Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Matthew » Chapter 20 » Verse 1-34

Matthew 20:1-34 King James Version (KJV)

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.

2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

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

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

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

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?

7 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.

8 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.

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

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

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

12 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.

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

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

15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,

18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,

19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

29 And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.

31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.

32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?

33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.

34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.


Matthew 20:1-34 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 For G1063 the kingdom G932 of heaven G3772 is G2076 like G3664 unto a man G444 that is an householder, G3617 which G3748 went out G1831 early in the morning G260 G4404 to hire G3409 labourers G2040 into G1519 his G846 vineyard. G290

2 And G1161 when he had agreed G4856 with G3326 the labourers G2040 for G1537 a penny G1220 a day, G2250 he sent G649 them G846 into G1519 his G846 vineyard. G290

3 And G2532 he went out G1831 about G4012 the third G5154 hour, G5610 and saw G1492 others G243 standing G2476 idle G692 in G1722 the marketplace, G58

4 And said G2036 unto them; G2548 Go G5217 ye G5210 also G2532 into G1519 the vineyard, G290 and G2532 whatsoever G3739 G1437 is G5600 right G1342 I will give G1325 you. G5213 And G1161 they went their way. G565

5 Again G3825 he went out G1831 about G4012 the sixth G1623 and G2532 ninth G1766 hour, G5610 and did G4160 likewise. G5615

6 And G1161 about G4012 the eleventh G1734 hour G5610 he went out, G1831 and found G2147 others G243 standing G2476 idle, G692 and G2532 saith G3004 unto them, G846 Why G5101 stand ye G2476 here G5602 all G3650 the day G2250 idle? G692

7 They say G3004 unto him, G846 Because G3754 no man G3762 hath hired G3409 us. G2248 He saith G3004 unto them, G846 Go G5217 ye G5210 also G2532 into G1519 the vineyard; G290 and G2532 whatsoever G3739 G1437 is G5600 right, G1342 that shall ye receive. G2983

8 So G1161 when even G3798 was come, G1096 the lord G2962 of the vineyard G290 saith G3004 unto his G846 steward, G2012 Call G2564 the labourers, G2040 and G2532 give G591 them G846 their hire, G3408 beginning G756 from G575 the last G2078 unto G2193 the first. G4413

9 And G2532 when they came G2064 that were hired about G4012 the eleventh G1734 hour, G5610 they received G2983 every man G303 a penny. G1220

10 But G1161 when the first G4413 came, G2064 they supposed G3543 that G3754 they should have received G2983 more; G4119 and G2532 they likewise G2532 received G2983 every man G846 G303 a penny. G1220

11 And G1161 when they had received G2983 it, they murmured G1111 against G2596 the goodman of the house, G3617

12 G3754 Saying, G3004 These G3778 last G2078 have wrought G4160 but one G3391 hour, G5610 and G2532 thou hast made G4160 them G846 equal G2470 unto us, G2254 which G3588 have borne G941 the burden G922 and G2532 heat G2742 of the day. G2250

13 But G1161 he answered G611 one G1520 of them, G846 and said, G2036 Friend, G2083 I do G91 thee G4571 no G3756 wrong: G91 didst G4856 not G3780 thou agree G4856 with me G3427 for a penny? G1220

14 Take G142 that thine G4674 is, and G2532 go thy way: G5217 G1161 I will G2309 give G1325 unto this G5129 last, G2078 even G2532 as G5613 unto thee. G4671

15 G2228 Is it not G3756 lawful G1832 for me G3427 to do G4160 what G3739 I will G2309 with G1722 mine own? G1699 G1487 Is G2076 thine G4675 eye G3788 evil, G4190 because G3754 I G1473 am G1510 good? G18

16 So G3779 the last G2078 shall be G2071 first, G4413 and G2532 the first G4413 last: G2078 for G1063 many G4183 be G1526 called, G2822 but G1161 few G3641 chosen. G1588

17 And G2532 Jesus G2424 going up G305 to G1519 Jerusalem G2414 took G3880 the twelve G1427 disciples G3101 apart G2596 G2398 in G1722 the way, G3598 and G2532 said G2036 unto them, G846

