even as unto you.” Matthew added the words, “I will give” or “the householder would grant, bestow, furnish and supply” “unto the last” which means “ the last workers he hired”, “even as unto you” which means “indeed and likewise as he gave to the first workers”. Matthew wrote how the “master of the house” declared he would give to the men who were last hired by him in a similar manner to the first ones hired.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the “householder” treated both the “first and the last” workers equally. This seemed “unfair” to the laborers who worked all day long and received the same wage, but the “master of the house” could be “gracious” with his money to anyone he desired. God desires to extend His “grace” to every person who will turn from their sins and receive His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, and those who are wise shall see this story as an example of the goodness of God and yield their lives to Him today.

Next time Matthew shares what Jesus tells how the householder asks, “is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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