Matthew 20:1–16

The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard

people working in a vineyard picking grapes

Peter asked, “We have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” (Matthew 19:27). The Savior replied by giving the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. This parable teaches that all who choose to dedicate their lives to Him will receive the promised reward, regardless of when they may have begun to walk the covenant path. This lesson can help you feel hope that you will receive the blessings that Jesus Christ offers through His Atonement.

Visualizing difficult passages. Students may be able to understand some difficult scripture passages better if they can act them out or visualize them in some other way. Doing so can help students more fully process events, people, and details in the scriptures.

Student preparation: Invite students to create a list of blessings they have received from the Lord because they have been taught the gospel while still young. Alternatively, they could create a list of opportunities people might miss if they are not taught the gospel until later in life. Ask students to think about what they can learn from the list they made.

Possible Learning Activities

Rather than using the scenario below, consider using this activity, adapting it for each class’s needs and size:

Invite a few willing students to stand and hold their scriptures or another book with both hands and to stretch their arms straight in front of them for 2 minutes. Promise them a reward (like small candies) if they can hold that pose for the whole time. Every 30 seconds, invite other students to hold the pose, but do not promise them any specific reward. With only 30 seconds of the original 2 minutes left, invite all remaining students to stand in the pose. When the 2 minutes end, tell all students to put their arms down. Give any who participated, starting with the last to join, the full reward promised to the first volunteers.

Ask students how they felt about the activity. If the first students complain about not being treated fairly, ask them why they feel that way.

Imagine the following scenario:

Marisol recently joined the Church, along with her mother and grandparents. Not long after, her grandfather passed away. Marisol wonders if her grandfather will receive the same blessings that she will, even though he accepted the gospel so much later in life.

What would you say to Marisol?

The Savior taught His Apostles a parable that demonstrates His concern for all who choose to follow Him. Throughout this lesson, seek the inspiration of the Holy Ghost as you look for truths that will help you better understand the Savior’s desires for us.

The laborers in the vineyard

Consider creating a chart on the board with blank spaces for the following information about each group of laborers: start time, promised salary, hours worked, and amount paid. Invite students to complete the chart.

As you study this parable, it is helpful to know that a normal workday in New Testament times was likely about 12 hours, starting early in the morning and finishing in the evening. The word penny in these verses refers to a denarius, the Roman coin typically used to pay a laborer for a full day of work.

Read Matthew 20:1–7, looking for how the lord of the vineyard hired laborers. You may want to watch the video “Laborers in the Vineyard” from time code 0:00 to 1:33, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

In the time of the Savior, an average man and his family could not do much more than live on what they made that day. If you didn’t work or farm or fish or sell, you likely didn’t eat.

(Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Laborers in the Vineyard,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 31)

Help students analyze the parable from the different points of view of each group of laborers.

Whom do you think the lord of the vineyard and the laborers represent?
What do you think it would have felt like to be one of the first laborers hired for the day?
What thoughts and feelings do you think the laborers waiting to be hired had as the day went on?

Read Matthew 20:8–16, looking for how the day ended for all the laborers. You may want to watch the video “Laborers in the Vineyard” from time code 1:34 to 3:00, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

It may be helpful to know that being hired by the lord of the vineyard in this parable can symbolize entering into a covenant with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The pay can symbolize the blessings of eternal life.

Ask some or all of the following questions (or other questions) to help students recognize the divine attributes demonstrated by the lord of the vineyard.

How would you feel toward the lord of the vineyard if you were one of the first hired? one of the last?
In what ways did the lord of the vineyard demonstrate love and concern for all of the laborers?
When you understand that the lord of the vineyard could represent Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ, what divine attributes do you see in him?
What lessons can you learn from this parable?

The Lord’s mercy

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland shared important truths we can learn about the Lord from this parable. You may want to watch the video “The Laborers in the Vineyard,” available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 10:02 to 11:42 or read the following text.

This parable—like all parables—is not really about laborers or wages any more than the others are about sheep and goats. This is a story about God’s goodness, His patience and forgiveness, and the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a story about generosity and compassion. It is a story about grace. It underscores the thought I heard many years ago that surely the thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially to those who don’t expect it and often feel they don’t deserve it.

I do not know who in this vast audience today may need to hear the message of forgiveness inherent in this parable, but however late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.

(Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Laborers in the Vineyard,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 32–33)

Think about what Elder Holland taught that you already know is true about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. How did you come to know it is true?
What additional thoughts or feelings do you have about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ because of what you learned today?
How can what you have learned influence your daily life?

Testify of the mercy of Jesus Christ and His desire to bless all who come unto Him. Consider sharing a personal experience or asking students to appropriately share how they have felt His mercy and grace.

Commentary and Background Information

What is the purpose of laboring in the Lord’s vineyard?

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency taught:

The Master’s reward in the Final Judgment will not be based on how long we have labored in the vineyard. We do not obtain our heavenly reward by punching a time clock. What is essential is that our labors in the workplace of the Lord have caused us to become something. For some of us, this requires a longer time than for others. What is important in the end is what we have become by our labors.

(Dallin H. Oaks, “The Challenge to Become,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 34)

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

I testify of the renewing power of God’s love and the miracle of His grace. His concern is for the faith at which you finally arrive, not the hour of the day in which you got there.

So if you have made covenants, keep them. If you haven’t made them, make them. If you have made them and broken them, repent and repair them. It is never too late so long as the Master of the vineyard says there is time. … Don’t delay. It’s getting late.

(Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Laborers in the Vineyard,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 33)