King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ 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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who went out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard.
Berean Standard Bible:
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.
American Standard Version:
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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
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}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Matthew 13:24
- ¶ Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Matthew 13:47
- Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
Song of Solomon 8:11
- Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand [pieces] of silver.
Song of Solomon 8:12
- My vineyard, which [is] mine, [is] before me: thou, O Solomon, [must have] a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.
Matthew 13:44
- ¶ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Matthew 13:45
- Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
John 15:1
- ¶ I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Matthew 20:1
Matthew 20:1 serves as the opening verse of the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, a passage unique to the Gospel of Matthew. This verse introduces a narrative that Jesus uses to illustrate a spiritual truth about the Kingdom of Heaven. The historical context of this verse is set within Jesus's ministry in Galilee, where he often taught using parables to convey complex theological ideas to his audience, which would have been familiar with agricultural practices.
In this verse, Jesus likens the Kingdom of Heaven to an estate owner, or "householder," who goes out to hire day laborers for his vineyard. The householder's action of hiring workers early in the morning reflects the common practice of the time, where laborers would gather in marketplaces to be hired for daily work. The reference to hiring laborers would resonate with Jesus's listeners, as many of them may have been day laborers or familiar with the custom.
The themes presented in this verse include God's generosity, the nature of divine calling, and the equality of treatment by God regardless of the timing of one's service. The householder's repeated trips to hire more workers throughout the day, even up to the eleventh hour, suggests that God's invitation to participate in the Kingdom is extended to all, regardless of when they come to faith or begin their service to Him. The parable challenges the listener to reconsider conventional human notions of fairness and reward, emphasizing that salvation is an act of grace rather than something earned by human effort or timing.
In summary, Matthew 20:1 begins a parable that uses the familiar setting of a landowner hiring day laborers to teach about the inclusive and gracious nature of the Kingdom of Heaven, where God's generosity extends beyond human expectations and standards of fairness.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G1063
There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γάρ
Transliteration: gár
Pronunciation: gar
Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet. - Strong's Number: G932
There are 154 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: βασιλεία
Transliteration: basileía
Pronunciation: bas-il-i'-ah
Description: from βασιλεύς; properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively):--kingdom, + reign. - Strong's Number: G3772
There are 264 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐρανός
Transliteration: ouranós
Pronunciation: oo-ran-os'
Description: perhaps from the same as ὄρος (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity):--air, heaven(-ly), sky. - Strong's Number: G2076
There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐστί
Transliteration: estí
Pronunciation: es-tee'
Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle. - Strong's Number: G3664
There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅμοιος
Transliteration: hómoios
Pronunciation: hom'-oy-os
Description: from the base of ὁμοῦ; similar (in appearance or character):--like, + manner. - Strong's Number: G444
There are 614 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἄνθρωπος
Transliteration: ánthrōpos
Pronunciation: anth'-ro-pos
Description: from ἀνήρ and (the countenance; from ὀπτάνομαι); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man. - Strong's Number: G3617
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οἰκοδεσπότης
Transliteration: oikodespótēs
Pronunciation: oy-kod-es-pot'-ace
Description: from οἶκος and δεσπότης; the head of a family:--goodman (of the house), householder, master of the house. - Strong's Number: G3748
There are 148 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅστις
Transliteration: hóstis
Pronunciation: hot'-ee
Description: from ὅς and τὶς; which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same:--X and (they), (such) as, (they) that, in that they, what(-soever), whereas ye, (they) which, who(-soever). Compare ὅτι. - Strong's Number: G1831
There are 216 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐξέρχομαι
Transliteration: exérchomai
Pronunciation: ex-er'-khom-ahee
Description: from ἐκ and ἔρχομαι; to issue (literally or figuratively):--come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad. - Strong's Number: G260
There are 63 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἅμα
Transliteration: háma
Pronunciation: ham'-ah
Description: a primary particle; properly, at the "same" time, but freely used as a preposition or adverb denoting close association:--also, and, together, with(-al). - Strong's Number: G4404
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πρωΐ
Transliteration: prōḯ
Pronunciation: pro-ee'
Description: adverb from πρό; at dawn; by implication, the day-break watch:--early (in the morning), (in the) morning. - Strong's Number: G3409
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μισθόω
Transliteration: misthóō
Pronunciation: mis-tho'-o
Description: from μισθός; to let out for wages, i.e. (middle voice) to hire:--hire. - Strong's Number: G2040
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐργάτης
Transliteration: ergátēs
Pronunciation: er-gat'-ace
Description: from ἔργον; a toiler; figuratively, a teacher:--labourer, worker(-men). - Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G290
There are 122 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀμπελών
Transliteration: ampelṓn
Pronunciation: am-pel-ohn'
Description: from ἄμπελος; a vineyard:--vineyard.