What does Matthew 20:5 Mean?

Context Summary

This parable originated in Peter's question. He had seen the rich young man go away sorrowful, because he could not meet the test which had been put to him; and he contrasted with that great refusal the swift willingness with which he and his fellow Apostles had left all to follow the Lord Jesus.

"Take care," said Jesus, "or your bargaining for the rewards of the Kingdom, will put you down among the lowest; while they who don't bargain will come out at the top." The last made no agreement; they came in at the eleventh hour, and were only too glad to take the vineyard path, leaving the vine owner to give what he thought right. The first "agreed," taking care to strike a bargain of so much money for so much work. But they would have done better if they had left the payment to the grace of their employer. "For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace, to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed," Romans 4:16, r.v. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 20

¹  Jesus, by the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, shows that God is debtor unto no man;
¹⁷  foretells his passion;
²⁰  by answering the mother of Zebedee's children, teaches his disciples to be humble;
²⁹  and gives two blind men their sight