Jesus told the parable of the laborer's in the vineyard where a man hired different people to work in his vineyard at different times of the day and at the end of the day all of the workers received the same pay. Jesus explained the meaning of the parable. "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen". Matt. 20:16 meaning that it does not matter at what point prior to His return that you are called to do His will, but what does matter is that you do it. The same reward awaits for those who have been saved all their lives as those that get saved a minute before He returns. Included are the mother of Zebedee's request for her two sons and two blind men healed by Jesus.Jesus made a comparison of heaven to a man who hired people to work in his vineyard where he grew grapes.

•  For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. Matt. 20:1

The man hired several workers for a penny a day and sent them to work in his vineyard.

• And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. Matt. 20:2

Three hours later the man went out and found more workers to hire standing around doing nothing in the marketplace.

• And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, Matt. 20:3

The man hired the workers and sent them to his vineyards agreed to pay them a fair wage and they went to work for him.

• And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Matt. 20:4

The man went out again in the sixth hour and hired more workers to work for a penny.

• Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. Matt. 20:5

Again in the eleventh hour of the day he found workers and hired them also.

• And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? Matt. 20:6
• They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. Matt. 20:7

That evening when the work day was done the man had his steward call the workers so he could pay them.

• So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. Matt. 20:8

The workers who came in the eleventh hour received a penny each for their work.

• And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. Matt. 20:9

When the workers who arrived first and worked all day received their pay, they received a penny each.

• But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. Matt. 20:10

The workers who arrived first did not think it fair that they received the same pay as those who arrived later in the day and they began to complain.

• And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Matt. 20:11
• Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. Matt. 20:12

The man who hired them explained to the complaining workers that He did not do them wrong because they agreed to work the day for a penny and then he sent them away.

• But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Matt. 20:13
• Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Matt. 20:14
• Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? Matt. 20:15

Jesus then stated that those who are last will be first and those who are first will be last-many are called but few are chosen.

• So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. Matt. 20:16

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More Parables Jesus Told

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