Matthew 20

By the similitude of labourers, hired at several hours, and sent into the Vineyard, and at evening receiving a like reward, Christ teachest hhow he shall hereafter reward those that have served,1. Again, foretels his suffering, death, and ressurection,17. Answereth the number of Zebedes children to her request, 20. and admonisheth his Disciples to take hheed of ambition, and worldy domination, 24. About Jericho, restore, restores two bilnde men to their sighht,29.

1. For the Kingdom of the Heavens [Hereby it appears that this similitude is brought by Christ for confirmation of the saying (laid down) in the last verse of of the former Chapter, like as is to be seen also in the sixteenth verse folling] is like unto a Master of a family, [Gr. a man which is Master of a family] who went forth early in the morning, to hire labourers in his Vineyard.

2. And when he hhhad agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, [Gr. denarius. see thereof, Matth 18. v, 28. Rev 6. ver. 6] he sent them away into his Vineyard.

3. And being gone forth about the third hour, [The Jews divided the day into twelve hours, as is to be seen, John 11:9. so that hour from eleven to twelve was the last of the day, and of labour, and the third agreed with our ninth before noon] hhe saw other standing idle on the market – (place).

4. And he said to them, Go ye also (your ways) into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right i will give to you. And they went.

5. Again, being gone forth about thhe sixth and ninth hour, he hhad in like manner:

6. And being gone forth about the eleventh hour, he found others standing, and said until them, Why stand ye here the whole day idle?

7. Thhey said unto him, Because no ma, hath hired us.He said unti them. Go ye also into thhe Vineyard, and that which is right ye shall receive.

8. Now when it was become eveing, the Lord of vineyard said unto his Steward, [Gr. Epitropos, that is, he that had the administration or care of his goods, or he that had the care of the receiving and laying out of his revenues] call the labourers, and give them the reward, beginning from the last to the first.

9. And when they came which (were hired) at the eleventh, they received every one penny. [Hereby appears that reward hereafter shall not be given according to merit: Otherwise these last must hhave received less then the first.]

10. And the first coming, thought thhat they should receive more, and they themselves received also every one a penny.

11. And being having received (it) they murmured agaisnt the Master of the house. [From hence follows not that at the last days, there shall be any murmuring amongst the faithful, seeing all parts of parables may not be applyed: but that is set here to shew, that then there shall be no cause of murmuring, forasmuch as the reward shall be given of Gods goodness, according to grace, as appears out of verse 15.]

12. Saying, these last labour (but) one hour, [or, spent; namely, in labour] and thou hast made them equal to us, that hhave born the hurthen of the day, and the heat.

13. But he answering, said unto one of them, Friend, [Gr. Companion] i do thee no wrong: Didst thou not agree with me for a penny?

14. Take that is thine, and go thy way. I will also give into this last, like as to thee.

15. Or is it not lawful fro me to do with mine (own) what i will? or is the eye eveil, [That is, gradging, envoius] because i am good?

16. Even so shall the last be the first, [That is, as the first] and the last. [that is,as the last. Hereby Christ teacheth, that no man hath cause to murmure, because of the reward which shall be given him hereafter, albeit that any one hath laboured more or served God longer; seeing the same shall be given of grace and according to the eternal election; like as Christ restifieth in th efollowing words, whhen he saith, For many called, but few elected. Other think that by the first, are understood those that would be justified and saved by their own works, such as the young man was, spoken of in the former Chapter; and by the last, those that by the power of Gods gracious election, embrace the calling to the salvation by a true faith] for many are called, but few elected.

17. And Jesus going up to Jerusalem, took to him the twelve Disciples alone [or part] on the way,and said unto them;

18. Behold, we go to Jerusalem and the Son of man shhall be delivered over to the chiefs Priests and Scribes, and they shall condemn him death

19. And they shall deliver him over to the Gentles, for to mock and to scourge, and to crucifie him, nad the third day hhe arise again.

20. Then came the mother of the Sons of Zebeddee unto him, [Namely, Salome, as appears by comparing Matth 27.56. with Mark 15 verse 4o.] with her sons, [namely, John and James, Matth 10.2. and Mark 10:35.] worshipping (him) and desiring somewhat of him.

21. And said unto her, What wilt thou? she said unto him, say that these my two soms may sit the one on thy right, and the other on thy left (hand) in thy Kingdom [That is, that they may be the greatest or cheifest next to thee. A similitude taken from Kinggs which sit upon their thrones, and use to set those that are next to them, on the both sides by them. see 1 Kings 2:19. Psalms 45:10. and 110.1.]

22. But Jesus answered and said, ye know not what ye desire: [For they did not yet understand the condition of Christ Kingdome, and whereunto they were called, not to rule in the world, but to serve and to suffer] Are ye able to drink the cup that i shall drink: and he baptised with the baptism, wherewith i am baptized? [by the Cup, as also by Baptism, Christ undersandeth grievous sufferings; whereby men are as it were drenched with a bitter drink; and as it were overwhelmed with water, Psal. 75.9. Isaiah 51:17. Matth 26.42. Luke 12:50.] they said unto him, We are able.

23. And he said unto them, My cup ye shall indeed drink, and with the baptism wherewith the baptised shall ye be baptized, but the sitting at my right, and at my left (hand) is not in my power to give [Gr. It is not mine; namely, in this low estate, and for such reasons ye imagine: Otherwise Christ shall also hereafter give unto those that overcome to sit upon his throne, Rev.3. verse. 21. Or, to give but ti those for whom it is prepared. see Mark 10:40.] but (it shall be given) (to those) for whom it is prepared of my Father. [That is, ordained from evalasting. See Matth 25. verse 34.

24. And when the (other) ten [Namely, Apostles] heard (that) they tool it very ill of the two brethren.

25. And when Jesus had called them unto him, he said, ye know, that the Ruler of the people [otherwise of the Heathen] hear dominion over them, and thhe great ones exercise aouthority upon them.

26. But so shall it not among you, [Namely mine Apostles, and all other, which shall be called to the Ministry of the Church, to whom such a worldly manner of ruling is here forbidden. For otherwise thhere shall and may also be Kings and Princea among Christians, Psal.2.10. Esa49. verse 23.] but whoso will be great among you, let (him) be your Minister

27. And also will be the first among you, let him be your servant.

28. Like as the Son of man is to come to be Ministred unto, but to Minister, and to give his soul [That is, life. Or himself both body and soul] (for) a ransome [or, release – money, thhat which is given for the release of those that are in captivity] for many [that is, instead of many, namely, the elect children of God, thereby to redeem them from eternal death, John 10:15. and 11.52. and chapter 17. verse 9.]

29. And as they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

30. And behold two blind (men) sitting by the way, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cryed, saying, Lord, thou Son of David, have mercy on us.

31. And the multitude rebuked them, that they should hold their peace, but they cryed the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.

32. And Jesus standing (still), called them, and said What will ye that i do unto you?

33. They said unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.

34. And Jesus being inwardly moved compassion, touched their eyes, and straightway their eyes received the sight, and they followed him.