Bible Commentaries
Matthew 20

Verse 1

Verse 2

Verse 2

A penny a day; the common rate of wages.

Verse 3

Verse 3

Third hour; that is, after three of the hours of labor had expired.

Verse 5

Verse 5

About the sixth and ninth hour, at noon and in the middle of the afternoon.

Verse 15

Verse 15

Is thine eye evil? are you dissatisfied and envious?

Verse 16

Verse 16

Few chosen; that is, for eminent stations of trust and responsibility. This is a repetition of the sentiment with which the parable was introduced, (Matthew 19:30,) and which it was intended to illustrate.

Verse 19

Verse 19

And shall deliver him to the Gentiles; to the Roman government; not having authority themselves to put him to death. For the fulfilment, see Matthew 27:1,Matthew 27:2.

Verse 20

Verse 20

The mother of Zebedee's children; Salome, the mother of James and John.

Verse 22

Verse 22

Drink of the cup, &c.; share the sufferings which I must endure.

Verse 26

Verse 26

Your minister; your servant. The idea is that although, in the estimation of the world, greatness is considered as implying elevation above others, and the exercise of authority and power over them,--yet, in the kingdom of Christ, it consists in unostentatious and humble efforts to promote their happiness and welfare.

Verse 29

Verse 29

Jericho; a large town west of the Jordan, about twenty miles northeast from Jerusalem.

Matthew 20:30-34. Luke, in describing apparently the same case, speaks of only one blind man and represents the occurrence as taking place on their approach to Jericho, instead of when leaving it, (Luke 18:35-43.) Minute diversities in the circumstances of a narrative are not uncommon among the sacred writers, although this is one of the most striking instances. In the case of ordinary witnesses, such discrepancies are considered as proving the honesty and independence of the testimony.