The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 299

Vers. 1-16.-The astonishment of precedence. The text of this parable ie found in the last verse of the preceding chapter. The words are repeated as the conclusion of its argument (ver. 16). Hence the critics say the last verse of eh'. xix. ought to have been the first of eh. xx. Yet the last verse of eh. xix. is evidently connected with Christ's discourse upon the case of the ruler (cf. Mark x. 31). Note- I. TH.AT PRECEDENCE IS ASTONISHED IN GoD'S GIFTS AND CALLINGS. 1. The Jews were the peopl,e of ancient privue,ge. (1) Theirs was the "adoption," Nationally they were separated from all the peoples of the earth, and adopted by God as his peculiar treasure. (2) Theirs was the "glory.~ In the pillar of cloud. In the cherubim. (3) Theirs were the "covenants." The first from Sinai-the Law. The second from Zion-the gospel (cf. Isa. ii. 3; Luke xxiv. 47). (4) Theirs was the "service of God." For ages "Jerusalem was the place where men ought to worship." Leviticnl rites were instituted and sanctioned against all Gentile abominations. (5) Theirs were the "promises," viz. on which the covenants were established. They were given to the fathers, and renewed and amplified by the ministry of the prophets. . By these God, "rising up early," went into the market-place to hire labourers for his vineyard (cf. Jer. vii 25). .A.s the day of their visitation wore on, the prophets invited the people at the third, sixth, and ninth hours. (6) 'l'heirs were the "fathers." They were sprung from A.bra.ham and Isaac and Jacob. They were" beloved for the fathers' sakes." (7) Theirs was "Christ, as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God blessed ior ever" (Rom. iL 4, 5). 2. Thei,r preswmpti.<m upon their precede-nee was rebuked (1) They believed themselves by it secured against rejection~ They overlooked the conditions of their promises. They missed the lessons of their history. They filled up the measure of their iniquity in rejecting Christ. (a) In his Person. (b) In his gospel offer of salvation. Then Christ rejected them. Their place and nation were ta.ken away by the Romans; and they have ever since suffered in captivity. (2) That the Gentiles should become "fellow-heirs" with them so as to leave no difference (cf. A.et;; xv. 1, 9; Eph. iii 3---6), was a mystery they would not comprehend. ll'heir anger at the mercy of God to the Gentiles is expressed in the murmuring and evil eye (see Deut. xv. 9; Prov. xx:i.ii. 6; Mark vii. 22) of the labourers first called, against the lord of the vineyard, for his goodness to those ea.lied at the eleventh hour. Note: The labourers first ea.lied bargained (ver. 13) for hire in the spirit of the Law; and the murmur was in keeping with the spirit of the bargain. Those afterwards called worked in faith and love, viz. in the spirit of the gospel (cf. Rom. iv. 4, 5). God is now taking out of all nations "a people for hie Name." (8) '!'he Christian Churches were first formed among the believing Jews, bnt since the destruction of Jerusalem, these have become absorbed in the Gentile Churches· afterwards founded. -(4) Amongst the Gentile nations there is one destined iu the order of providence to stand out in contrast to the rejected Jewish nation (see eh. xxi. 43). Can Britain be that dis- tinguished nation? H. TilAT PRECEDENCE 18 .ASTONISHED IN GoD'B BEOKONINGB. 1. Consider the lessons ef tllR- 11W1rlut-place. (1) All sinners are "idle," or do nothing to purpose, before God calls them to work in hie vineyard. (2) Those who desire to labour in hie cause should be found in the market-place where the Master seeks his labourers-in the appointed means of grace. God does not commonly find bis labourers in the slums of the city. Another master finds hie willing slaves in the walks of wickedness (eee Josh. xxiv. 15). (3) Some are called in the morning of their days, as the Baptist and Timothy (see Luke i. 15; 2 Tim. iii. 15). Some in tho meridian of life. Nicodemus may be born again when he is old. (4) Let not the sinner plead to hie destruction the mercy of the "eleventh hour." Can the pleader say, with the men in the parable, "No man hath hired W! "? The thief on the cross was a singular and extraordinary example, and may be in his conversion accounted with the miracle of the rending rocks and opening graves. 2. Consider the lessons of the vineyard. (1) There is work OH, xx. 1-84.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 303