Parabola of the last-minute helpers

The parabola of the last-minute helpers is an extract of the Évangile according to Matthieu, chapter 20, verses 1 to 16.

Text

(See the passage in Wikisource)

Place in the Gospel

The passage belongs to the lesson of Jesus in Judaea, a little before its triumphal entry with Jerusalem (the Rameaux).

Historical context

At the time of Jesus, the first hour of the day started with the rising of the sun. The sixth hour thus corresponds approximately to midday, and eleventh at five o'clock in the evening for us. Certain French translations indicate the hours besides in a modern way (six hours of the morning, midday, five hours of the evening).

Interpretations

This Parabole could mean that the generosity of God exceeds our human justice. Indeed one associates the owner of the vine to the Lord, i.e. God. The reports/ratios of God with the man are not the reports/ratios which an owner with his workmen has.

Among the first Christians, those of Jewish origin could be shocked to see sinners and the pagan ones called like them in the community of the Christians. This parabola was used to alleviate the resentments which could be born from this situation.

Liturgy

In the catholic Liturgy, this passage is read the 25e Sunday of the ordinary Temps (at the end of September) the years has (during which one reads the Gospel according to Matthieu, to see catholic liturgical Calendrier).

To return to the parabolas of New Testament

Bonds interwikis

the passage in Wikisource

External bonds

a homélie by the brother Jean-Philippe Revel

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