18 Behold, G2400 we go up G305 to G1519 Jerusalem; G2414 and G2532 the Son G5207 of man G444 shall be betrayed G3860 unto the chief priests G749 and G2532 unto the scribes, G1122 and G2532 they shall condemn G2632 him G846 to death, G2288

19 And G2532 shall deliver G3860 him G846 to the Gentiles G1484 to G1519 mock, G1702 and G2532 to scourge, G3146 and G2532 to crucify G4717 him: and G2532 the third G5154 day G2250 he shall rise again. G450

20 Then G5119 came G4334 to him G846 the mother G3384 of Zebedee's G2199 children G5207 with G3326 her G846 sons, G5207 worshipping G4352 him, and G2532 desiring G154 a certain G5100 thing G3844 of him. G846

21 And G1161 he said G2036 unto her, G846 What G5101 wilt thou? G2309 She saith G3004 unto him, G846 Grant G2036 that G2443 these G3778 my G3450 two G1417 sons G5207 may sit, G2523 the one G1520 on G1537 thy G4675 right hand, G1188 and G2532 the other G1520 on G1537 the left, G2176 in G1722 thy G4675 kingdom. G932

22 But G1161 Jesus G2424 answered G611 and said, G2036 Ye know G1492 not G3756 what G5101 ye ask. G154 Are ye able G1410 to drink G4095 of the cup G4221 that G3739 I G1473 shall G3195 drink of, G4095 and G2532 to be baptized G907 with the baptism G908 that G3739 I G1473 am baptized with? G907 They say G3004 unto him, G846 We are able. G1410

23 And G2532 he saith G3004 unto them, G846 Ye shall drink G4095 indeed G3303 of my G3450 cup, G4221 and G2532 be baptized G907 with the baptism G908 that G3739 I G1473 am baptized with: G907 but G1161 to sit G2523 on G1537 my G3450 right hand, G1188 and G2532 on G1537 my G3450 left, G2176 is G2076 not G3756 mine G1699 to give, G1325 but G235 it shall be given to them for whom G3739 it is prepared G2090 of G5259 my G3450 Father. G3962

24 And G2532 when the ten G1176 heard G191 it, they were moved with indignation G23 against G4012 the two G1417 brethren. G80

25 But G1161 Jesus G2424 called G4341 them G846 unto him, and said, G2036 Ye know G1492 that G3754 the princes G758 of the Gentiles G1484 exercise dominion over G2634 them, G846 and G2532 they that are great G3173 exercise authority upon G2715 them. G846

26 But G1161 it shall G2071 not G3756 be G2071 so G3779 among G1722 you: G5213 but G235 whosoever G3739 G1437 will G2309 be G1096 great G3173 among G1722 you, G5213 let him be G2077 your G5216 minister; G1249

27 And G2532 whosoever G3739 G1437 will G2309 be G1511 chief G4413 among G1722 you, G5213 let him be G2077 your G5216 servant: G1401

28 Even as G5618 the Son G5207 of man G444 came G2064 not G3756 to be ministered unto, G1247 but G235 to minister, G1247 and G2532 to give G1325 his G846 life G5590 a ransom G3083 for G473 many. G4183

29 And G2532 as they G846 departed G1607 from G575 Jericho, G2410 a great G4183 multitude G3793 followed G190 him. G846

30 And, G2532 behold, G2400 two G1417 blind men G5185 sitting G2521 by the way G3598 side, G3844 when they heard G191 that G3754 Jesus G2424 passed by, G3855 cried out, G2896 saying, G3004 Have mercy G1653 on us, G2248 O Lord, G2962 thou Son G5207 of David. G1138

31 And G1161 the multitude G3793 rebuked G2008 them, G846 because G2443 they should hold their peace: G4623 but G1161 they cried G2896 the more, G3185 saying, G3004 Have mercy G1653 on us, G2248 O Lord, G2962 thou Son G5207 of David. G1138

32 And G2532 Jesus G2424 stood still, G2476 and called G5455 them, G846 and G2532 said, G2036 What G5101 will ye G2309 that I shall do G4160 unto you? G5213

33 They say G3004 unto him, G846 Lord, G2962 that G2443 our G2257 eyes G3788 may be opened. G455

34 So G1161 Jesus G2424 had compassion G4697 on them, and touched G680 their G846 eyes: G3788 and G2532 immediately G2112 their G846 eyes G3788 received sight, G308 and G2532 they followed G190 him. G846


Matthew 20:1-34 American Standard (ASV)

1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that was a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard.

