Matthew 20:8
New International Version
“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

New Living Translation
“That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first.

English Standard Version
And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’

Berean Standard Bible
When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last ones hired and moving on to the first.’

Berean Literal Bible
And evening having arrived, the master of the vineyard says to his foreman, 'Call the workmen and pay them the wages, having begun from the last, up to the first.'

King James Bible
So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

New King James Version
“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.’

New American Standard Bible
“Now when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, starting with the last group to the first.’

NASB 1995
“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last group to the first.’

NASB 1977
“And when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last group to the first.’

Legacy Standard Bible
“Now when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last group to the first.’

Amplified Bible
“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last [to be hired] and ending with the first [to be hired].’

Christian Standard Bible
When evening came, the owner of the vineyard told his foreman, ‘Call the workers and give them their pay, starting with the last and ending with the first.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When evening came, the owner of the vineyard told his foreman, Call the workers and give them their pay, starting with the last and ending with the first.’

American Standard Version
And when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and pay them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

Contemporary English Version
That evening the owner of the vineyard told the man in charge of the workers to call them in and give them their money. He also told the man to begin with the ones who were hired last.

English Revised Version
And when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and pay them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard told the supervisor, 'Call the workers, and give them their wages. Start with the last, and end with the first.'

Good News Translation
"When evening came, the owner told his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with those who were hired last and ending with those who were hired first.'

International Standard Version
"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard told his manager, 'Call the workers and give them their wages, beginning with the last and ending with the first.'

Majority Standard Bible
When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ?Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last ones hired and moving on to the first.?

NET Bible
When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the workers and give the pay starting with the last hired until the first.'

New Heart English Bible
When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to the first.'

Webster's Bible Translation
So when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last to the first.

Weymouth New Testament
"When evening came, the master said to his steward, "'Call the men and pay them their wages. Begin with the last set and finish with the first.'

World English Bible
“When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to the first.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And evening having come, the lord of the vineyard says to his steward, Call the workmen, and pay them the reward, having begun from the last—to the first.

Berean Literal Bible
And evening having arrived, the master of the vineyard says to his foreman, 'Call the workmen and pay them the wages, having begun from the last, up to the first.'

Young's Literal Translation
'And evening having come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward, Call the workmen, and pay them the reward, having begun from the last -- unto the first.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it being evening, the lord of the vineyard says to his steward, Call the workmen, and give back to them the wages, beginning from the last even to the first.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward: Call the labourers and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the first.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when evening had arrived, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last, even to the first.’

New American Bible
When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’

New Revised Standard Version
When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, Call the laborers and pay them their wages; and begin from the last ones to the first.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But when it was evening, the owner of the vineyard said to his custodian, 'Call the laborers and give them their wages, and start from the last ones up to the first ones.'
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
When the evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward: Call the laborers, and, beginning with the last, pay them their hire even to the first.

Godbey New Testament
And it being evening, the lord of the vineyard says to his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last even unto the first.

Haweis New Testament
Now when the evening came, the master of the vineyard said to his overseer, Call the labourers, and give them their wages, beginning from the last to the first.

Mace New Testament
so when even was come, the master of the vineyard said to his steward, call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last to the first.

Weymouth New Testament
"When evening came, the master said to his steward, "'Call the men and pay them their wages. Begin with the last set and finish with the first.'

Worrell New Testament
"And, evening having come, the lord of the vineyard says to his steward, 'Call the laborers, and pay them the wages, beginning from the last to the first.'

Worsley New Testament
Now when evening was come, the owner of the vineyard saith to his steward, Call the work-men and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the first.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Workers
7‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. So he told them, ‘You also go into my vineyard.’ 8When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last ones hired and moving on to the first.’ 9The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius.…

Cross References
Matthew 19:30
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

Matthew 20:16
So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Luke 17:7-10
Which of you whose servant comes in from plowing or shepherding in the field will say to him, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? / Instead, won’t he tell him, ‘Prepare my meal and dress yourself to serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you may eat and drink’? / Does he thank the servant because he did what he was told? ...

Luke 13:30
And indeed, some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.”

James 5:4
Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.

Romans 2:6
God “will repay each one according to his deeds.”

1 Corinthians 3:8
He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.

2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.

Colossians 3:24-25
because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. / Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.

Revelation 22:12
“Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done.

Leviticus 19:13
You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand.

Deuteronomy 24:14-15
Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. / You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.

Job 7:2
Like a slave he longs for shade; like a hireling he waits for his wages.

Job 31:13-15
If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or maidservant when they made a complaint against me, / what will I do when God rises to judge? How will I answer when called to account? / Did not He who made me in the womb also make them? Did not the same One form us in the womb?


Treasury of Scripture

So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard said to his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last to the first.

when.

Matthew 13:39,40
The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels…

Matthew 25:19,31
After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them…

Romans 2:6-10
Who will render to every man according to his deeds: …

unto.

