Devine Scripture

Matthew 20:10

What does Matthew 20:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 20:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 20:10 means

When the first-hired laborers arrive for payment, having seen the eleventh-hour workers receive a full shilling, they naturally "supposed that they would receive more." This expectation stems from their longer hours and direct contractual agreement. However, they too receive only a shilling. This equal payment, despite their greater toil and duration, directly contradicts their worldly sense of justice and sets up their ensuing complaint.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received every man a shilling.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received every man a shilling.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then those who came first had the idea that they would get more; and they, like the rest, were given a penny.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And the first having come, did suppose that they shall receive more, and they received, they also, each a denary,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But when the first also came, they thought that they should receive more: And they also received every man a penny.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more, and they received also themselves each a denarius.

Context

Following the surprising payment to the last-hired workers, this verse describes the experience of the first-hired laborers. Their expectation of a greater wage, built on conventional fairness, is immediately thwarted when they receive the same amount. This equal payment, after their initial agreement for a shilling, is the catalyst for their discontent and the ensuing dialogue with the householder.

v.9And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a shilling.

v.10This passage

v.11And when they received it, they murmured against the householder,

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