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

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

4 and to them he said, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

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

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

7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard.

8 And 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.

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

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

11 And when they received it, they murmured against the householder,

12 saying, These last have spent `but' one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.

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

14 Take up that which is thine, and go thy way; it is my will to give unto this last, even as unto thee.

15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? or is thine eye evil, because I am good?

16 So the last shall be first, and the first last.

17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples apart, and on the way he said unto them,

18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests and scribes; and they shall condemn him to death,

19 and shall deliver him unto the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify: and the third day he shall be raised up.

20 Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, worshipping `him', and asking a certain thing of him.

21 And he said unto her, What wouldest thou? She saith unto him, Command that these my two sons may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on thy left hand, in thy kingdom.

22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? They say unto him, We are able.

23 He saith unto them, My cup indeed ye shall drink: but to sit on my right hand, and on `my' left hand, is not mine to give; but `it is for them' for whom it hath been prepared of my Father.

24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation concerning the two brethren.

25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

26 Not so shall it be among you: but whosoever would become great among you shall be your minister;

27 and whosoever would be first among you shall be your servant:

28 even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

29 And as they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

30 And behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, Lord, have mercy on us, thou son of David.

31 And the multitude rebuked them, that they should hold their peace: but they cried out the more, saying, Lord, have mercy on us, thou son of David.

32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I should do unto you?

33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.

34 And Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes; and straightway they received their sight, and followed him.


Matthew 20:1-34 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 `For the reign of the heavens is like to a man, a householder, who went forth with the morning to hire workmen for his vineyard,

2 and having agreed with the workmen for a denary a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

3 `And having gone forth about the third hour, he saw others standing in the market-place idle,

4 and to these he said, Go ye -- also ye -- to the vineyard, and whatever may be righteous I will give you;

5 and they went away. `Again, having gone forth about the sixth and the ninth hour, he did in like manner.

6 And about the eleventh hour, having gone forth, he found others standing idle, and saith to them, Why here have ye stood all the day idle?

7 they say to him, Because no one did hire us; he saith to them, Go ye -- ye also -- to the vineyard, and whatever may be righteous ye shall receive.

8 `And evening having come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward, Call the workmen, and pay them the reward, having begun from the last -- unto the first.

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

10 `And the first having come, did suppose that they shall receive more, and they received, they also, each a denary,

11 and having received `it', they were murmuring against the householder, saying,

12 that These, the last, wrought one hour, and thou didst make them equal to us, who were bearing the burden of the day -- and the heat.

13 `And he answering said to one of them, Comrade, I do no unrighteousness to thee; for a denary didst not thou agree with me?

14 take that which is thine, and go; and I will to give to this, the last, also as to thee;

15 is it not lawful to me to do what I will in mine own? is thine eye evil because I am good?

16 So the last shall be first, and the first last, for many are called, and few chosen.'

17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples by themselves in the way, and said to them,

18 `Lo, we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man shall be delivered to the chief priests and scribes,

19 and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the nations to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify, and the third day he will rise again.'

20 Then came near to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee, with her sons, bowing and asking something from him,

21 and he said to her, `What wilt thou?' She saith to him, `Say, that they may sit -- these my two sons -- one on thy right hand, and one on the left, in thy reign.'

22 And Jesus answering said, `Ye have not known what ye ask for yourselves; are ye able to drink of the cup that I am about to drink? and with the baptism that I am baptized with, to be baptized?' They say to him, `We are able.'

23 And he saith to them, `Of my cup indeed ye shall drink, and with the baptism that I am baptized with ye shall be baptized; but to sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give, but -- to those for whom it hath been prepared by my father.'

24 And the ten having heard, were much displeased with the two brothers,

25 and Jesus having called them near, said, `Ye have known that the rulers of the nations do exercise lordship over them, and those great do exercise authority over them,

26 but not so shall it be among you, but whoever may will among you to become great, let him be your ministrant;

27 and whoever may will among you to be first, let him be your servant;

28 even as the Son of Man did not come to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.'

