Matthew 20:1 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

For the kingdom of heaven, &c.— The true scope of this parable is, to shew that the Jewish nation, who of all people were first in external privileges, and particularlyin respect of the offer of the Gospel, wouldbe last in accepting it; and that when they did receive it, they should enjoy no higher privileges under that dispensation, than the Gentiles, who were called atthe eleventh hour. The application of the parable suggests this interpretation, Matthew 20:16. So the last shall be first, &c. The vineyard signifies the dispensations of religion in general, which God gave to mankind in the different parts of the world. The hiring of labourers early in the morning represents that interposition of Providence by which the Jews were born members of God's visible church, and laid under obligations to obey the law of Moses; "for the kingdom of heaven (the Master of the kingdom of heaven) is like unto a man, or may be fitly represented by the similitude of a man, who is an house holder, οικοδεσποτης, the master of a family." God's bestowing the Gospel dispensation upon mankind, and the preparations previous thereto, may be illustrated by a master of a family's sending labourers at different hours of the day to work in his vineyard. See Macknight, and Petavius, Dogmat. Theolog. vol. 1: p. 305.