Devine Scripture

Matthew 20:15

What does Matthew 20:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 20:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 20:15 means

This verse presents two rhetorical questions that encapsulate the householder's defense and the parable's spiritual lesson. "Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own?" affirms God's absolute sovereignty and right to dispense His grace as He chooses. The second, "or is thine eye evil, because I am good?" exposes the envy and ungenerous spirit of the complaining workers, contrasting their bitter resentment with the householder's benevolence. It challenges a focus on comparison rather than gratitude.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? or is thine eye evil, because I am good?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? or is thine eye evil, because I am good?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Have I not the right to do as seems good to me in my house? or is your eye evil, because I am good?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

is it not lawful to me to do what I will in mine own? is thine eye evil because I am good?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? Is thy eye evil, because I am good?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

is it not lawful for me to do what I will in my own affairs? Is thine eye evil because I am good?

Context

Building on his assertion of sovereignty, this verse delivers the householder's concluding argument in the dialogue with the complaining laborer. These two rhetorical questions powerfully expose the heart of the issue: the householder's right to generosity and the workers' envious reaction. This climactic statement leads directly into the concluding proverb of the parable, tying it back to a broader kingdom principle.

v.14Take up that which is thine, and go thy way; it is my will to give unto this last, even as unto thee.

v.15This passage

v.16So the last shall be first, and the first last.

Cross references

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

  • 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.

  • Ephesians 1:11

    in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will;

  • Proverbs 23:6

    Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, Neither desire thou his dainties:

  • 1 Corinthians 4:7

    For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?

  • Ephesians 2:5

    even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved),

  • Proverbs 28:22

    He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches, And knoweth not that want shall come upon him.

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