Verse 1 → “For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the
morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.”
The final verse of chapter 19 is the basis for this parable. “For the kingdom of heaven is like…” this phrase provides the necessary context for properly interpreting the following parable. This passage is to be a representation of the Kingdom Gospel which is a promise to Israel. In this parable, the householder (head or master of the house) represents Christ calling the Jewish people to repent and receive the kingdom.

Verse 2 → “And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.”
The householder will reward his laborers with a penny (denarion) which may have been a common wage for a day’s work. The reward for the labor of the Jews would be entering into the kingdom. This passage is one of the sources for the common phrase “Kingdom work”. You can usually tell if someone doesn’t understand the differences between Kingdom and Mystery by the phrases they use.

Verse 3 → “And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,”
Most scholars agree that the “third hour” is 9:00AM because the day would begin at sunrise (about 6:00AM). The time does not necessarily have an underlying meaning, it is likely just providing a reference for order of events. However, we will speculate in a little bit.

Verse 4 → “And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they
went their way.”
The new laborers are sent out into the vineyard to work. In this case, the vineyard is referring to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel”. Each laborer will be compensated justly.

Verse 5 → “Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.”
Once again, the time scale is referenced. An inquisitive Bible student may want to look into this a little further. The third hour could be a reference to Acts 2:15, in which Peter gave his sermon in Jerusalem. The sixth hour may be a reference to Acts 10:9-15 in which Peter received the vision to accept and share the Kingdom Gospel with non Jews, specifically Cornelius (Acts 10:1-2). The ninth hour could also be a reference to Cornelius in that he received his vision of Peter at the ninth hour (Acts 10:3).

Verse 6 → “And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them,
Why stand ye here all the day idle?”
The eleventh hour would be a reference to the end of the day. Who would these be that are called so late? Unlike previous times which appear later in Scripture, there is not a corresponding time. This may be a reference to Jews who accepted the Kingdom Gospel later in Acts; but more likely, this is a reference to those who will endure in the Great Tribulation.
Those who the housekeeper called were standing idle. They hadn’t made up their mind. They had not worshiped the beast, but neither had they committed themselves to the one true God and acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah. This may be reading too much into the text, but there is some support in the following verse.

Verse 7 → “They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the
vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.”
“Because no man hath hired us…” once again we see that these individuals have not committed themselves to any head of a house. The term housekeeper in Greek is oikodespotēs and appears in Matthew 10:15 in reference to the disciples following after the example of Jesus.
Once again, the laborers will receive just compensation for their work. This further helps to distinguish between the Kingdom and Mystery Gospels. While Paul emphasizes grace, the Kingdom Gospel emphasizes work to receive the reward.

Verse 8 → “So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and
give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.”
In chapter 19 verse 30, Jesus once again stated the phrase “But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” Previously in the series, verse 30 was tied to the account of the Rich Young Ruler. The case was made that those who were greatest on earth would not always be first in receiving the kingdom. However, the complete context of the following chapter would suggest that verse 30 is not really a reference toward the Rich Young Ruler. Let this be a lesson to created you assumptions and then test them out.

Verse 9 → “And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.”
Those who were called to labor last received the payment for a full day’s wages. This was the same payment promised to the first laborers.

Verse 10 → “But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise
received every man a penny.”
To the disappointment of the first laborers, they did not get any extra compensation. They had made an agreement to work for one penny.

Verse 11 → “And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,”
“Goodman” is the same Greek word for housekeeper. The translators use a different English word but it still has the same meaning as the head of a house.

Verse 12 → “Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which
have borne the burden and heat of the day.”
Although they had agreed to the wages, they were understandably displeased with the fact that they received the same compensation.

Verse 13 → “But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me
for a penny?”
However, the housekeeper reminded them of their agreement and that it was satisfactory for them at the beginning of the day. The goodman had kept his word and had not done them an injustistice.

Verse 14 → “Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.”
They still received their penny all the same. Every laborer received the same wage.

Verse 15 → “Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?”
The housekeeper had every right to reward his laborers as he saw fit. The first laborers are unjustified in their indignation due to the bountiful goodness of the housekeeper. The act of allowing the last laborers to enter first is a demonstration of showing forgiveness and unity within the kingdom. Those who were last to repent will not be seen as lesser or unfavored.

Verse 16 → “So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”
This verse hints at the doctrine that those under the Kingdom program are awaiting their resurrection to enter into the kingdom. Those martyred in the Tribulation will be raised first, while the others will be the last to enter. While the call will be to many, few will repent, endure, and be chosen.