Matthew 20:15

Is it not lawful? The owner does not refer to any legal statute, but simply inquires, “Is it not permissible for me to do what I desire with mine own?”

What I will. Or, “what I desire” (see on v. 14). Evidently the owner had greatly appreciated being able to secure more help in order to gather in the harvest. The willingness of the last group of workmen to help when help was so much needed, seems to have struck a responsive chord in his heart. He considered their willingness to work a favor, and now he was expressing his appreciation for it.

Is thine eye evil? These men had done no more than they agreed to do, and were therefore not entitled to expect any special compensation (see on Luke 17:10). Instead of the literal KJV rendering, the RSV gives the meaning of the final clause of the verse in idiomatic English: “Do you begrudge my generosity?” For the idiom “evil eye” see on Matt. 6:22-24.

Because I am good. They had charged him with partiality and, by implication, with personal injury. The owner explains that it is not a matter of justice or injustice at all, but of generosity. He had treated all his hired help justly, and could he not do more if he so chose? Jesus here makes plain that divine favor is not earned, as the rabbis taught. Christian laborers do not strike a bargain with God. If God were to deal with men merely on the basis of strict justice, none could ever qualify for the incomparably generous rewards of heaven and eternity. It is not learning, position, talent, length of time, amount of labor, or visible results that count in the sight of Heaven, but the spirit of willingness in which we take up our appointed tasks (see COL 397), and the faithfulness with which we pursue them (see COL 402).