Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius.
These Jewish believers murmured when the Gentiles received the same Gospel privileges without the ceremonial law that had burdened them. Their envy was the same spirit that moved the Pharisees to murmur against Christ for receiving sinners, yet in the end such envying shall cease and all the redeemed shall rejoice in one another's happiness.
AI summary
Verse 10. They supposed that they should have received more. They had worked longer; they had been in the heat; they supposed that it was his intention to pay them, not according to contract, but according to the time of the labour.
But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more--This is that calculating, mercenary spirit which had peeped out--though perhaps very slightly--in Peter's question (Mat 19:27), and which this parable was designed once for all to put down among the servants of Christ.