Devine Scripture

Matthew 20:9

What does Matthew 20:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 20:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 20:9 means

The payment to the eleventh-hour laborers, each receiving a full shilling despite only working for a short time, begins to reveal the householder's extraordinary generosity. This act immediately establishes that the payment is not strictly based on hours worked but on the master's will. This unexpected payout is the first clue that the parable aims to challenge conventional notions of earned compensation and fair reward.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when those men came who had gone to work at the eleventh hour, they were given every man a penny.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And they of about the eleventh hour having come, did receive each a denary.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

When therefore they were come that came about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And when they [who came to work] about the eleventh hour came, they received each a denarius.

Context

This verse details the payment given to the laborers who were hired last, an event that directly results from the householder's instructions in the previous verse. This initial payment immediately sets a precedent that will cause consternation among the earlier-hired workers. This revelation of the full wage for minimal work is central to the parable's message about God's grace.

v.8And 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.

v.9This passage

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

Cross references

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

  • Ephesians 2:8

    for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

  • 1 Timothy 1:14

    and the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

  • Matthew 20:2

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

  • Romans 4:3

    For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.

  • Ephesians 1:6

    to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved:

  • Luke 23:40

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

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