Matthew 20 8

Matthew 20:8 kjv

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.

Matthew 20:8 nkjv

"So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.'

Matthew 20:8 niv

"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.'

Matthew 20:8 esv

And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.'

Matthew 20:8 nlt

"That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first.

Matthew 20 verses

Matthew 20 8 Meaning

This verse describes the moment the vineyard owner instructs his foreman to pay the laborers their agreed wages for the day, but specifies a crucial and surprising order: starting with those hired last and proceeding to those hired first. It sets the stage for the controversial reaction of the earlier workers and highlights the parable's central theme of God's sovereign generosity and the nature of His reward in the Kingdom, which often defies human expectations of merit-based systems.

Matthew 20 8 Context

This verse is an integral part of the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, found in Matthew 20:1-16. It immediately follows the setup where workers are hired at different times of the day (first hour, third hour, sixth, ninth, eleventh) for a standard daily wage (a denarius). The parable itself is Jesus’ direct response to Peter’s question in Matthew 19:27 regarding what the disciples, who have left everything to follow Him, would receive as a reward. Jesus assures them of great reward and authority in the kingdom but then adds the provocative statement, "But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first" (Matt 19:30), which serves as the thematic hinge connecting Peter’s question to this parable.

Historically and culturally, a "denarius" was a common silver coin representing a typical day's wage for an ordinary laborer in Roman-controlled Judea. The expectation was that wages would be paid promptly at the end of the day, as mandated by Old Testament law to protect the poor (Deut 24:14-15). The reversal of the payment order – paying the last first – was culturally jarring and deliberate, designed to challenge deeply ingrained human notions of fairness based on merit, effort, and duration of labor, preparing the listener to grasp the radically different nature of divine generosity and grace. It implicitly addresses human pride and envy that can arise from comparison and perceived unfairness regarding divine blessings or spiritual standing.

Matthew 20 8 Word analysis

• When evening came (ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης - opsias de genomenēs): Opsias: Signifies the end of the workday, a natural time for settling accounts. It evokes the daily rhythms of ancient Jewish life and subtly points towards the "evening" or conclusion of an age, a time of final reckoning or reward in a spiritual sense. The arrival of evening makes payment urgent, fulfilling the Old Testament commandment regarding daily wages.
• the owner of the vineyard (ὁ κύριος τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος - ho kyrios tou ampelōnos): Kyrios: "Lord, master, owner." In the context of the parable, the owner universally represents God. This highlights God's absolute authority and ownership over His kingdom and all His servants. Ampelōnos: "Vineyard." A common biblical metaphor for Israel (Isa 5:1-7) and, in the New Testament, the sphere of God's work or the Kingdom of God, where His people labor for Him.
• said (λέγει - legei): Simple declaration. Emphasizes the owner's authority and initiative.
• to his foreman (τῷ ἐπιτρόπῳ αὐτοῦ - tō epitropō autou): Epitropos: "Steward, manager, overseer." This figure acts on behalf of the owner, implying a delegation of authority. Some interpretations suggest this could metaphorically represent angelic figures or perhaps even Christ Himself, as the administrator of the Father's rewards, or simply a realistic detail in a common master-servant relationship of that era. This steward ensures the owner's will is executed precisely.
• ‘Call the workers’ (Φώνησον τοὺς ἐργάτας - Phōnēson tous ergatas): Phōnēson: "Summon, call forth." Indicates a gathering, implying an official act of assembly for accountability and distribution. It implies the final review or gathering at the end of a task or period.
• ‘and pay them their wages’ (καὶ ἀπόδος αὐτοῖς τὸν μισθόν - kai apodos autois ton misthon): Apodos: "Pay back, give back, render." Signifies payment of what is due or agreed upon. It’s not a favor, but the agreed-upon recompense. Misthos: "Wages, reward, recompense." This refers to the promised denarius, the standard daily pay, underscoring that all were promised the same amount. The use of "wages" suggests justice and an obligation, though the surprising outcome is beyond mere contractual justice.
• beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ (ἀπὸ τῶν ἐσχάτων ἕως τῶν πρώτων - apo tōn eschatōn heōs tōn prōtōn): Eschaton (last) and Proton (first): This phrase is the strategic key to the parable. It intentionally reverses the natural order. This reversal is a signature teaching of Jesus, designed to highlight that God's Kingdom economy operates on principles radically different from human systems of merit, hierarchy, or status. It prepares the listeners for the radical revelation that grace often bypasses perceived earthly qualifications, ensuring no one boasts in their "firstness" and all recognize divine prerogative.

• Words-Group Analysis: "When evening came, the owner... said to his foreman": Establishes the divine command and the timing of payment. The end of the day signals a final settlement, a common theme in eschatological teachings concerning final judgment or reward. "Call the workers and pay them their wages": Represents the moment of divine accounting and distribution of blessings or rewards. It indicates that God is true to His word concerning remuneration, though the terms of that remuneration are determined by His generosity rather than human standards. "beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first": This deliberate instruction fundamentally disrupts human expectation of reward based on the duration or amount of labor. It sets up the parable’s core message: God's generosity and sovereign freedom, where those who come late or appear "least" in human eyes are not disadvantaged but rather may even receive priority and equal benefit due to the owner's benevolence. This also serves as a challenge to human pride, self-righteousness, and envious comparison.

Matthew 20 8 Bonus section

It is important to note that the parable is not an economic treatise advocating for equal pay regardless of work output in human labor relations. Rather, it uses this vivid economic scenario to illustrate the unique principles of God's Kingdom and salvation. The parable challenges the notion of "meritocracy" in receiving divine grace or eternal reward. It teaches against human jealousy and self-entitlement, demonstrating God's unreserved love for all who respond to His call, irrespective of when they come. The focus is on the Giver's unparalleled generosity and freedom, rather than the recipients' earned entitlement. It cautions against an attitude of comparing oneself with others in spiritual matters, which often leads to resentment rather than gratitude.

Matthew 20 8 Commentary

Matthew 20:8 provides the pivotal command that unlocks the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. The master's directive to his foreman to begin payment with the last-hired workers directly sets up the subsequent tension and revelation of the parable. This immediate payment signifies divine recompense and blessing. It is crucial to understand that the owner is not acting unjustly according to the contract, as all were promised a denarius, whether explicitly agreed upon (for the first) or implicitly understood from the owner's just nature (for later hires, who trusted his goodness).

The key theological point embedded in this verse, realized through its reversal of common practice, is the absolute sovereignty and extraordinary grace of God in His Kingdom. God’s giving is not bound by human systems of merit, seniority, or effort. He extends His abundant goodness (represented by the full day's wage) according to His will and grace, not according to what humans might deem "fair" based on their labor. The parable serves as a sharp correction to the disciples’ question about their own reward and implicit sense of deserving special status for their sacrifices (Mt 19:27). It reveals that God's grace ensures even the latecomers or seemingly less deserving receive the fullness of His blessing. The challenge posed is to relinquish self-centered comparison and instead embrace joy in God's extravagant generosity toward all, whether early or late in the spiritual journey. It prompts believers to trust in God's goodness, which transcends human notions of equitable reward based on performance.

Examples: A believer who comes to faith in their final hours might receive the same full eternal life as one who served for decades. A humble servant who labored unnoticed might receive a blessing equivalent to a prominent leader, challenging our judgments of spiritual status.