Menu

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?

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights
God & Jesus
Holy Spirit
Divine Actions
Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 20:13

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Matthew 20:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν ενι αυτων εταιρε ουκ αδικω σε ουχι δηναριου συνεφωνησας μοι
ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM
δε de G1161 then Conj
αποκριθεις apokrinō G611 to answer Verb-AOP-NSM
ειπεν legō G3004 to say Verb-2AAI-3S
ενι ehis G1520 one Adj-DSM
αυτων autos G846 it/s/he Pron-GPM
εταιρε hetairos G2083 friend Noun-VSM
ουκ ou G3756 no Particle-N
αδικω adikeō G91 to harm Verb-PAI-1S
σε su G4771 you Pron-2AS
ουχι ouchi G3780 not! Particle-I
δηναριου dēnarion G1220 denarius Noun-GSN
συνεφωνησας sumphōneō G4856 to agree with Verb-AAI-2S
μοι egō G1473 I/we Pron-1DS
Greek Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use arrow keys to navigate between words.

Greek Word Reference — Matthew 20:13

ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
δε de G1161 "then" Conj
This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.
Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.
αποκριθεις apokrinō G611 "to answer" Verb-AOP-NSM
To answer or respond, as in Matthew 27:12 and Mark 14:61, where Jesus answers the high priest. It can also mean to begin speaking or to give a reply. The KJV translates it as 'answer'.
Definition: ἀποκρίνω, ἀποκρίνομαι, [in LXX chiefly for ענה ;] in cl., __1. to separate, distinguish. __2. to choose. Mid., to answer: Mat.27:12, Mrk.14:61, Luk.3:16 23:9, Jhn.5:17, 19 Act.3:12. In late Gk. the pass, also is used in this sense, and pass. forms are the more frequently in NT (M, Pr., 39, 161; MM, see word); __(a) in general sense: absol., Mrk.12:34; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.22:46; with dative of person(s), Mat.12:38; before πρός, Act.25:16; __(b) Hebraistically __(i) like ענה, to begin to speak, take up the conversation (Kennedy, Sources, 124f.): Mat.11:25, al., __(ii) redundant, as in the Heb. phrase וַיַּעַן וַיּאֹמֶר (Dalman, Words, 24f., 38; M, Pr., 14; Bl., §58, 4; 74, 2; Cremer, 374): ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπε, Mat.4:4; ἔφη, 8:8; λέγει, Mrk.3:33; in Jo most frequently (ἀπεκ. κ. εἶπε, 1:49. ) (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 246 NT verses. KJV: answer See also: Acts 3:12; Luke 1:35; Matthew 13:37.
ειπεν legō G3004 "to say" Verb-2AAI-3S
This word means to say or speak, and it is used by Jesus and others in the New Testament to share teachings and tell stories. It appears in Matthew 9:34 and John 1:29.
Definition: λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] __1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. __2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of writing, 2Co.8:8, Php.4:11, al.; λέγει ἡ γραφή, Rom.4:3, Jas.2:23, al.; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.8:8, 9:33, Jhn.5:34, al.; σὺ λέγεις (a non-committal phrase; Swete, Mk., 359, 369f.), Mat.27:11, Mrk.15:2, Luk.23:3, Jhn.18:37; with dative of person(s), before orat. dir., Mat.8:20, Mrk.2:17, al. mult.; id. before ὅτι, Mat.3:9, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, etc., Mrk.4:41, Jhn.11:56, Heb.9:5, al.; to mean (cl.), Mrk.14:71, Jhn.6:71, 1Co.10:29, al.; to call, name, Mrk.10:18; pass., Mat.9:9, Mrk.15:7, al (cf. ἀντι-, δια- (-μαι), προ-, συλ-λέγω). SYN.: λαλέω, which refers to the utterance, as λέγω to the meaning of what is said, its correspondence with thought (Tr., Syn., Ixxvi; Thayer, see word λαλέω). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1988 NT verses. KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 6:2; Acts 19:3.
