Matthew 20:13
Matthew 20:13 in Multiple Translations
But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Did you not agree with me on one denarius?
But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
But he answered and said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a shilling?
But he in answer said to one of them, Friend, I do you no wrong: did you not make an agreement with me for a penny?
The owner answered one of them, ‘My friend, I haven't treated you unfairly. Didn't you agree with me to work for one denarius?
And hee answered one of them, saying, Friend, I doe thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penie?
'And he answering said to one of them, Comrade, I do no unrighteousness to thee; for a denary didst not thou agree with me?
“But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me for a denarius?
But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny?
But he answering said to one of them: Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny?
The owner of the vineyard said to one of those who complained, ‘Friend, I did not treat you unfairly. You agreed with me to work the whole day for the standard wage [RHQ].
The boss said to one of them, ‘My friend, I’m not cheating you. You agreed to work all day for one day’s pay, right?
Berean Standard Amplified — Matthew 20:13
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Matthew 20:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 20:13
Study Notes — Matthew 20:13
- Context
- Cross References
- Matthew 20:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Matthew 20:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 20:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 20:13
- Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 20:13
- Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 20:13
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 20:13
- Cambridge Bible on Matthew 20:13
- Barnes' Notes on Matthew 20:13
- Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 20:13
- Sermons on Matthew 20:13
Context — The Parable of the Workers
13But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Did you not agree with me on one denarius?
14Take your pay and go. I want to give this last man the same as I gave you. 15Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?’Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 26:50 | “Friend,” Jesus replied, “do what you came for.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested Him. |
| 2 | Matthew 22:12 | ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But the man was speechless. |
| 3 | Romans 9:14–15 | What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not! For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” |
| 4 | Genesis 18:25 | Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?” |
| 5 | Job 35:2 | “Do you think this is just? You say, ‘I am more righteous than God.’ |
| 6 | Job 40:8 | Would you really annul My justice? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself? |
| 7 | Romans 9:20 | But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” |
| 8 | Job 34:17–18 | Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One, who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’ |
| 9 | Job 34:8–12 | He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men. For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’ Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly. For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences. Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice. |
Matthew 20:13 Summary
[In Matthew 20:13, the landowner reminds one of the workers that they agreed to work for a certain wage, one denarius, and that he is not being unfair by giving it to them. This teaches us that God is a generous God who gives us what we need, and that we should trust in His sovereignty. As seen in Matthew 20:15, the landowner has the right to do as he pleases with his own possessions, and God has the same right over His creation. By trusting in God's goodness and generosity, we can avoid comparing ourselves to others and instead focus on being grateful for what we have, just as we are encouraged to do in 1 Thessalonians 5:18.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the landowner mean by 'one denarius' in Matthew 20:13?
The landowner is referring to the agreed-upon wage for a day's work, as seen in Matthew 20:2, where he initially hired workers for one denarius per day, similar to the standard wage mentioned in Matthew 20:9-10.
Is the landowner being unfair to the workers who labored all day?
No, the landowner is not being unfair, as he is giving them the exact wage they agreed to work for, as stated in Matthew 20:13, and he has the right to be generous with his own possessions, as seen in Matthew 20:15.
What can we learn from the landowner's response to the workers' complaint?
We can learn that God is a generous God who gives graciously, as seen in Matthew 20:15, and that we should not compare ourselves to others or become envious of their blessings, as warned in Galatians 5:26 and James 3:14-16.
How does this verse relate to our understanding of God's sovereignty and generosity?
This verse shows that God, like the landowner, has the right to do as He pleases with what is His, as stated in Matthew 20:15, and that His generosity and sovereignty are not limited by human expectations or comparisons, as seen in Romans 9:20-21 and Isaiah 55:8-9.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I am comparing myself to others or feeling envious of their blessings?
- How can I cultivate a heart of gratitude and trust in God's sovereignty, even when I don't understand His ways?
- What does this verse teach me about the nature of God's generosity and how can I apply that to my own relationships with others?
- In what ways can I reflect God's generosity and kindness to those around me, just as the landowner showed kindness to the last workers hired?
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 20:13
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 20:13
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 20:13
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 20:13
Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 20:13
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 20:13
Cambridge Bible on Matthew 20:13
Barnes' Notes on Matthew 20:13
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 20:13
Sermons on Matthew 20:13
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Seven Words From the Cross - Submission by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. He highlights the significance of the three statements Jesus made before his death: "I thirst," "It is |
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Christ's Very Own - Part 2 by Ian Paisley | This sermon reflects on the tragic betrayal and rejection of Jesus by those who should have been His friends, drawing parallels to the story of Abraham being called the friend of G |
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Spiritual Exercise - Life Within the Veil by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of being broken in order to release Christ's life within us. He explains that this process is achieved through the enlightenmen |
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Why Go to Church? 2 by Anton Bosch | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of reading the Bible systematically rather than relying on chance or selective reading. He warns against using a promise box t |
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Let Us Stand Aloof From Such Heretics by Ignatius of Antioch | Ignatius of Antioch warns against those who mock the cross, passion, and resurrection of Jesus, attributing their actions to the evil spirit who has been the source of sin and rebe |
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If Any Ordained Priest by St. Benedict of Nursia | St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of discernment and commitment for ordained priests seeking to join the monastery. He advises that permission should not be granted |
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On the Wedding Garment by John Wesley | John Wesley preaches on the parable of the wedding garment, emphasizing that the garment symbolizes the righteousness of Christ, which is essential for entering the kingdom of heav |