29 And they going forth from Jericho, there followed him a great multitude,

30 and lo, two blind men sitting by the way, having heard that Jesus doth pass by, cried, saying, `Deal kindly with us, sir -- Son of David.'

31 And the multitude charged them that they might be silent, and they cried out the more, saying, `Deal kindly with us sir -- Son of David.'

32 And having stood, Jesus called them, and said, `What will ye `that' I may do to you?'

33 they say to him, `Sir, that our eyes may be opened;'

34 and having been moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.


Matthew 20:1-34 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 For the kingdom of the heavens is like a householder who went out with the early morn to hire workmen for his vineyard.

2 And having agreed with the workmen for a denarius the day, he sent them into his vineyard.

3 And having gone out about [the] third hour, he saw others standing in the market-place idle;

4 and to them he said, Go also ye into the vineyard, and whatsoever may be just I will give you. And they went their way.

5 Again, having gone out about the sixth and ninth hour, he did likewise.

6 But about the eleventh [hour], having gone out, he found others standing, and says to them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

7 They say to him, Because no man has hired us. He says to them, Go also ye into the vineyard [and whatsoever may be just ye shall receive].

8 But when the evening was come, the lord of the vineyard says to his steward, Call the workmen and pay [them] their wages, beginning from the last even to the first.

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

10 And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more, and they received also themselves each a denarius.

11 And on receiving it they murmured against the master of the house,

12 saying, These last have worked one hour, and thou hast made them equal to us, who have borne the burden of the day and the heat.

13 But he answering said to one of them, [My] friend, I do not wrong thee. Didst thou not agree with me for a denarius?

14 Take what is thine and go. But it is my will to give to this last even as to thee:

15 is it not lawful for me to do what I will in my own affairs? Is thine eye evil because *I* am good?

16 Thus shall the last be first, and the first last; for many are called ones, but few chosen ones.

17 And Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples with [him] apart in the way, and said to them,

18 Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man will be delivered up to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death;

19 and they will deliver him up to the nations to mock and to scourge and to crucify, and the third day he shall rise again.

20 Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee, with her sons, doing homage, and asking something of him.

21 And he said to her, What wilt thou? She says to him, Speak [the word] that these my two sons may sit, one on thy right hand and one on thy left in thy kingdom.

22 And Jesus answering said, Ye know not what ye ask. Can ye drink the cup which *I* am about to drink? They say to him, We are able.

23 [And] he says to them, Ye shall drink indeed my cup, but to sit on my right hand and on [my] left, is not mine to give, but to those for whom it is prepared of my Father.

24 And the ten, having heard [of it], were indignant about the two brothers.

25 But Jesus having called them to [him], said, Ye know that the rulers of the nations exercise lordship over them, and the great exercise authority over them.

26 It shall not be thus amongst you, but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your servant;

27 and whosoever will be first among you, let him be your bondman;

28 as indeed the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.

29 And as they went out from Jericho a great crowd followed him.

30 And lo, two blind men, sitting by the wayside, having heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out saying, Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David.

31 But the crowd rebuked them, that they might be silent. But they cried out the more, saying, Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David.

32 And Jesus, having stopped, called them and said, What will ye that I shall do to you?

33 They say to him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.

34 And Jesus, moved with compassion, touched their eyes; and immediately their eyes had sight restored to them, and they followed him.


Matthew 20:1-34 World English Bible (WEB)

1 "For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who was the master of a household, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.

2 When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius{A denarius is a silver Roman coin worth 1/25th of a Roman aureus. This was a common wage for a day of farm labor.} a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

3 He went out about the third hour,{Time was measured from sunrise to sunset, so the third hour would be about 9:00 AM.} and saw others standing idle in the marketplace.

4 To them he said, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went their way.

5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour,{noon and 3:00 P. M.} and did likewise.

6 About the eleventh hour{5:00 PM} he went out, and found others standing idle. He said to them, 'Why do you stand here all day idle?'

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

8 When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to the first.'

9 "When those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came, they each received a denarius.

10 When the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise each received a denarius.

11 When they received it, they murmured against the master of the household,

12 saying, 'These last have spent one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat!'

13 "But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn't you agree with me for a denarius?

