Matthew 20 14

Matthew 20:14 kjv

Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

Matthew 20:14 nkjv

Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you.

Matthew 20:14 niv

Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you.

Matthew 20:14 esv

Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you.

Matthew 20:14 nlt

Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you.

Matthew 20 verses

Matthew 20 14 Meaning

Matthew 20:14 captures the master's authoritative response to the grumbling vineyard workers. It affirms his sovereign right to be generous with his own possessions as he sees fit, regardless of the perceived labor or merit of those receiving his beneficence. It serves as a stark reminder that God's grace and rewards operate on principles beyond human concepts of fairness based on a transactional exchange of work for wage, highlighting His freedom to extend unmerited favor.

Matthew 20 14 Context

Matthew 20:14 is part of the parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Matt 20:1-16). This parable is Jesus' answer to Peter's question in Matthew 19:27, where Peter asks what reward the disciples will receive for having left everything to follow Jesus. The parable begins by illustrating the kingdom of heaven, contrasting human expectations of merit-based reward with God's radical generosity. Workers are hired at different times of the day (early morning, third hour, sixth, ninth, eleventh) but all receive the same agreed-upon wage of a denarius at the end of the day. The "first" workers, hired early, expected more because of their longer labor and grumbled when those who worked only one hour received the same amount. The master's statement in verse 14 is a direct response to this complaint, asserting his absolute right to manage his generosity as he chooses. Historically and culturally, a denarius was a common daily wage for a laborer, ensuring no one was short-changed by the master, even those who worked briefly received a full day's pay—an act of profound grace. This challenged the common Jewish understanding of strict retributive justice and merit-based blessings, emphasizing God's prerogative to show boundless mercy and grace.

Matthew 20 14 Word analysis

• Take (λαβῶν, labōn): An aorist participle, acting as an imperative. It's a sharp, decisive command from the master. It indicates not a suggestion, but an order to cease arguing and receive what was agreed upon. It signals finality to the discussion.
• what is yours (τὸ σὸν, to son): This refers explicitly to the denarius that was originally agreed upon (Matthew 20:2). It underscores that the master fulfilled his covenant obligation; the workers received exactly what they were promised. There was no injustice in the contractual sense.
• and go (καὶ ὕπαγε, kai hupage): An emphatic imperative "go away" or "depart." It is a dismissal, a definitive end to the confrontation, asserting the master's authority and his lack of interest in further debate about his decisions.
• I wish (θέλω, thelō): This Greek verb denotes strong will, desire, or purpose. It is a powerful declaration of the master's unconstrained choice and sovereign prerogative. It emphasizes that his giving is not compelled or merited, but flows from his own desire and benevolence. This term highlights divine sovereignty in the allocation of grace.
• to give (δοῦναι, dounai): Aorist infinitive of didōmi (to give). It signifies a free act of gifting, not a payment owed. The master’s action for the latecomers is one of generous gift, distinguishing it from the contract-bound payment to the early workers.
• this last one (τούτῳ τῷ ἐσχάτῳ, toutō tō eschatō): Refers specifically to the workers hired at the eleventh hour. The use of "this" (demonstrative pronoun) focuses the attention squarely on the recipient of the master's generosity, drawing a clear parallel and contrast with the complaining "first" workers.
• the same as you (ὡς καὶ σοί, hōs kai soi): This phrase indicates a precise equivalence in the payment received. It is the core reason for the "first" workers' complaint—they couldn't fathom why minimal labor yielded maximum reward. It perfectly illustrates God's grace, which often levels the playing field, making no distinction in ultimate blessing based on perceived human worthiness or labor.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Take what is yours and go.": This opening imperative phrase establishes the master's unchallengeable authority and firm resolution. It marks the boundary of their complaint: they have received what was due them and have no legitimate ground for further grievance regarding their own wage.
• "I wish to give this last one the same as you.": This declarative statement asserts the master's inherent freedom and sovereignty in managing his own possessions and dispensing his generosity. It is the principle being upheld, countering any human expectation of how rewards should be distributed, instead emphasizing divine prerogative and unexpected grace.

Matthew 20 14 Bonus section

The parable, and specifically this verse, addresses a profound theological point: salvation and rewards in God's kingdom are ultimately matters of grace and His sovereign choice, not human merit or strenuous effort alone. While labor for God is honored, the basis of acceptance and ultimate blessing remains His unmerited favor. This message would have been particularly challenging to a first-century audience, many of whom adhered to a highly meritorious religious system. The master's statement also implies that one's attitude (humble acceptance vs. envious complaint) often defines their experience of God's blessings more than the perceived amount of work. The 'denarius' signifies fullness of blessing or entrance into eternal life, highlighting that all who respond to the call receive the entirety of salvation, regardless of when they come to faith. It encourages gratitude for one's own blessings and rejoicing in the blessings of others, fostering unity rather than divisive comparison within the body of believers.

Matthew 20 14 Commentary

Matthew 20:14 stands as a pivot point in the parable, encapsulating a profound truth about God's kingdom. It dismantles the human tendency to perceive divine interactions through a transactional lens, where reward is strictly proportionate to effort. The master, representing God, asserts absolute sovereignty over his generosity. He doesn't shortchange the early workers, who received exactly what they agreed upon. Their complaint stemmed not from being defrauded, but from envy and a feeling of injustice because others received "more" than they deserved by human calculation. The master's statement ("I wish to give this last one the same as you") highlights that divine grace is not earned but freely bestowed, according to His perfect will, challenging our merit-based thinking. It teaches us to avoid "the evil eye" (envy, Mark 7:22) when observing God's grace towards others, especially those whom we deem less deserving or who enter the kingdom late. The principle is not about fairness in the economic sense but about the boundless, unmerited favor of God that transcends human standards, ultimately revealing His heart.