16. So the last shall be first, and the first last--that is, "Take
heed lest by indulging the spirit of these murmurers at the penny given
to the last hired, ye miss your own penny, though first in the vineyard;
while the consciousness of having come in so late may inspire these last
with such a humble frame, and such admiration of the grace that has
hired and rewarded them at all, as will put them into the foremost place
in the end."
for many be called, but few chosen--This is another of our Lord's terse
and pregnant sayings, more than once uttered in different connections.
(See
Mt 19:30; 22:14).
The "calling" of which the New Testament almost invariably speaks is
what divines call effectual calling, carrying with it a
supernatural operation on the will to secure its consent. But that
cannot be the meaning of it here; the "called" being emphatically
distinguished from the "chosen." It can only mean here the "invited."
And so the sense is, Many receive the invitations of the Gospel whom
God has never "chosen to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit
and belief of the truth"
(2Th 2:13).
But what, it may be asked, has this to do with the subject of our
parable? Probably this--to teach us that men who have wrought in
Christ's service all their days may, by the spirit which they manifest
at the last, make it too evident that, as between God and their own
souls, they never were chosen workmen at all.
JFB.
Outline
The parable of the labourers in the vineyard. (1-16)
Jesus again foretells his sufferings. (17-19)
The ambition of James and John. (20-28)
Jesus gives sight to two blind men near Jericho. (29-34)
Painted sketch of Blind Beggars on the Road
Important Topics for Bible Study
Quick Reference Map
Map of Jesus Journey to Jericho
and Jerusalem
(Click to Enlarge)
Ancient Customs
Ancient People
Geography
Samaria
Judaea
Quick Reference Maps
The New Testament