The truth of God's free grace had been almost lost sight of by the Jews. The rabbis taught that God's favor must be earned. The reward of the righteous they hoped to gain by their own works. Thus their worship was prompted by a grasping, mercenary spirit. From this spirit even the disciples of Christ were not wholly free, and the Saviour sought every opportunity of showing them their error. Just before He gave the parable of the laborers, an event occurred that opened the way for Him to present the right principles.

Jøderne havde næsten helt glemt sandheden om Guds frie nåde. Rabbinerne lærte, at man måtte fortjene sig Guds gunst. De håbede at modtage de retfærdiges løn som følge af deres egne gode gerninger Derfor udviste de en begærlig, egennyttig ånd i deres gudsdyrkelse. Selv Jesu disciple var ikke helt frigjort fra denne indstilling, og Frelseren benyttede enhver lejlighed til at vise dem deres fejltagelse. Lige før han fortalte lignelsen om arbejderne i vingården, hændte der noget, som gav ham anledning til at fremholde de rette principper