Devine Scripture

Matthew 20:3

What does Matthew 20:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 20:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 20:3 means

The householder's return to the marketplace at the "third hour" (around 9 AM) signifies his continued need for laborers and his active involvement in seeking them out. The presence of "others standing in the marketplace idle" suggests that opportunities for work were not always readily available, highlighting the workers' vulnerable position. His action demonstrates compassion and a desire to provide employment, foreshadowing the generosity that will be fully revealed at the end of the day.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing in the marketplace idle;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing in the marketplace idle;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he went out about the third hour, and saw others in the market-place doing nothing;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And having gone forth about the third hour, he saw others standing in the market-place idle,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing in the marketplace idle.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And having gone out about [the] third hour, he saw others standing in the market-place idle;

Context

This verse continues the narrative of the parable, showing the householder's reappearance in the marketplace after his initial hiring. It begins a sequence of subsequent hirings throughout the day, establishing that the householder engages workers at different times. This ongoing search for laborers is crucial for the parable's central lesson about God's various callings and His grace extending to all.

v.2And when he had agreed with the laborers for a shilling a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

v.3This passage

v.4and to them he said, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 20:6

    And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing; and he saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

  • Matthew 11:16

    But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the marketplaces, who call unto their fellows

  • Proverbs 19:15

    Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; And the idle soul shall suffer hunger.

  • 1 Timothy 5:13

    And withal they learn also to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

  • Mark 15:25

    And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.

  • Ezekiel 16:49

    Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom: pride, fulness of bread, and prosperous ease was in her and in her daughters; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 20

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 20.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Matthew 20:3.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary