Matthew 20:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then, on going out at about nine in the morning, he saw more men standing around in the market-square doing nothing,

Berean Standard Bible:

About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

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},

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Matthew 20:3

Matthew 20:3 is part of the parable of the workers in the vineyard, which is unique to Matthew's Gospel. This parable is set within the historical context of Palestine during the Roman period, where day laborers were common. These laborers would gather in marketplaces at various times of the day, hoping to be hired for work. The verse reflects the economic conditions of the time, where work was often scarce and many people were in need of daily employment to support themselves and their families.

In the parable, the householder goes out at the third hour (around 9 a.m.) and finds men standing idle, indicating that they have not yet been hired for the day's work. The theme highlighted here is one of provision and the householder's compassion, as he hires these men, agreeing to pay them a denarius for their day's work. This act of hiring workers later in the day underscores the themes of God's grace and generosity, as well as the idea that those who are in need are cared for, regardless of the timing of their need.

The parable as a whole addresses issues of fairness and the kingdom of heaven's economy, where rewards are given not merely based on the amount of work done but also on the goodness and generosity of the employer, which in the broader context of Jesus' teaching, is meant to reflect the nature of God. It challenges the listeners then and now to reconsider their notions of fairness, merit, and divine generosity, inviting them to see God's grace as abundant and available to all, regardless of when one begins to labor in God's service.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. 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.
   
3. Strong's Number: G4012
   There are 304 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: περί
   Transliteration: perí
   Pronunciation: per-ee'
   Description: from the base of πέραν; properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period):--(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with. In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).
   
4. Strong's Number: G5154
   There are 49 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τρίτος
   Transliteration: trítos
   Pronunciation: tree'-tos
   Description: ordinal from τρεῖς; third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly:--third(-ly).
   
5. Strong's Number: G5610
   There are 100 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὥρα
   Transliteration: hṓra
   Pronunciation: ho'-rah
   Description: apparently a primary word; an "hour" (literally or figuratively):--day, hour, instant, season, X short, (even-)tide, (high) time.
   
6. Strong's Number: G1492
   There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἴδω
   Transliteration: eídō
   Pronunciation: i'-do
   Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
   
7. Strong's Number: G243
   There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἄλλος
   Transliteration: állos
   Pronunciation: al'-los
   Description: a primary word; "else," i.e. different (in many applications):--more, one (another), (an-, some an-)other(-s, -wise).
   
8. Strong's Number: G2476
   There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἵστημι
   Transliteration: hístēmi
   Pronunciation: stah'-o
   Description: a prolonged form of a primary (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively):--abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up). Compare τίθημι.
   
9. Strong's Number: G692
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀργός
   Transliteration: argós
   Pronunciation: ar-gos'
   Description: from Α (as a negative particle) and ἔργον; inactive, i.e. unemployed; (by implication) lazy, useless:--barren, idle, slow.
   
10. Strong's Number: G1722
    There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐν
    Transliteration: en
    Pronunciation: en
    Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
    
11. Strong's Number: G58
    There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀγορά
    Transliteration: agorá
    Pronunciation: ag-or-ah'
    Description: from (to gather; probably akin to ἐγείρω); properly, the town-square (as a place of public resort); by implication, a market or thoroughfare:--market(-place), street.