Verse (Click for Chapter) 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.' 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.' Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen 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.’ 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 VersionAnd 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 BibleAnd 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 BibleWhen 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 TestamentWhen 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 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 Worsley New Testament 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 WorkmenJump to Next Begin Beginning Evening Finish First Foreman Group Hire Hired Laborers Manager Master Ones Owner Pay Steward Vine-Garden Vineyard Wages Workers WorkmenMatthew 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 In biblical times, the workday typically ended at sunset, marking the transition from labor to rest. Evening signifies the completion of a day's work and often symbolizes the end of an era or the final judgment in biblical literature. This phrase sets the stage for the resolution of the parable, emphasizing the conclusion of the laborers' efforts. 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.’ Persons / Places / Events 1. LandownerRepresents God, who is just and generous, overseeing the vineyard and hiring laborers. 2. Laborers Symbolize believers or followers of Christ, called to work in God's kingdom. 3. Vineyard Represents the kingdom of heaven, where God's work is to be done. 4. Foreman Acts as an intermediary, distributing the wages, symbolizing Christ or God's messengers. 5. Evening The time of reckoning or judgment, when rewards are given. Teaching Points God's Generosity and JusticeGod is both generous and just, rewarding each believer according to His divine wisdom and grace. Equality in the Kingdom of Heaven The parable teaches that in God's kingdom, all are equal recipients of His grace, regardless of when they come to faith. The Call to Serve Believers are called to serve diligently in God's vineyard, trusting in His provision and timing for rewards. Contentment with God's Provision We should cultivate contentment and gratitude for what God provides, rather than comparing our blessings with others. The Importance of Faithfulness Faithfulness in our calling is crucial, as God values our commitment and service over the duration or visibility of our work. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Matthew 20:8?2. How does Matthew 20:8 illustrate God's fairness in rewarding His servants? 3. What does "call the workers and pay them" teach about divine justice? 4. How can we apply the principle of equal reward in our daily lives? 5. What Old Testament principles align with the fairness shown in Matthew 20:8? 6. How should this verse influence our view of God's generosity and grace? 7. Why does Matthew 20:8 emphasize equal pay for unequal work hours? 8. How does Matthew 20:8 challenge traditional views on fairness and justice? 9. What is the historical context of labor practices in Matthew 20:8? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 20? 11. Why should latecomers receive equal pay as early workers? 12. Why do latecomers receive equal pay as early workers? 13. Matthew 20:1-16 - If God is perfectly just, why would He reward latecomers the same as those who worked all day? 14. Luke 13:6-9: How does this fig tree parable align with or contradict similar accounts in other Gospels, and why does it seem incomplete here? What Does Matthew 20:8 Mean When evening came• “When evening came” (Matthew 20:8) signals the close of the workday and the moment of accountability. In Scripture, evening often marks a time of reckoning or reflection (Genesis 24:63; Psalm 141:2). • God’s timing is perfect; He determines when the day ends and when rewards are given (2 Corinthians 5:10). the owner of the vineyard • The vineyard owner represents God, sovereign over His field and all laborers (Isaiah 5:1-7; Matthew 21:33). • His authority is unquestioned; He alone decides how and when to dispense wages, underscoring divine prerogative (Romans 9:15-16). said to his foreman • Delegation reflects order in God’s kingdom (Exodus 18:25-26; 1 Corinthians 14:40). • The foreman functions much like Christ’s appointed servants who carry out His instructions (Acts 6:3; Titus 1:5). Call the workers • All laborers, whether hired early or late, are summoned (Matthew 20:1-7); no one is overlooked. • This echoes the final gathering of believers before Christ’s judgment seat (Matthew 25:31-32; 2 Corinthians 5:10). pay them their wages • Immediate payment fulfills the law’s demand for timely wages (Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:14-15). • Spiritually, God rewards faithful service without delay or negligence (Hebrews 6:10; James 5:4). starting with the last ones hired • Reversing the expected order highlights God’s grace: “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first” (Matthew 19:30). • This pattern appears throughout Scripture—God exalts the humble (Luke 14:11; 1 Peter 5:6). • It teaches that length of service does not earn greater favor; all depends on the Owner’s generosity (Ephesians 2:8-9). moving on to the first • Those who began earliest still receive their promised wage (Matthew 20:2). God keeps covenantal promises (Numbers 23:19). • Yet witnessing the latecomers’ equal reward exposes attitudes of envy and entitlement (Luke 15:25-32; Philippians 2:3). • The sequence warns believers to rejoice in others’ blessings rather than compare (Romans 12:15; 1 Corinthians 13:4-5). summary Matthew 20:8 portrays God’s sovereign, gracious, and orderly reward system. He calls every worker, settles accounts at His appointed time, and dispenses wages by grace rather than human merit. The verse invites us to trust His fairness, celebrate His generosity toward all, and guard our hearts from jealousy as we serve faithfully in His vineyard. (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 Whenδὲ (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 ὁ (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. Links Matthew 20:8 NIVMatthew 20:8 NLT Matthew 20:8 ESV Matthew 20:8 NASB Matthew 20:8 KJV Matthew 20:8 BibleApps.com Matthew 20:8 Biblia Paralela Matthew 20:8 Chinese Bible Matthew 20:8 French Bible Matthew 20:8 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Matthew 20:8 When evening had come the lord (Matt. Mat Mt) |
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