Matthew 20 7

Matthew 20:7 kjv

They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

Matthew 20:7 nkjv

They said to him, 'Because no one hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.'

Matthew 20:7 niv

"?'Because no one has hired us,' they answered. "He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.'

Matthew 20:7 esv

They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too.'

Matthew 20:7 nlt

"They replied, 'Because no one hired us.' "The landowner told them, 'Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.'

Matthew 20 verses

Matthew 20 7 Meaning

Matthew 20:7 portrays a critical exchange within the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. The verse opens with the workers found idle in the marketplace explaining their unemployment, stating "Because no one has hired us." This reveals their readiness to labor, awaiting an opportunity. The master of the vineyard then responds with a direct invitation, "You also go into the vineyard," extending his call even to those who arrive late. He further promises them, "and whatever is right you will receive," a statement that, in the context of the parable, emphasizes God's sovereign justice and generous grace rather than a wage determined by human merit or the duration of work. It underscores that God's ways of recompense are often beyond human expectation, driven by His own goodness.

Matthew 20 7 Context

Matthew chapter 20 begins with the "Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard," which directly follows and addresses Peter's question in Matthew 19:27 about the disciples' reward for forsaking everything to follow Jesus. The parable describes a landowner hiring laborers at different times of the day (morning, third hour, sixth, ninth, and eleventh hour) to work in his vineyard. Crucially, all are paid the same agreed-upon wage—a denarius—regardless of how long they worked. This unexpected payment causes resentment among those hired first.

Matthew 20:7 specifically highlights the scene at the eleventh hour (roughly 5 PM), just an hour before the workday ends. The master finds more idle workers and asks them why they stand there all day doing nothing. Their response, "Because no one has hired us," sets the stage for the landowner's ultimate display of grace and sovereignty. This immediate context underscores the theme that divine reward is not based on human-defined merit or duration of service, but on the boundless generosity and sovereign will of God, echoing the principle "the last will be first, and the first last" (Matt 20:16). Historically, it reflects typical Jewish labor practices of hiring day laborers from the marketplace in agricultural settings, making the parable relatable to its original audience while challenging their assumptions about justice and reward.

Matthew 20 7 Word analysis

• They: Refers to the "other" workers the master finds standing idle in the marketplace, those who have not been engaged in labor despite seeking it. This group represents those who are ready to respond to God's call at any point in their lives.
• answered him: Indicates a direct response to the master's query. It signifies an honest and direct communication, showing their lack of malicious idleness.
• 'Because no one has hired us.': This is their explanation and highlights their predicament. It is not an excuse for laziness but a declaration of opportunity not granted. The Greek word for "hired" is μισθόω (misthóō), meaning "to hire out for wages, to take into service for wages." This phrase implies a willingness to work but an inability to secure employment on their own, highlighting their dependency. The spiritual parallel suggests a state of spiritual inactivity not due to rebellion but due to an unreceived divine call or perceived opportunity to serve.
• He: Refers to the landowner, who represents God the Father in this parable. This emphasizes His initiative and authority in extending the call to labor.
• said to them: Indicates the landowner's immediate and direct response to their truthful declaration, showing his proactive grace.
• 'You also go': An immediate and direct invitation to work. The Greek word ὑπάγετε (hypagete) implies "go forth, depart," carrying a sense of urgency and direct action into a specific purpose. "You also" extends the prior invitations to them, demonstrating God's inclusive call.
• 'into the vineyard': The destination for work. The Greek ἀμπελών (ampelōn) consistently refers to a vineyard. In biblical symbolism, the vineyard often represents Israel, the people of God, or more broadly, the Kingdom of God and the sphere of Christian service and discipleship. Working in the vineyard implies active participation in God's redemptive purposes.
• 'and whatever is right': A crucial phrase for understanding divine justice. The Greek δίκαιος (dikaios) means "just, righteous, right." From a human perspective, "right" would be a proportional wage for an hour's work. However, in the parable, "whatever is right" is ultimately defined by the landowner's grace and generosity, which far exceeds human concepts of earned wages. It highlights God's justice is perfect, yet intertwined with His sovereign mercy.
• 'you will receive.': An assurance of compensation and provision. This is a promise from the master (God), guaranteeing that their labor will be acknowledged and rewarded according to His divine standard, which as the parable reveals, is generous beyond expectation and not limited by human calculation.

Matthew 20 7 Bonus section

This verse subtly introduces the core tension of the parable: the contrast between human meritocracy and divine grace. The workers' initial claim ("no one hired us") humanizes their position and prepares the audience for the master's unexpected generosity, which is a pivotal aspect of understanding God's nature and economy in His Kingdom. The market place functions as a metaphor for the world, where many stand available, but await a divine call for purposeful service in the "vineyard" (Kingdom work). The timing of the call (eleventh hour) also powerfully conveys that God's offer of salvation and invitation to labor in His Kingdom is open till the very last moments of opportunity, emphasizing His desire for all to come to Him. This aligns with the New Testament's broader message of "now is the day of salvation," making grace available at all life stages.

Matthew 20 7 Commentary

Matthew 20:7 forms the heart of the parable, revealing both the plight of the unengaged and the boundless grace of God. The workers' admission, "Because no one has hired us," is not an excuse for idleness but a sincere statement of unavailability of work. This reflects spiritual states where individuals are ready for God's call but have not yet received a clear direction or invitation into His service. It dismisses the idea of willful laziness, painting a picture of earnest seekers waiting to be summoned.

The landowner's response, "You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive," underscores profound theological truths. Firstly, it shows God's pervasive and inclusive call to all, regardless of the perceived "late hour" in one's life. His invitation extends even to those seemingly without a past history of service. Secondly, the phrase "whatever is right" is a deliberate challenge to human concepts of distributive justice. While from a human perspective "right" might imply proportionality of effort and reward, God's "rightness" is predicated on His intrinsic generosity and sovereign grace, not on merit or duration. This foundational principle reorients our understanding of divine recompense; it is not primarily about earning, but about receiving what God, in His wisdom and goodness, deems fit to bestow. The parable illustrates that God's grace transcends human meritocracies, where salvation and eternal reward are freely given, much to the consternation of those who might feel entitled based on their longer service or more arduous work. The examples could include a person who comes to faith later in life experiencing the same full redemption as someone who served for decades, or individuals feeling entitled to more spiritual blessings due to their "sacrifices" being reminded that all good things come from God's unmerited favor.