Sunday, 24 May 2026
Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. Matthew 20:5
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“Again, having exited around ‘sixth and ninth hour’, he did likewise.” (CG)
In the previous verse, Jesus continued the parable concerning the workers. The housemaster hired someone in the third hour, telling him that he should go work in the vineyard, and he would pay the person what was right. Jesus continues, saying, “Again, having exited around ‘sixth and ninth hour’, he did likewise.”
A new word is seen, hósautós, as thus. It is derived from hos, in that manner, and autos, the reflexive pronoun use of the third person. Taken together, they signify in a like manner. A single word that conveys the sense is likewise.
The housemaster saw the need for additional laborers to complete his anticipated workload and twice headed out to look for more laborers. The two times he went out would have been about noon and about 3 pm, halfway through the day and three-quarters of the way through it. He would have assured his laborers the appropriate pay in a similar manner to what he said to those he hired at the third hour.
Life application: The housemaster has a set plan for how much will get done. As needed, he went out to obtain more laborers to have the job completed accordingly. This could have been handled in various ways. He could have gone out to the field and promised those who labored already a bonus based on staying late or putting in more effort.
Instead, he went to the market looking for more people who could labor. Those in the market may have come later, or maybe they already turned down various jobs, hoping for that which would match their particular skill set or preferences.
The housemaster did not need to call these men, but he did. And they could have refused the offer. Thus, their employment offer is one based on the housemaster’s graciousness. And more, the acceptance by these men was based on their free will to choose or decline the proposed labors or the amount of pay. There is nothing forced in the process.
Along with these things, there is the obvious thought that would be on the minds of those hired later. They would assume they would be paid less, having worked fewer hours. But there might be a sense of relief that they didn’t have to work in the midday sun. The labors later in the day would be less burdensome unless they were personally energized out of grateful hearts to do even more than was asked of them.
Think about what is going on in the minds of the housemaster as well as those who have been called to serve in the field. Where do you mentally fit into the narrative? Jesus is giving us instructions on what the kingdom of the heavens is like. Therefore, we are reflected somewhere in the parable. How do you want to be remembered when you stand before the Lord to receive your wages? That day is coming, so be wise about how you approach it –
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:9-15
“Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:9, 10
Lord God, we have all been called to accomplish tasks for Your kingdom. What we do with our calling has been left up to us. May we be responsible with our days, striving forward in anticipation of honoring You with our lives each day as we rise and set out upon the path of our lives. Amen.