Matthew 20

Workers in the Vineyard

1“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2After agreeing with the workers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3Going out about the third hour, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace 4and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will give you whatever is right.’ So they went. 5He went out again about the sixth and ninth hour and did the same. 6About the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing there. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day idle?’ 7They told him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ 8When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last and going to the first.’ 9Those hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. 10When the first workers came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11After receiving it, they began grumbling against the landowner, 12saying, ‘These last workers worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who carried the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not treating you unjustly. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14Take what is yours and go. I choose to give to this last worker the same as I give to you. 15Am I not allowed to do what I want with what is mine? Or is your eye evil because I am generous?’ 16So the last will be first, and the first last.”

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

17As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately on the way and said to them, 18“Look, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death. 19They will hand him over to the Gentiles to mock, flog, and crucify, and on the third day he will be raised.”

A Mother's Request

20Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing before him and asking something from him. 21He asked her, “What do you want?” She said, “Say that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23He told them, “You will indeed drink my cup. But to sit at my right and left is not mine to give; it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24When the ten heard this, they became indignant with the two brothers.

Greatness Through Service

25Jesus called them to himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26It will not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave, 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Two Blind Men Receive Sight

29As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Jesus. 30And look—two blind men sitting beside the road heard that Jesus was passing by and cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they cried out even louder, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32Jesus stopped, called them, and asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they received sight and followed him.