On receiving it they began to murmur against the householder

Their murmuring and objections took the form of persecuting Christ’s disciples, “the last” workers in the vineyard.

the clergy of Christendom in this 20th century have, by reason of their positions and responsibilities, been “first” to be hired for work in God’s symbolic vineyard. They considered dedicated preachers associated with the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society to be “the last” ones to have any valid assignment in God’s service.