34 



CHAPTER IV. 



TWO OF CHRIST'S PARABLES. 



[This chapter is a reproduction of "The Elder Brother of 

 the Prodigal," in the Monthly Interpreter, 1885; and "Two 

 Parables," in the Expositor of April 1889 ; both by the present 

 writer. ] 



THERE is but little resemblance between the 

 external form and imagery of the parable of the 

 Prodigal Son 1 and that of the Labourers in the 

 Vineyard, 2 except that both are taken from the rela- 

 tions of men in common life ; and they were spoken 

 on very different occasions. The parable of the 

 Prodigal, which was the earlier of the two, was mainly 

 addressed to the Pharisees, in reply to their complaint 

 against Jesus that "this man receiveth sinners and 

 eateth with them." The parable of the Labourers in 

 the Vineyard was spoken to the disciples alone, in 

 reply to Peter's question, when, after the young ruler 

 had shown himself unable to give up all for Christ, 

 he said on behalf of the twelve, " Lo, we have forsaken 

 all and followed Thee ; what shall we have therefore 1 " 



1 Luke xv. 11, 32. 2 Matt. xix. 27 ; xx. 16. 



