of the Paraclete. The denarius is that one amount of wages in the present and future life, equally offered to all, mentioned in ch. xix. 29, 21 ; the difference of which, though corresponding with the difference of labours, is not only not apparent in this life, but frequently appears inverted : therefore the middle term, equality, is here assumed.1 The evening is that time when each one is, or appears to be, much nearer the close than the commencement of his labours ; and therefore, in the case of the disciples, the time then close at hand, immediately before the departure of our Lord. They cast their own evening and that of others into the same balance, who compare themselves with others. The labourers are all who are called, not only the apostles. The feeling of the discontented labourers concerning the whole day, resembles that of Peter, when he alluded, with out sufficient discretion, to the difference between himself and that rich man. And every one is tempted by such a feeling towards those whom he most knows, and who are his equals. He who has a wider range of thought is liable to the same temptation with regard to those who are more remote. — ptra. ruv epyaruv, with the labourers) The Householder makes an agree ment with the labourers, and they (see ver. 13) with him. The one ensures the payment of the wages ; the other shows what the labourer should be contented with. — ex. drivapiov, for & dena rius) This was a day's wages, as it is commonly at present. The sx (for) is not repeated in ver. 13.
3. "AXAous, others) who had not been there at the first hour.
6. Tr,v svdtxdrqv, the elevent/i) The article is emphatic, as it does not occur in the case of the ninth, sixth, or even third hour. — 8\r,v rriv riptpav, all the day) They could not offer them selves for hire elsewhere.
7. 'H/iSf, us) This suits the Gentiles.
8. 'o-4//a? $t yivofjs'svrit, but ivhen even was come) A prophetic allusion is made to the Last Judgment. The evening of each individual's life resembles the evening of the world. — avb ruv
from the last unto the first) They were all
1 Here again there is some obscurity. " Ideo medium, paritas, sumitur." It seems to me to refer to His fixing on the denarius as a mean, merging the various diversities of reward answering to the diversities of labour, not now apparent, in the one common sum alike and equal to all. — ED.