Devine Scripture

Matthew 20:11

What does Matthew 20:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 20:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 20:11 means

The immediate reaction of the first-hired laborers to receiving the same wage as those who worked only an hour was to "murmur against the householder." Their discontent, expressed through grumbling, reveals their perception of injustice. They felt wronged because their greater effort and longer hours were not proportionately rewarded, highlighting the human tendency to compare and focus on perceived unfairness.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when they received it, they murmured against the householder,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when they received it, they murmured against the householder,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when they got it, they made a protest against the master of the house,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having received <FI>it<Fi> , they were murmuring against the householder, saying,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And receiving it they murmured against the master of the house,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And on receiving it they murmured against the master of the house,

Context

This verse describes the direct consequence of the householder's payment scheme: the first-hired workers' murmuring. This reaction is a direct response to receiving the same wage as those who worked far less, and it leads directly into their explicit complaint in the following verse. This discontent is crucial for the householder's subsequent explanation of his sovereign generosity.

v.10And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received every man a shilling.

v.11This passage

v.12saying, These last have spent but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:16

    forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always: but the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

  • Acts 11:2

    And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

  • Acts 13:45

    But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.

  • Jude 1:16

    These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaketh great swelling words), showing respect of persons for the sake of advantage.

  • Luke 19:7

    And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, He is gone in to lodge with a man that is a sinner.

  • Acts 22:21

    And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee forth far hence unto the Gentiles.

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