14 Take that which is yours, and go your way. It is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you.

15 Isn't it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?'

16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen."

17 As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them,

18 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death,

19 and will hand him over to the Gentiles to mock, to scourge, and to crucify; and the third day he will be raised up."

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, kneeling and asking a certain thing of him.

21 He said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand, and one on your left hand, in your Kingdom."

22 But Jesus answered, "You don't know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to him, "We are able."

23 He said to them, "You will indeed drink my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with, but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it is for whom it has been prepared by my Father."

24 When the ten heard it, they were indignant with the two brothers.

25 But Jesus summoned them, and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

26 It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be{TR reads "let him be" instead of "shall be"} your servant.

27 Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant,

28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

29 As they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

30 Behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us, you son of David!"

31 The multitude rebuked them, telling them that they should be quiet, but they cried out even more, "Lord, have mercy on us, you son of David!"

32 Jesus stood still, and called them, and asked, "What do you want me to do for you?"

33 They told him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened."

34 Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes; and immediately their eyes received their sight, and they followed him.


Matthew 20:1-34 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 For the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a house, who went out early in the morning to get workers into his vine-garden.

2 And when he had made an agreement with the workmen for a penny a day, he sent them into his vine-garden.

3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others in the market-place doing nothing;

4 And he said to them, Go into the vine-garden with the others, and whatever is right I will give you. And they went to work.

5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same.

6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and saw others doing nothing; and he says to them, Why are you here all the day doing nothing?

7 They say to him, Because no man has given us work. He says to them, Go in with the rest, into the vine-garden.

8 And when evening came, the lord of the vine-garden said to his manager, Let the workers come, and give them their payment, from the last to the first.

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

10 Then those who came first had the idea that they would get more; and they, like the rest, were given a penny.

11 And when they got it, they made a protest against the master of the house,

12 Saying, These last have done only one hour's work, and you have made them equal to us, who have undergone the hard work of the day and the burning heat.

13 But he in answer said to one of them, Friend, I do you no wrong: did you not make an agreement with me for a penny?

14 Take what is yours, and go away; it is my pleasure to give to this last, even as to you.

15 Have I not the right to do as seems good to me in my house? or is your eye evil, because I am good?

16 So the last will be first, and the first last.

17 And when Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples on one side, and said to them,

18 See, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be given into the hands of the chief priests and scribes; and they will give orders for him to be put to death,

19 And will give him up to the Gentiles to be made sport of and to be whipped and to be put to death on the cross: and the third day he will come back again from the dead.

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, giving him worship and making a request of him.

21 And he said to her, What is your desire? She says to him, Let my two sons be seated, the one at your right hand, and the other at your left, in your kingdom.

22 But Jesus made answer and said, You have no idea what you are requesting. Are you able to take of the cup which I am about to take?

23 They say to him, We are able. He says to them, Truly, you will take of my cup: but to be seated at my right hand and at my left is not for me to give, but it is for those for whom my Father has made it ready.

24 And when it came to the ears of the ten, they were angry with the two brothers.

25 But Jesus said to them, You see that the rulers of the Gentiles are lords over them, and their great ones have authority over them.

26 Let it not be so among you: but if anyone has a desire to become great among you, let him be your servant;

27 And whoever has a desire to be first among you, let him take the lowest place:

28 Even as the Son of man did not come to have servants, but to be a servant, and to give his life for the salvation of men.

29 And when they were going out from Jericho, a great number went after him.

30 And two blind men seated by the wayside, when they had the news that Jesus was going by, gave a loud cry, saying, Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us.

31 And the people gave them orders to be quiet; but they went on crying even louder, Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us.

32 And Jesus, stopping, sent for them, and said, What would you have me do to you?

33 They say to him, Lord, that our eyes may be open.

34 And Jesus, being moved with pity, put his fingers on their eyes: and straight away they were able to see, and went after him.

Commentary on Matthew 20 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 20

Mt 20:1-16. Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard.

This parable, recorded only by Matthew, is closely connected with the end of the nineteenth chapter, being spoken with reference to Peter's question as to how it should fare with those who, like himself, had left all for Christ. It is designed to show that while they would be richly rewarded, a certain equity would still be observed towards later converts and workmen in His service.