ενι ehis G1520 "one" Adj-DSM
The Greek word for one, used to describe unity or agreement, as seen in John 10:30 and Romans 12:4-5. It emphasizes oneness and togetherness. This concept is key in Christian teachings.
Definition: εἷς ιά, ἕν, genitive ἑνός, μιᾶς, ἑνός, cardinal numeral, one; __1. one, as opposite to many: Mat.25:15, Rom.5:12, 1Co.10:8, al.; as subst., Rom.5:15, Eph.2:14; id. with genitive partit., Mat.5:19, al.; before ἐκ (ἐξ), Mrk.14:18, Jhn.6:8, al.; metaphorically, of union and concord, Jhn.10:30 17:11, Rom.12:4-5, Php.1:27; ἀπὸ μιᾶς (B1., § 44, 1), Luk.14:18; with neg., εἷς. . . οὐ (μή), more emphatic than οὐδείς, no one, none (cl.), Mat.5:18 10:29, Luk.11:46 12:6. __2. Emphatically, to the exclusion of others; __(a) a single (one): Mat.21:24, Mrk.8:14; absol., 1Co.9:24, al.; οὐδὲ εἷς, Mat.27:14, Jhn.1:3, Rom.3:10, al.; __(b) one, alone: Mrk.2:7 10:18, Luk.18:19; __(with) one and the same: Rom.3:30, 1Co.3:8 11:5 12:11, 1Jn.5:8. __3. In late Gk., with weakened force, = τις or indef. art. (of. Heb. אֶחָד, Gen.22:13, al.; see B1., § 45, 2; M, Pr., 96 f.): Mat.8:19 19:6, Rev.8:13, al.; εἷς τις (Bl., l.with), Luk.22:50, Jhn.11:49 __4. Distributively: εἷς καστος (cl.), Luk.4:40, Act.2:6, al.; εἷς . . . καὶ εἷς (cl., εἷς μὲν . . . εἷς δέ), Mat.17:4, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.20:12, al. (cf. LXX and use of Heb. אֶחָד, Exo.17:12, al); ὁ εἷς . . . ὁ ἕτερος (ἄλλος) = cl. ὁ μὲν (ἕτερος) . . . ὁ δέ (ἕτερος), Mat.6:24, Luk.7:41, Rev.17:10; καθ᾽ εἷς, εἷς κ. είς (in which καθ᾽ is adverbial, or the expression formed from the analogy of ἕν καθ᾽ ἔν; M, Pr., 105), one by one, severally: Mrk.14:19, Rom.12:5, al.; εἷς τὸν ἕνα = ἀλλήλους (B1., 45, 2; M, Pr., 246), 1Th.5:11. __5. As ordinal = πρῶτος (like Heb. אֶחָד; Bl., § 45, 1; M, Pr., 95 f.), first: Mat.28:1, Mrk.16:2, al (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 291 NT verses. KJV: a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some See also: 1 Corinthians 3:8; John 12:4; Hebrews 2:11.
αυτων autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-GPM
This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.
Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.
εταιρε hetairos G2083 "friend" Noun-VSM
In the Bible, this word means a close friend or companion, like in Matthew 11:16 where Jesus calls someone 'friend'. It's also used as a term of address, like 'my friend' in Matthew 20:13.
Definition: ἑταῖρος, -ου, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for רֵעַ and cognate forms, also Sir.11:6 37:2 ff., al. ;] a companion, comrade: Mat.11:16 (WH, ἑτέροις); voc., as term of address, my friend: Mat.20:13 22:12 26:50.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 4 NT verses. KJV: fellow, friend See also: Matthew 11:16; Matthew 22:12; Matthew 26:50.
ουκ ou G3756 "no" Particle-N
This is a strong 'no', used to deny something completely. It appears in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 13:29 and John 1:21. It is a negative answer to a question.
