Matthew 20 Summary - Quick Bible Study

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MATTHEW 20 SUMMARY IN 5 MINUTES

• WHEN:

  • The birth of Jesus probably occurred around 4 B.C..

  • From Luke 3:23, we know Jesus began His ministry when He was about 30 years old.

  • This would place the events of Jesus’ ministry roughly between 26-31 A.D..

• CHARACTERS:

  • Jesus - The Messiah. The Son of God.

  • Disciples - Jesus’ followers and students.

  • James and John’s Mother - Asked Jesus to honor her two boys in His Kingdom.

  • Two Blind Men - Two men who called out to Jesus for healing.

• WHERE:

  • We are not told where Jesus taught the parable of the vineyard workers (v.1-16).

  • Verses 19-38 occurred as Jesus travelled south on His way to Jerusalem.

  • Jesus healed two blind men (v. 29-34) as He was leaving the city of Jericho.

• OUTLINE:

  • THE PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD WORKERS (20:1-20:16):

    • Early in the morning, a vineyard manager hired workers to work in his field.

    • He agreed with them to pay them a penny for a day’s labor.

    • He hired more men at the third hour of the day.

    • He hired more men at the sixth, ninth, and eleventh hour of the day.

    • At the end of the day, the workers were assembled to collect their pay.

    • The lord of the vineyard payed them all a penny.

    • When those who had worked longest protested, the lord of the vineyard told them they had no complaint because he had paid their agreed salary.

    • Jesus concluded the parable saying, “So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”

  • JESUS FORETELLS HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION (20:17-20:19):

    • On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus told His 12 Apostles He would be betrayed by the Jews and condemned to die.

    • He went on to tell them He would be turned over to the Gentiles, mocked, scourged, and crucified.

    • But He would rise from the dead three days later.

  • JAMES AND JOHN’S MOTHER MAKES A REQUEST (20:20-20:28):

    • The “mother of Zebedee’s children” asked Jesus to honor her sons in His Kingdom, by letting them sit on His right and left hand.

    • Jesus told her those honors were reserved for His Father’s selection.

    • The other Apostles were upset when they heard the request.

    • Jesus taught them, “whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister... whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.”

  • JESUS HEALS TWO BLIND MEN (20:29-20:34):

    • As Jesus left Jericho, two blind men called out for Him to heal them.

    • The surrounding crowd tried to suppress their yelling.

    • But Jesus had compassion on the men and healed their eyes.

• BIG PICTURE:

  • This chapter tells the story of Jesus walking to His death sentence.

  • The time, place, circumstances of Jesus’ death were known to Him with precision.

  • If He had wanted to avoid dying, no one could have killed him.

  • He went to His cross willingly so that we could be forgiven.

  • Speaking of His death, Jesus said, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10:18).

• APPLICATION:

  • Be careful how you evaluate the “greatness” of another person.

  • The world has a standard for “greatness” but Jesus makes it clear God’s standard for “greatness” is very different.

  • James’ and John’s mother came seeking “greatness” in the wrong way.

  • How do you seek greatness? In who’s eyes do you want to be considered “great”?