Devine Scripture

Matthew 20:8

What does Matthew 20:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 20:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 20:8 means

As evening arrives, marking the end of the workday, the householder instructs his steward to pay all the laborers, specifying a command to begin "from the last unto the first." This directive is crucial; it intentionally reverses the customary order of payment, creating a scenario designed to provoke a reaction from those hired first. This unusual instruction sets the stage for the dramatic revelation of the householder's generosity and the subsequent responses of the workers.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and pay them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and pay them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when evening came, the lord of the vine-garden said to his manager, Let the workers come, and give them their payment, from the last to the first.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And evening having come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward, Call the workmen, and pay them the reward, having begun from the last--unto the first.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward: Call the labourers and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the first.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But when the evening was come, the lord of the vineyard says to his steward, Call the workmen and pay [them] their wages, beginning from the last even to the first.

Context

With the workday concluded, this verse transitions to the payment phase of the parable. The householder's specific instruction to pay the laborers in reverse order is a deliberate narrative choice, designed to build tension and set up the eventual conflict. This order of payment is central to understanding the parable's main point about God's grace and challenging human expectations.

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

v.8This passage

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

Cross references

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

  • 1 Peter 4:10

    according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God;

  • Leviticus 19:13

    Thou shalt not oppress thy neighbor, nor rob him: the wages of a hired servant shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.

  • Luke 16:1

    And he said also unto the disciples, There was a certain rich man, who had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he was wasting his goods.

  • Luke 8:3

    and Joanna the wife of Chuzas Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, who ministered unto them of their substance.

  • Matthew 13:39

    and the enemy that sowed them is the devil: and the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are angels.

  • Matthew 25:31

    But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory:

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