Matthew 20:9

Modern

The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius.

Traditional

And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

Literal

And having come, the ones of about the eleventh hour each received a denarius.

Latin

Cum venissent ergo qui circa undecimam horam venerant, acceperunt singulos denarios.

Greek

English

The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius.

This parable is like the parable of the lost son (Luke 15:11–32). In both, God shows grace to two groups, but one complains about unfair treatment.

Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem (Matthew 19:1; 20:29; 21:1). This was another chance to teach the disciples what it means to be his disciples.

Theme notes and profiles

Ephesians 2:8–10
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,
Romans 4:3–6
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Luke 23:40–43
But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment?
Matthew 20:2
He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
Matthew 20:6–7
About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ he asked.
Ephesians 1:6–8
…to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One.
Romans 5:20–21
The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
1 Timothy 1:14–16
And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.