1. For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, &c.—The figure of a vineyard, to represent the rearing of souls for heaven, the culture required and provided for that purpose, and the care and pains which God takes in that whole matter, is familiar to every reader of the Bible. (Ps 80:8-16; Isa 5:1-7; Jer 2:21; Lu 20:9-16; Joh 15:1-8). At vintage time, as Webster and Wilkinson remark, labor was scarce, and masters were obliged to be early in the market to secure it. Perhaps the pressing nature of the work of the Gospel, and the comparative paucity of laborers, may be incidentally suggested, Mt 9:37, 38. The "laborers," as in Mt 9:38, are first, the official servants of the Church, but after them and along with them all the servants of Christ, whom He has laid under the weightiest obligation to work in His service.

2. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny—a usual day's hire.

he sent them into his vineyard.

3. And he went out about the third hour—about nine o'clock, or after a fourth of the working day had expired: the day of twelve hours was reckoned from six to six.

and saw others standing idle in the market place—unemployed.

4. And said unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right—just, equitable, in proportion to their time.

I will give you. And they went their way.

5. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour—about noon, and about three o'clock in the afternoon.

and did likewise—hiring and sending into his vineyard fresh laborers each time.

6. And about the eleventh hour—but one hour before the close of the working day; a most unusual hour both for offering and engaging

and found others standing idle, and saith, Why stand ye here all the day idle?—Of course they had not been there, or not been disposed to offer themselves at the proper time; but as they were now willing, and the day was not over, and "yet there was room," they also are engaged, and on similar terms with all the rest.

8. So when even was come—that is, the reckoning time between masters and laborers (see De 24:15); pointing to the day of final account.

the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward—answering to Christ Himself, represented "as a Son over His own house" (Heb 3:6; see Mt 11:27; Joh 3:35; 5:27).

Call the labourers and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first—Remarkable direction this—last hired, first paid.

9. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny—a full day's wages.

10. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more—This is that calculating, mercenary spirit which had peeped out—though perhaps very slightly—in Peter's question (Mt 19:27), and which this parable was designed once for all to put down among the servants of Christ.

11. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house—rather, "the householder," the word being the same as in Mt 20:1.

12. Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat—the burning heat.

of the day—who have wrought not only longer but during a more trying period of the day.

13. But he answered one of them—doubtless the spokesman of the complaining party.

and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? &c.

15. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?—that is, "You appeal to justice, and by that your mouth is shut; for the sum you agreed for is paid you. Your case being disposed of, with the terms I make with other laborers you have nothing to do; and to grudge the benevolence shown to others, when by your own admission you have been honorably dealt with, is both unworthy envy of your neighbor, and discontent with the goodness that engaged and rewarded you in his service at all."

16. So the last shall be first, and the first last—that is, "Take heed lest by indulging the spirit of these murmurers at the penny given to the last hired, ye miss your own penny, though first in the vineyard; while the consciousness of having come in so late may inspire these last with such a humble frame, and such admiration of the grace that has hired and rewarded them at all, as will put them into the foremost place in the end."

for many be called, but few chosen—This is another of our Lord's terse and pregnant sayings, more than once uttered in different connections. (See Mt 19:30; 22:14). The "calling" of which the New Testament almost invariably speaks is what divines call effectual calling, carrying with it a supernatural operation on the will to secure its consent. But that cannot be the meaning of it here; the "called" being emphatically distinguished from the "chosen." It can only mean here the "invited." And so the sense is, Many receive the invitations of the Gospel whom God has never "chosen to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth" (2Th 2:13). But what, it may be asked, has this to do with the subject of our parable? Probably this—to teach us that men who have wrought in Christ's service all their days may, by the spirit which they manifest at the last, make it too evident that, as between God and their own souls, they never were chosen workmen at all.

Mt 20:17-28. Third Explicit Announcement of His Approaching Sufferings, Death, and ResurrectionThe Ambitious Request of James and John, and the Reply. ( = Mr 10:32-45; Lu 18:31-34).

For the exposition, see on Mr 10:32-45.

Mt 20:29-34. Two Blind Men Healed. ( = Mr 10:46-52; Lu 18:35-43).

For the exposition, see on Lu 18:35-43.