Parable of the Laborers - Read Matthew 20:1-16

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1 Matthew 20 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. - Matthew 20:26 (NKJV) PREVIEW: In Matthew 20, Jesus answers Peter's inquiry about rewards in the kingdom by giving a parable and a direct answer, and demonstrates what it takes to be great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 20 Outline: Parable of the Laborers - Read Matthew 20:1-16 Instruction About Jesus Death - Read Matthew 20:17-19 Instruction About Ambition - Read Matthew 20:20-28 The Blind Men Recognize the King - Read Matthew 20:29-34 Parable of the Laborers - Read Matthew 20: Jesus says in Matthew 19:30, But many who are first will be last, and the last first. He explains that statement with this parable of the landowner and the laborers he hires. Who do you think the landowner in this parable represents? (See also Matthew 21:33-45, John 15:1, Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80:8-9, and Jeremiah 2:21.) 2. How much pay did the landowner offer the laborers he hired early in the morning (v. 2)? How much did he offer the laborers he hired later in the day (vv. 3, 7)? Engage in the discussion: facebook.com/expoundabq Matthew 20 Page 1

2 3. What times of day did the landowner go to the marketplace to hire laborers? 4. What were the laborers doing when the landowner encounters them (vv. 3, 6)? Why were they doing this (v. 7)? 5. When evening came (6 pm), the owner of the vineyard has his steward gather the laborers to give them their wages. What order does the owner want the steward to pay the laborers (v. 8)? 6. How much did those hired in the eleventh hour receive for their hour of work (v.9)? 7. What did those hired first expect after seeing those hired in the eleventh hour receive their wage (v.10)? What did they do after receiving their wages (v )? 8. Although the laborers seem to have a valid argument (v. 12), what does the landowner make clear to them (vv )? Engage in the discussion: facebook.com/expoundabq Matthew 20 Page 2

3 9. This parable is an answer to Peter s question about what rewards he and the other disciples would receive for following Jesus (Matthew 19:27-30). Based upon the wages to work ratio in the parable, what are some insights you derive from the landowner s goodness? 10. When you and I stand before Jesus Christ at the Bema Seat to be rewarded, what will we be judged for? (See 1 Corinthians 3:9-15, 2 Corinthian 5:9-11) 11. What should our goal be as laborers of Jesus Christ, knowing that we will stand before Him and knowing for what we will be judged? (See 1 Corinthians 4:2, 1 Corinthians 5:9, 1 Corinthians 15:58, 1 Thessalonians 4:11, 2 Peter 1:10-11, Hebrews 12:28, and James 2:14-26.) 12. What works has Jesus Christ given you to do? Are you faithfully doing them? Engage in the discussion: facebook.com/expoundabq Matthew 20 Page 3

4 Instruction About Jesus Death - Read Matthew 20: As Jesus and His disciples were going up to Jerusalem, He takes them onto the roadside to explain what is about to happen. What four points does He make clear to His disciples (vv )? Instruction About Ambition - Read Matthew 20: What does the mother of Zebedee s sons request of Jesus (v )? 15. What is Jesus response to her (v. 22)? What do you think Jesus means by the question He asks James and John (v. 22)? 16. Jesus foretells James' and John s deaths. What does He explain to them about the seating arrangements in the Kingdom (v. 23)? 17. Jesus illustrates the answer to Peter s inquiry about the apostles reward (Matthew 19:27-30) with the Parable of the Laborers (Matthew 20:1-16), and now answers directly with what it takes to be great in the kingdom of heaven. What does He say it takes(vv )? Engage in the discussion: facebook.com/expoundabq Matthew 20 Page 4

5 18. How does Jesus' life demonstrate what it takes to be great in the kingdom of heaven (v. 28)? 19. How can we follow Jesus example given in Matthew 20:28? (See also Matthew 16:24 27, John 13:15, Ephesians 5:1-2, Philippians 2:5, 1 Peter 2:21, and 1 Peter 4:1.) The Blind Men Recognize the King - Read Matthew 20: By what title do the two blind men cry out to Jesus (v. 30)? What does this title refer to? 21. In those days, blindness often happened as a result of eye infections at birth, and was impossible to cure once complete blindness set in. These two blind men find themselves in an impossible situation. What do they do when they hear that Jesus is passing by (vv )? How is this something we too ought to do in our difficult situations? (See Psalm 18:6, 34:17, and 57:2.) Engage in the discussion: facebook.com/expoundabq Matthew 20 Page 5

6 22. In Matthew 20:34, Jesus demonstrates one of his character qualities. What is it? What does He do to the blind men? What does He do for the blind men? What do the blind men do to Jesus? 23. When faced with situations in which we're unable to see a solution, we, too, ought to cry out to our compassionate Lord for a touch and for vision. Once He grants us sight by showing us what to do, what should we do? Engage in the discussion: facebook.com/expoundabq Matthew 20 Page 6