The Godhood of God

The great theme of the parable of the laborers in the vineyard is the sovereignty of God (the landowner). The key question is that posed by the landowner in v. 15: 'Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things?'

Jesus tells this parable in response to Peter's question in 19:27: 'What then shall we have?'

There are two practical doctrinal applications:

1. God is sovereign in rewarding his servants for their labors.
2. The parable buttresses the tenth commandment's call to avoid covetousness. We are not to envy the blessing God gives to our fellow servants.