Pentecost Season · Proper 20 · Year A
Matthew 20:1-16
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
September 20, 2026
Overview & Insights
“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20:16)
Peter’s initial question in this passage about the rewards that he and the rest of the Twelve will have for leaving everything to follow Jesus (19:27) connects directly with the previous passage, in which a rich man chooses his wealth over the chance to follow Jesus (19:21–22). Although Jesus answers that there will be reward for leaving all to follow him (19:28–29), his words turn to warning at 19:30–20:16. His admonitions against status presumption echo across this section of Matthew (see 18:1–5; 20:20–28). The dual refrain about the inversion of the first and the last frames the parable of the first and last day laborers (19:30; 20:16) and will find an echo in 23:12, where the places of the humble and the exalted are reversed.
From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.
Take it further
Commentary
Working Preacher: Matthew 20:1-16 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary exegesis reframing the parable around the landowner's generosity.
CEP: Matthew 20:1-16 Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary on grace, envy, and the evil eye toward God's goodness.
Enduring Word: Matthew 20 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter.
Precept Austin: Matthew 20 Commentary Precept Austin
Verse-level study helps, Greek word notes, and gathered quotations.
BibleHub: Matthew 20:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregated classic commentaries on the parable of the workers.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: Matthew Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on Matthew's structure and kingdom parables.
BibleProject: Gospel of Matthew Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of Matthew's literary design and themes.
BibleHub Interlinear: Matthew 20:1 BibleHub
Greek text with parsing for the vineyard, denarius, and hiring language.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
September 20, Ordinary 25A (Matthew 20:1-16) Christian Century
Lectionary essay on the vineyard owner who pays the last-hired workers a full day's wage.
Matthew 20:1-16 Sermon Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Uses Barbara Brown Taylor's reading of the parable to ask why hearers assume they're the all-day laborers.
Questions preachers ask
Why does the landowner pay everyone the same wage?
The parable turns on grace, not fairness: the denarius is what a laborer needed to feed a family for a day, and the owner gives it to all. The early workers are not underpaid; the point is that they resent the owner’s generosity to the last-hired (Matthew 20:13–15).
What does “the last will be first” mean here?
The saying frames the parable on both sides (Matthew 19:30; 20:16). In context it warns Jesus’ own disciples against presuming on status or reward for having followed him first, the concern Peter raises in 19:27.
Where does this fall in the lectionary?
Proper 20 (Ordinary 25) in Year A of the Revised Common Lectionary, the Sunday whose date falls between September 18 and 24. The Roman Catholic and LSB three-year lectionaries also appoint Matthew 20:1–16 near this point in the year.
Prep at sermons.com
Ready to write?
- Full sermons on Matthew 20:1-16
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Trusted by pastors since 1995.
Free every Tuesday
Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox
The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.