Devine Scripture

Matthew 20:6

What does Matthew 20:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 20:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 20:6 means

The householder's final visit at the "eleventh hour" (around 5 PM, with sunset marking the end of the workday) highlights the very late entry of some workers into the vineyard. His direct question, "Why stand ye here all the day idle?" acknowledges their inactivity but also provides an opportunity for their plight to be voiced. This late hiring is pivotal, as it sets up the most striking contrast in the payment scheme.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And about the eleventh hour he went out and saw others doing nothing; and he says to them, Why are you here all the day doing nothing?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And about the eleventh hour, having gone forth, he found others standing idle, and saith to them, Why here have ye stood all the day idle?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing, and he saith to them: Why stand you here all the day idle?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But about the eleventh [hour], having gone out, he found others standing, and says to them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

Context

This verse marks the final instance of the householder hiring laborers, occurring just an hour before the workday officially ends. This late engagement of workers is the most extreme example of the staggered hiring, further emphasizing the short time some laborers will spend working. This late arrival is particularly significant for the subsequent discussion about wages and fairness.

v.5Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.

v.6This passage

v.7They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard.

Cross references

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

  • Proverbs 19:15

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

  • Ecclesiastes 9:10

    Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.

  • John 9:4

    We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

  • Luke 23:40

    But the other answered, and rebuking him said, Dost thou not even fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

  • Hebrews 6:12

    that ye be not sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

  • 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.

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