Matthew 20

Lord of the Vineyard

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. Matthew 20:1–16

The generous householder who pays the eleventh-hour workers a full day's wage pictures the Lord, who gives His grace to all who come, whether early or late. Whether the lord is read as the Father or as Christ, his goodness is the gospel's goodness.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by D&C 33:3 — "It is the eleventh hour, and the last time that I shall call laborers into my vineyard."

Crucifixion

And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Matthew 20:17–19

On the road to Jerusalem Jesus tells the Twelve exactly what will happen to Him: betrayal, mocking, scourging, crucifixion, and resurrection on the third day. He walks toward His sacrifice knowingly and willingly.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 10:33-34 — Mark's account of the same prophecy.
• a parallel account in Luke 18:31-33 — Luke's account of the same prophecy.
• fulfilled by Matthew 27:26 — Pilate scourges Jesus and delivers Him to be crucified.
• fulfilled by Matthew 28:6 — "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said."
• the same event in Mosiah 3:9-10 — King Benjamin's prophecy that they will crucify Him and He will rise the third day.

Atonement

Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. Matthew 20:20–23

"The cup" is the suffering Jesus is about to drink in Gethsemane and on the cross. He also shows humble submission to His Father, who decides who sits on His right and left.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 10:35-40 — James and John ask for the seats themselves in Mark.
• fulfilled by Matthew 26:39 — In Gethsemane: "let this cup pass from me."
• alluded to by 3 Nephi 11:11 — The risen Lord: "I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me."
• fulfilled by D&C 19:18 — The Savior describes the Atonement: "would that I might not drink the bitter cup."

Atonement

Ransom — the price paid to set captives free

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. Matthew 20:25–28

Jesus defines true greatness as serving, and He points to Himself as the pattern: He came to serve and to pay the price that frees us from sin and death.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 10:45 — The same ransom saying.
• alluded to by 1 Timothy 2:5-6 — The one mediator "gave himself a ransom for all."

Son of David

Son of David — the promised Messiah-King from David's line

And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. Matthew 20:30–31

Two blind men cannot see Jesus but recognize who He is, calling Him Lord and Son of David, the royal Messiah promised to David. They cry louder when the crowd tries to silence them.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 10:46-48 — Blind Bartimaeus: "Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me."
• fulfils Jeremiah 23:5 — The LORD will raise unto David a righteous Branch, a King.
• the same title in Matthew 1:1 — "Jesus Christ, the son of David."

Jesus

And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? Matthew 20:32–34

On His way to die, Jesus stops for two blind beggars, touches them with compassion, and heals them. Once they can see, they follow Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 10:49-52 — Bartimaeus receives his sight and follows Jesus in the way.