Definition: οὐ, before a vowel with smooth breathing οὐκ, before one with rough breathing οὐχ (but improperly οὐχ ἰδού, Act.2:7, WH, mg.; cf. WH, Intr., §409; M, Pr., 44, 244), [in LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,לֹא ;] neg. particle, not, no, used generally with indic, and for a denial of fact (cf . μή); __1. absol. (accented), οὔ, no: Mat.13:29 Jhn.1:21 21:5; οὒ οὕ, Mat.5:37 Jas.5:12. __2. Most frequently negativing a verb or other word, Mat.1:25 10:26, 38, Mrk.3:25 9:37, Jhn.8:29, Act.7:5, Rom.1:16, Php.3:3, al.; in litotes, οὐκ ὀλίγοι (i.e. very many), Act.17:4, al.; οὐκ ἄσημος, Act.21:39; πᾶς . . . οὐ, with verb, (like Heb. כֹּל . . . לֹא), no, none, Mat.24:22, Mrk.13:20, Luk.1:37, Eph.5:5, al.; in disjunctive statements, οὐκ . . . ἀλλά, Luk.8:52 Jhn.1:33 Rom.8:2o, al.; with 2 of person(s) fut. (like Heb. לֹא, with impf.), as emphatic prohibition, Mat.4:7, Luk.4:12, Rom.7:7, al. __3. With another negative, __(a) strengthening the negation: Mrk.5:37, Jhn.8:15 12:19, Act.8:39, al.; __(b) making an affirmative: Act.4:20, 1Co.12:15. __4. With other particles: οὐ μή (see: μή); οὐ μηκέτι, Mat.21:19; with μή interrog., Rom.10:18, 1Co.9:4, 5 11:22. __5. Interrogative, expecting an affirmative answer (Lat. nonne): Mat.6:26, Mrk.4:21, Luk.11:40, Jhn.4:35, Rom.9:21, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1410 NT verses. KJV: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but See also: 1 Corinthians 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:32; 1 Peter 1:8.
αδικω adikeō G91 "to harm" Verb-PAI-1S
To harm or do wrong to someone, as seen in Acts 25:11 and 1 Corinthians 6:8. It means to act unjustly or unrighteously, and can refer to physical, moral, or social harm.
Definition: ἀδικέω, -ῶ (ἄδικος), [in LXX for עשׁק, עוה, etc. ;] __1. intrans., to be ἄδικος, do wrong, act wickedly or criminally: Act.25:11, 1Co.6:8, 2Co.7:12, Col.3:25, Rev.22:11; to do hurt, Rev.9:19. __2. Trans. __(a) to do some wrong: ὃ ἠδίκησεν, Col.3:25; to wrong some one, Mat.20:13, Act.7:26, 27 25:10, 2Co.7:2, Gal.4:12, Phm 18, 2Pe.2:13; pass., Act.7:24, 2Co.7:12; mid., 1Co.6:7 (suffer . . . to be wronged; WM, §38, 3; but see Bl., §54, 5; and cf. ἀποστερέω); __(b) to injure, hurt: Luk.10:19 Rev.2:11 6:6 7:2, 3 9:4,10 11:5. † (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 23 NT verses. KJV: hurt, injure, be an offender, be unjust, (do, suffer, take) wrong See also: 1 Corinthians 6:7; Luke 10:19; Revelation 2:11.
σε su G4771 "you" Pron-2AS
This Greek word means 'you' and is used to address someone directly, like in John 1:30 and Matthew 26:64. It's a way to emphasize or contrast the person being spoken to. The KJV Bible translates it as 'thou'.
Definition: σύ, pron. of 2nd of person(s), thou, you, genitive, σοῦ, dative, σοί, accusative, σέ, pl., ὑμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς (enclitic in oblique cases sing., except after prep. (BL, §48, 3), though πρὸς σέ occurs in Mat.25:39). Nom. for emphasis or contrast: Jhn.1:30, 4:10, 5:33, 39, 44, Act.4:7, Eph.5:32; so also perhaps σὺ εἶπας, Mat.26:64, al. (M, Pr., 86); before voc., Mat.2:6, Luk.1:76, Jhn.17:5, al.; sometimes without emphasis (M, Pr., 85f.), as also in cl., but esp. as rendering of Heb. phrase, e.g. υἱός μου εἶ σύ (בְּנִי־אַתָּה, Psa.2:7), Act.13:33. The genitive (σοῦ, ὑμῶν) is sometimes placed bef. the noun: Luk.7:48, 12:30, al.; so also the enclitic σοῦ, Mat.9:6; on τί ἐμοὶ κ. σοί, see: ἐγώ. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.
ουχι ouchi G3780 "not!" Particle-I
Ouchi is a strong way of saying no in Greek, like saying not at all. It's used in Luke 1:60 and John 13:10 to show a strong negative response.
