Introduction

In the parable of the vineyard, Mt. 20:1-15, Jesus talks about a man hiring laborers to work on his property. He goes out first thing in the morning and hires a group for a denarius (a day’s wage). He later goes out at various times of the day and hires more laborers; even up to the eleventh hour.

We pick up the story in verse 8, “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ (vs.8-12)

Although this first group agreed to the payment of a denarius (vs. 2), they expected more as they worked the longest compared to those who only worked an hour. The landowner paid what they agreed to, and yet they were still not happy.

Imagine this group holding a grudge against the landowner and even those who only worked one hour. Holding up picket signs, calling the landowner unfair, etc. Although the owner of the vineyard could have left them stand in the marketplace, earning nothing, he did what was right with his money.

Jesus sums this up in vs. 13-15, “But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’”

Definition

GRUDGE, verb intransitive, To murmur; to repine; to complain; as, to grudge or complain of injustice. (1828 Webster’s Dictionary)

MURMUR, verb intransitive, 2. To grumble; to complain; to utter complaints in a low, half articulated voice; to utter sullen discontent; with at, before the thing which is the cause of discontent; as, murmur not at sickness; or with at or against, before the active agent which produces the evil. (1828 Webster’s Dictionary)

In the New Testament “murmur” renders two different words, namely, GOGGUZO, and EMBRIMAOMAI. The latter word suggests indignation and fault-finding (Mk. 14:4 the King James Version). The former word (or a compound of it) is generally used in connection with the complainings of the Pharisees and scribes (Mt. 20:11; Lk. 5:30; 15:2; 19:7). (Int’l. Standard Bible Encycl.)

What does the Old Law say?

Under the Law of Moses, it was written, ‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.’ (Leviticus 19:17-18)

Although “Thou shall not murder” was in the ten commandments (Ex. 20:13), you can see that hate and bearing a grudge were also part of the law. Rebuking your neighbor is one thing, hatred and grudge bearing is another.

This is foretaste to what Jesus during the sermon on the mount, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.” (Matthew 5:21-22)

The Pharisees held a grudge.

If the verses referenced with the word, ‘murmur’ from the ISBE, you’ll notice that they are concerning the pharisees who did a lot of murmuring and complaining in regard to Jesus.

For example, Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. (Luke 15:1-2 KJV) These self-righteous individuals couldn’t fathom eating with the “dregs of society”. Not only that, they didn’t want to touch the people if they could help it.

Here’s another example, For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” (Mark 7:3-5) This complaint was not about hygiene but about touching things that gentiles touched. I mean, if you brush up against one while in the marketplace or touch items they touched. It’s as if they touched a dead body or something. To them, that’s defilement of the most extreme case.

It’s Time to Let Go.

Sometimes we see someone do something that we don’t agree with and, although they have a right to do it (being according to scripture), we want them to do differently as it doesn’t suit OUR needs. Such behavior needs to be relinquished as it may fester within you and distract you from the work of the kingdom. It’s that self-righteous behavior of the pharisees that becomes our mantra instead of God’s word.

James writes, Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. (James 5:9 KJV)

Concerning this verse, Dan King’s commentary states…

The meaning of the introductory command is better put into English as follows: “Do not keep on complaining about each other, brothers…” The Greek verb stēnazete means to “moan,” “mumble,” or better still, to “grumble” or “complain.” Earlier James had condemned this practice using a different word (4:11, katalaleite, “to speak against”). The reference in 4:11 is to a more direct assault on the person of another; this sort of complaining is more subtle and perhaps even more destructive because of its subtlety.

Conclusion

The apostle Paul writes, If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:18) If you bring up situations from years ago, you are holding a grudge and will bring a blemish on the local congregation and the kingdom itself. It’s time to let these things go before they eat at you like a cancer.