Matthew 20:12 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“Saying, These last have wrought {but} one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. {have wrought...: or, have continued one hour only}”

Matthew 20:12

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

And when they had received {it}, they murmured against the goodman of the house,

Saying, These last have wrought {but} one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. {have wrought...: or, have continued one hour only}

But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

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

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Matthew 20:1

"For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man {that is} an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard."

Matthew 20:2

"And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. {penny: the Roman penny is the eighth part of an ounce, which after five shillings the ounce is seven pence halfpenny; about fourteen cents}"

Matthew 20:3

"And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,"

Matthew 20:4

"And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way."

Matthew 20:5

"Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise."

Matthew 20:6

"And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?"

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