Definition: οὐχί strengthened form of οὐ, not; __(a) in neg. sentences, not, not at all: Luk.1:60 12:51, Jhn.13:10, al.; __(b) more frequently in questions where an affirm. ans. is expected (Lat. nonne) : Mat.5:46-47, Luk.6:39, Jhn.11:9, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 54 NT verses. KJV: nay, not See also: 1 Corinthians 1:20; Luke 12:6; Hebrews 1:14.
δηναριου dēnarion G1220 "denarius" Noun-GSN
A denarius was a Roman coin used in Jesus' time, equal to a day's wage. It is mentioned in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, often in stories about money and fairness. The denarius was a common unit of exchange.
Definition: δηνάριον, -ου, τό the Lat. denarius, a Roman coin, nearly equal to the δραχμή, which see: Mat.18:28 20:2, 9, 13 22:19, Mrk.6:37 12:15 14:5, Luk.7:41 10:35 20:24, Jhn.6:7 12:5, Rev.6:6; τὸ ἀνὰ δ., Mat.20:10.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 15 NT verses. KJV: pence, penny(-worth) See also: John 6:7; Mark 14:5; Revelation 6:6.
συνεφωνησας sumphōneō G4856 "to agree with" Verb-AAI-2S
To agree with or be in harmony with someone, as seen in Matthew 18:19 and Luke 5:36. This word means to be harmonious or to concur with something or someone.
Definition: συμ-φωνέω, -ῶ, [in LXX: Gen.14:3 (H2266) 2Ki.12:8 (9) (H225 ni.), Isa.7:2 (H5117), 4Ma.14:6 * ;] prop., to agree in sound, be in harmony (Plat., Arist.). Metaphorical, __(a) to agree with, agree together: Luk.5:36; with dative of thing(s), Act.15:15; before περί, Mat.18:19; pass., with dative of person(s), συνεφωνήθη ὑμῖν, Act.5:9; __(b) to agree as to a price (Polyb., Diod.): with dative of person(s), genitive pret., Mat.20:13; before μετά . . . ἐκ, Mat.20:2.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 6 NT verses. KJV: agree (together, with) See also: Acts 5:9; Matthew 18:19; Matthew 20:13.
μοι egō G1473 "I/we" Pron-1DS
This is a pronoun meaning I or me, used by the speaker to refer to themselves. It is often used in the Bible to emphasize the speaker's identity.
Definition: ἐγώ, genitive, etc., ἐμοῦ, ἐμοί, ἐμέ (enclitic μου, μοι, με), pl. ἡμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς, of person(s) pron. I. __(a) The nom. is usually emphatic, when expressed as subjc, as in Mat.3:11, Mrk.1:8, Luk.3:16, al. But often there is no apparent emphasis, as Mat.10:16, Jhn.10:17; ἰδοὺ ἐ. (= Heb. הִנֵּנִי, cf. 1Ki.3:8), Act.9:10; ἐ. (like Heb. אֲנִי), I am, Jhn.1:23 (LXX), Act.7:32 (LXX). __(b) The enclitic forms (see supr.) are used with nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, where there is no emphasis: ἐν τ. πατρί μου, Jhn.14:20; μου τ. λόγους, Mat.7:24; ὀπίσω μου, Mat.3:11; ἰσχυρότερός μου, ib.; λέγει μοι, Rev.5:5; also with the prep. πρός, as Mrk.9:19, al. The full forms (ἐμοῦ, etc.) are used with the other prepositions, as δι᾽ ἐμοῦ, ἐν ἐμοί, εἰς ἐμέ, etc., also for emphasis, as Luk.10:16, Jhn.7:23, Mrk.14:7, al. __(with) The genitive μου and ἡμῶν are often used for the poss. pronouns ἐμός, ἡμέτερος: τ. λαόν μου, Mat.2:6; μου τῂ ἀπιστιᾳ, Mrk.9:24. __(d) τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί ( = Heb. מַה־לִי וָלָךְ, Jdg.11:12, al.), i.e. what have we in common: Mat.8:29, Mrk.1:24, 5:7, Luk.8:28, Jhn.2:4; τί γάρ μοι, 1Co.5:2. __(e) The interchange of ἐγώ and ἡμεῖς, common in π., appears in Pauline Epp. (see M, Pr., 86f., M, Th., 131f.). __(f) κἀγώ (= καὶ ἐγώ), and I, even I, I also: Mat.2:8, Luk.2:48, Jhn.6:56, Rom.3:7, 1Co.7:40, al.; κἀγώ . . . καί, both . . . and, Jhn.7:28. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1872 NT verses. KJV: I, me See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 16:24; 1 Peter 1:3.