Genesis 15:2
And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

Genesis 39:4-6
And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand…

Genesis 43:19
And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,

Jump to Previous
Begin Beginning Evening Finish First Foreman Group Hire Hired Laborers Manager Master Ones Owner Pay Steward Vine-Garden Vineyard Wages Workers Workmen
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Begin Beginning Evening Finish First Foreman Group Hire Hired Laborers Manager Master Ones Owner Pay Steward Vine-Garden Vineyard Wages Workers Workmen
Matthew 20
1. Jesus, by the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, shows that God is debtor unto no man;
17. foretells his passion;
20. by answering the mother of Zebedee's children, teaches his disciples to be humble;
29. and gives two blind men their sight.














When evening came
The phrase "when evening came" signifies the conclusion of a day's labor, a common time for settling accounts in ancient agrarian societies. In the Greek, "ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης" (opsias de genomenēs) indicates the transition from day to night, a time often associated with reflection and judgment. Biblically, evening can symbolize the end of an era or the culmination of efforts, reminding us of the eschatological themes where God will settle accounts with humanity.

the owner of the vineyard
The "owner of the vineyard" represents God, the sovereign Lord of creation. The Greek term "κύριος" (kyrios) is used here, denoting authority and ownership. Vineyards were a common symbol in Jewish culture, often representing Israel (Isaiah 5:1-7). This imagery underscores God's rightful authority over His people and His kingdom, emphasizing His role as the just and benevolent ruler.

said to his foreman
The "foreman" or "ἐπίτροπος" (epitropos) in Greek, is the steward or manager, symbolizing those whom God entrusts with responsibilities in His kingdom. This role reflects the biblical principle of stewardship, where individuals are accountable to God for their management of His resources and people. It highlights the importance of faithful service and obedience to divine directives.

‘Call the workers
The directive to "call the workers" signifies the gathering of those who have labored in God's service. The Greek "φώνησον τοὺς ἐργάτας" (phōnēson tous ergatas) implies a summoning for a purpose, in this case, to receive their due reward. This calling reflects the biblical theme of divine invitation and the gathering of believers for judgment and reward.

and pay them their wages
The instruction to "pay them their wages" underscores the principle of divine justice and recompense. The Greek "ἀπόδος αὐτοῖς τὸν μισθόν" (apodos autois ton misthon) conveys the idea of giving what is rightfully earned. Biblically, this reflects God's promise to reward His faithful servants, as seen in passages like Hebrews 11:6, emphasizing that God is just and will honor the labor of His people.

beginning with the last ones hired and moving on to the first
This phrase, "beginning with the last ones hired and moving on to the first," challenges conventional human notions of fairness and merit. The Greek "ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ τῶν ἐσχάτων ἕως τῶν πρώτων" (arxamenos apo tōn eschatōn heōs tōn prōtōn) suggests a reversal of expectations. This reflects the kingdom principle that God's ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), and His grace often defies human logic, emphasizing that His rewards are based on His generosity rather than human merit.

(8) When even was come.--It was one of the humane rules of the Mosaic law that the day-labourer was to be paid by the day, and not made to wait for his wages (Deuteronomy 24:15). This law the householder keeps, and his doing so is a feature in his character.

Beginning from the last unto the first.--The order is not without its significance. It was a practical illustration of the words which had introduced the parable, that the last should be the first.

Verse 8. - When even was come. According to Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 24:15), a hired labourer was to be paid his wages at sunset, i.e. at the twelfth hour. Steward. The lord himself is said to have hired the labourers, but he commits the payment of them to his steward, as his representative, to whom such matters of detail were entrusted. From the last. Those last hired were first to receive their hire (τὸν μισθόν), that which it had been agreed to pay them, in one case "a penny," in the others "that which was just." Why the last are rewarded first is one of the difficulties of the parable. To say that this is done because in their one hour's work they did more than all the rest, is a solution which is supported by nothing in the story itself. It should, in the primary interpretation, rather be conceived as depending on the lord's good pleasure.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
When
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

evening
Ὀψίας (Opsias)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3798: Late, evening. From opse; late; feminine afternoon or nightfall.

came,
γενομένης (genomenēs)
Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

owner
κύριος (kyrios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

vineyard
ἀμπελῶνος (ampelōnos)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 290: A vineyard. From ampelos; a vineyard.

said
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

to
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

foreman,
ἐπιτρόπῳ (epitropō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2012: From epi and tropos; a commissioner, i.e. Domestic manager, guardian.

‘Call
Κάλεσον (Kaleson)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2564: (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

workers
ἐργάτας (ergatas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2040: A field-laborer; then: a laborer, workman in general. From ergon; a toiler; figuratively, a teacher.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

pay
ἀπόδος (apodos)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 591: From apo and didomi; to give away, i.e. Up, over, back, etc.

them
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

[their]
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

wages,
μισθόν (misthon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3408: (a) pay, wages, salary, (b) reward, recompense, punishment. Apparently a primary word; pay for service, good or bad.

starting
ἀρξάμενος (arxamenos)
Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 756: To begin. Middle voice of archo; to commence.

with
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

last [ones hired]
ἐσχάτων (eschatōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 2078: Last, at the last, finally, till the end. A superlative probably from echo; farthest, final.

and moving on
ἕως (heōs)
Preposition
Strong's 2193: A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until.

to the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

first.?
πρώτων (prōtōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 4413: First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 20:8 When evening had come the lord (Matt. Mat Mt)
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