Thursday, 21 May 2026
Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. Matthew 20:2
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“Having also harmonized with the toilers from ‘denarius, the day,’ he sent them into the ‘vineyard, his’.” (CG)
In the previous verse, Jesus began the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. He continues that now, saying, “And having harmonized with the toilers.”
An amount was agreed on (harmonized) between him and those who will be in his employ. This is what will happen with any day laborer, and it is what happens with any hired staff in any job. Even military service sets the terms of payment, regardless of if it is compulsory or voluntary enlistment.
People want to know what to expect for their labor before entering into it. This goes back to the earliest records of the Bible. In Genesis 29, it says –
“And he said, Laban, to Jacob, ‘(Indeed) not my brother, you. And you served me gratuitously? You must (surely) cause to declare to me what your wages!’ 16And to Laban, two daughters. ‘Name, the whopping’ Leah, and ‘name, the diminutive’ Rachel. 17And ‘eyes, Leah’ tender. And Rachel, she was ‘beautiful, form’ and ‘beautiful, appearance.
18And he cherished, Jacob, Rachel. And he said, ‘I will serve you seven years in Rachel, your daughter, the diminutive.’
19And he said, Laban, ‘Good I giving her to you from my giving her to ‘man, another’. You must (surely) sit with me!’ 20And he served, Jacob, in Rachel seven years. And they were, in his eyes, according to ‘days, ones’ in his ‘cherish, her’.” Genesis 29:15-20 v(CG).
Such arrangements are wholly appropriate, and they are considered binding. If either side defaults on the agreement, it is considered theft. If the owner doesn’t pay, he has stolen the time and effort of the laborer. If the laborer refuses to work according to whatever standard was set forth, he is considered to have stolen the property of the owner. Understanding this, Jesus notes that the agreement was “from ‘denarius, the day,’.”
The denarius was introduced in Matthew 18:28. It was a small silver coin used in Roman currency. It was approximately 53 grams of silver. Its value changed according to the strength of the Roman currency system, as any nation’s currency does. But for this parable, it is accepted as a day’s labor by both parties. With that agreed on, “he sent them into the ‘vineyard, his’.”
It is his property. The vineyard was either planted by him or tended to since he acquired the property. His time, money, and resources have been used to keep the vineyard in proper shape. On the other side, the laborer has needs and desires that he anticipates based on what he will earn. His abilities have been evaluated, and he is to perform according to what the owner expects from those abilities.
Life application: In the story of Jacob and Laban, Laban cheated Jacob. Instead of giving him Rachel for seven years of labor, he gave him Leah. Only after the marriage was consummated did Jacob realize what had happened. He had his years of labor essentially stolen from him.
Laban then offered Rachel for another seven years of labor. Jacob agreed to this, but it was not the original agreement. Laban had seven years to marry off Leah, and he didn’t do it, connivingly setting Jacob up to serve him longer so that Laban could unjustly benefit from him.
Understanding this, be sure to count your pay before you take it for a deposit. And for sure, gents, be sure to lift the veil on the woman you are about to marry. Under it, she might not be who you think.
Lord God, what a wonderful story is found in Jacob’s two wives and two concubines. There is law, and there is grace. And there are two exiles during those periods for the nation of Israel. And yet, You have brought them back again to fulfill the final promises in Your word to this unruly people. May that day be soon. Amen.