Study Notes — Matthew 20:13

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (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

  1. What are some areas in my life where I am comparing myself to others or feeling envious of their blessings?
  2. How can I cultivate a heart of gratitude and trust in God's sovereignty, even when I don't understand His ways?
  3. 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?
  4. 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

But he answered one of them,.... Who was the forwardest and loudest in his complaints, and represented the rest; and said, friend, I do thee no wrong; by giving all alike, the same privileges and

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 20:13

But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 20:13

See Poole on "".

Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 20:13

13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Ver. 13. Friend, I do thee no wrong] Friend he is called, not reprobate, though he were a murmurer, a merit monger. In arguing the case with others, use hard arguments, but in a soft language. This will soonest work; for man is a cross, crabbed creature, and if roughly dealt with, will sooner slight you for your passion than regard your reason, though never so convincing, because not well managed. There are a generation whose words are swords, whose tongues are rapiers to run men through with, upon every small occasion, and their throats as a gaping grave to bury them in, Romans 3:12-13.

Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 20:13

(13) Friend.—The word so translated (literally, comrade, companion) always carries, with it in our Lord’s lips a tone of reproof. It is addressed to the man who had not on a wedding garment (Matthew 22:12), and to the traitor Judas (Matthew 26:50). I do thee no wrong.—The answer of the house holder is that of one who is just where claims are urged on the ground of justice, generous where he sees that generosity is right. Had the first-called labourers shared this generosity, they would not have grudged the others the wages that they themselves received, and would have found their own reward in sympathy with their joy. This would be true even in the outer framework of the parable. It is à fortiori true when we pass to its spiritual interpretation. No disciple who had entered into his Master’s spirit would grudge the repentant thief his rest in Paradise (Luke 23:43). No consistent Christian thinks that he ought to have some special reward because he sees a death-bed repentance crowned by a peace, the foretaste of eternal life, as full and assured as his own.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 20:13

Verse 13. Friend, I do thee no wrong] The salvation of the Gentiles can in itself become no impediment to the Jews; there is the same Jesus both for the Jew and for the Greek. Eternal life is offered to both through the blood of the cross; and there is room enough in heaven for all.

Cambridge Bible on Matthew 20:13

13. Friend] The Greek word is used of any temporary connection, without the idea of affectionate friendship. It is used by a master to his slave; by a guest to a fellow-guest; as a general address on meeting. Cp. ch. Matthew 22:12 and Matthew 26:50, where it is a term of reproachful rebuke.

Barnes' Notes on Matthew 20:13

Friend, I do thee no wrong - I have fully complied with the contract. We had an agreement: I have paid all that I promised.

Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 20:13

13. Friend — A term of cautious respect, with a reproving import. Didst not thou agree — The murmurer received all he had bargained for. Full justice was therefore done him.

Sermons on Matthew 20:13

SermonDescription
Warren Wiersbe 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
Ian Paisley 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
Stephen Kaung 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
Anton Bosch 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
Ignatius of Antioch 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
St. Benedict of Nursia 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
John Wesley 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

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate