Matthew 20

Notes

Ver. 1-16. The vineyard here is the church, formed by infinite wisdom, power, and grace, from the world that lieth in wickedness, and furnished with divine oracles, ordinances, and officers; hedged about by God's special protection, government, and discipline, and cultivated by his Spirit, ministers, and people. The 3d, 6th, 9th, and 11th hours, may represent the patriarchal, Mosaic, apostolic, and millennial periods of the church; or the periods of human life, childhood, youth, middle, and old age, in which different persons are called and converted to Christ, that they may serve him in his church. But as the kingdom of heaven chiefly denotes the gospel church, the 3d, 6th, and 9th hours chiefly denote those periods in which the Jews were called and converted by the ministry of John and Christ, or of his apostles for some years after his ascension. The 11th hour may denote that period in which the Gentiles have, or shall be, converted to Christ by the apostles and other gospel ministers, after they had been for many ages abandoned to idolatries, and destitute of the ordinances and calls of the gospel. The penny of reward denotes all the privileges of the gospel church, and all the blessings of grace and glory. At God's giving these to the Gentiles equally as to themselves, who had been long the peculiar people of God, and who had long served him in burdensome ceremonies, the Jews, and even the real converts among them, exceedingly murmured—not considering that all the favours of God spring entirely from his own free grace; and that many are outwardly called by the ministry of the gospel, and made members of the visible church, who fall short, through their self-conceit and unbelief, while few are chosen of God to eternal life, because few continue faithful to the end. 21-23. Let my sons, who are now thy constant favourites, be next in honour and authority to thyself in that kingdom which thou art about to erect. Jesus replied that they appeared quite ignorant of the nature and honours of his kingdom, and that they must expect terrible persecutions, reproaches, and distresses, as he himself had or should suffer; but that all the honours of his kingdom would be conferred by him upon those who were faithful in life and work. 24-28. The other ten apostles being filled with envy and resentment against the two brothers for attempting to procure a pre-eminence above themselves, Jesus meekly reproved them altogether, and told them that a carnal and heathenish ambition for lordly dominion over others was very contrary to the nature and design of his spiritual kingdom; and that their only proper way to become truly great and honourable in his church was to be most humble, self-denied, and active in doing even the meanest services for the benefit of others; even as he himself, notwithstanding his infinite glory, had come into this world to submit to the meanest services, and even an ignominious death, for the redemption of the race of poor sinners.

Ver. 20. The mother of Zebedee's children. Her name was Salome, as appears from Mat. 27.56; comp. with Mar. 15.40. She is not called Zebedee's wife; he was therefore most probably dead. Her sons were James and John, Mar. 10.35. She presents the character of an ambitious but affectionate mother, who seems to have trained her sons to her own high aspirings; for they evidently join with her (ver. 22) and assert their ability to fulfil the conditions of their elevation, though as yet totally ignorant of their nature, and, as their own experience demonstrated (Mat. 26.56), sadly unfitted for the task.—Note, Men of ardent and aspiring minds, when subdued by grace, do not altogether lose their original character, but have their desires and energies directed to new and better objects. Hence these ambitious sons of an ambitious mother became faithful apostles and glorious martyrs. C.

**Reflections.—**Free and constant is the redeeming grace of God; the most unlikely are often converted because God in his mercy seeks to save all. And the latest called and converted often attain the highest privileges of grace and glory; while others, who seemed to stand fair for them, fall short. But all have the same opportunity, it is a gift of free grace! Gospel hearers have great need to take heed, and to strive to enter in at the strait gate, when the conditions are such that all must strive who enter in. While I enjoy my life, and have the offers of salvation, let me flee to the once suffering but now exalted Redeemer for relief! In old age I may perhaps be converted; but after death it is impossible—all is then lost for ever! Alas! that the followers of the lowly and suffering Jesus should so indulge themselves in carnal imaginations and worldly ambition; and that clergymen, by their pride, should so plague that church which he hath secured by his blood, and taught humility by his example! Let me vie with others in humility, holiness, and usefulness, and in patient suffering, in hopes of a crown of life. Deeply sensible of my maladies, let me always apply to Jesus Christ for relief. Confident faith, deep humility, and fervent prayer never return from him without a gracious answer. And the more he does for me, let me cleave the closer to his Word, his Spirit, his person, his example, his ordinances, and cause.