Matthew 20:14

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now take your pay and go! I choose to give the last worker as much as I'm giving you.

Berean Standard Bible

Take your pay and go. I want to give this last man the same as I gave you.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 20:14 captures the landowner's firm yet gracious declaration in the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, asserting his sovereign right to dispense his generosity as he wills, irrespective of human expectations or perceived merit. This statement, directed at the disgruntled laborers who had worked longer, underscores the principle that God's grace is not bound by human notions of fairness but flows from His own abundant and unchallengeable will, treating all who respond to His call with equal, unmerited favor.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the landowner's direct response to the grumbling of the laborers hired first, who felt unjustly treated because those hired last received the same wage as they did, a denarius. The parable itself, found in [Matthew 20:1-16](/matthew/20-1-16 "Matthew 20:1-16 - The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard"), immediately follows Jesus' teaching on discipleship, sacrifice, and reward, particularly the challenging statement in [Matthew 19:30](/matthew/19-30 "Matthew 19:30 - The First Shall Be Last"): "But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." Matthew 20:14, along with the entire parable, serves as a vivid illustration and explanation of this paradoxical kingdom principle, emphasizing that God's economy of grace often subverts human expectations and merit-based systems. It highlights the divine prerogative in bestowing blessings and challenges the disciples' (and by extension, the readers') understanding of reward.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judea, the hiring of day laborers was a common practice, particularly in agricultural regions like vineyards. Workers would gather in the marketplace early in the morning, waiting for landowners to hire them for a day's work. A denarius was a standard daily wage for a laborer, sufficient to support a family. The practice of hiring at different hours (the third, sixth, ninth, and eleventh hours, corresponding to 9 AM, 12 PM, 3 PM, and 5 PM) would have been understood, but the expectation was that pay would be proportionate to work. The landowner's decision to pay all laborers the same wage, regardless of their hours worked, would have been highly unusual and, to the early laborers, seemingly unjust by human standards. This setting provides a relatable backdrop for Jesus to convey a profound spiritual truth about God's unconventional generosity and sovereignty.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 20:14 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Matthew and broader biblical theology. It powerfully illustrates **Divine Sovereignty and Generosity**, demonstrating that God, as the ultimate landowner, has absolute authority to dispense His blessings according to His own will, not according to human merit or expectation. The verse challenges a **Works-Based Mentality**, highlighting that salvation and divine favor are ultimately gifts of grace, not earned rewards for effort or duration of service, a concept echoed in passages like [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith"). It also serves as a strong **Warning Against Envy and Entitlement**, rebuking the human tendency to compare one's blessings with others and to resent God's goodness to those perceived as less deserving. Finally, the parable and this verse reinforce the theme that **God's Ways Are Higher** than human ways, as articulated in [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways Are Higher"), demonstrating that divine justice and generosity operate on a plane beyond human comprehension.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Take (Greek, _aírō'_):** This word (G142) means "to lift up; by implication, to take up or away." In this context, it is a direct command, almost a dismissal, for the complaining laborer to "take what is yours" and leave. It emphasizes the master's authority and the finality of his decision, implying that the laborer has no further claim or argument.
* **will give (Greek, _thélō didōmi'_):** This phrase combines G2309 (_thélō_), meaning "to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse); to wish, i.e. be inclined to," and G1325 (_dídōmi_), meaning "to give (used in a very wide application... greatly modified by the connection)." The combination highlights the master's deliberate and sovereign will in giving. It's not a reluctant concession but an intentional act of his own choosing, emphasizing his absolute right to be generous.
* **last (Greek, _éschatos'_):** This word (G2078) is a superlative meaning "farthest, final (of place or time)." In the parable, it refers to those hired at the eleventh hour, who worked for only a short time. Its use here underscores the master's radical generosity to those who, by human standards, contributed the least, thereby subverting conventional expectations of merit and reward.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Take [that] thine [is], and go thy way:"** This opening clause is a sharp, authoritative command from the landowner. "Thine [is]" refers to the agreed-upon wage of a denarius, which the laborer had indeed received. The phrase "go thy way" acts as a dismissal, indicating that the conversation is over and the laborer has no legitimate grounds for complaint, as the terms of their agreement have been fully met. It underscores the master's prerogative and the laborer's lack of further claim.
* **"I will give unto this last, even as unto thee."** This second clause reveals the core of the landowner's defense and the parable's central message. The landowner asserts his sovereign will ("I will give") to bestow the same generous wage upon "this last" (those hired at the eleventh hour) as he gave to the first. This statement highlights the landowner's unconstrained generosity and his right to exercise it, challenging the assumption that reward must be strictly proportional to effort or duration of service. It emphasizes grace over merit.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Direct Speech** is central, as these are the exact words spoken by the landowner, giving his response immediate and authoritative impact. The entire narrative is a **Parable**, a short allegorical story designed to teach a moral or spiritual lesson, with the landowner representing God and the laborers representing those who serve Him. There is a strong element of **Irony** in the complaint of the first laborers: they received what was justly due to them, yet they felt wronged by the master's generosity to others. The master's statement, therefore, serves as a powerful **Rebuke**, challenging their envious and entitled attitude. The **Metaphor** of the vineyard and its laborers serves as a profound illustration of the Kingdom of Heaven and God's dealings with humanity, particularly regarding grace and reward.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 20:14 profoundly illustrates the nature of God's grace and sovereignty. It teaches that God's generosity is not constrained by human concepts of fairness or merit, but flows from His inherent goodness and absolute prerogative. Unlike human employers who might be bound by strict proportionality, the divine "landowner" operates on a principle of unmerited favor. This challenges any notion of earning salvation or divine blessing through works, duration of service, or perceived righteousness. Instead, it underscores that all who enter God's "vineyard," whether early or late, are recipients of the same boundless grace, a truth that should evoke gratitude rather than envy. The verse thus serves as a powerful reminder that our standing before God is not based on what we deserve, but on His gracious will.

* [Romans 9:15-16](/romans/9-15-16 "Romans 9:15-16 - God's Sovereign Mercy")
* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace")
* [Luke 15:28-32](/luke/15-28-32 "Luke 15:28-32 - The Elder Brother's Envy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse calls us to a radical reorientation of our understanding of divine justice and generosity. In a world that often measures worth and reward by output and effort, the parable, and particularly the landowner's declaration, reminds us that God's economy operates differently. We are challenged to cultivate a heart of gratitude for the grace we have received, rather than comparing our blessings with those of others. Envy and entitlement are dangerous spiritual pitfalls, leading to resentment and a diminished appreciation for God's boundless love. Instead, we are invited to rejoice in God's goodness to all, recognizing that His grace is a gift, freely given, and not something we can earn or demand. This perspective fosters humility, encourages generosity towards others, and deepens our trust in God's perfect wisdom and love, even when His ways seem counter-intuitive to our human logic.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my understanding of "fairness" sometimes conflict with God's radical generosity?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to compare my blessings or efforts with others, leading to envy or resentment?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude for God's unmerited grace in my own life, regardless of what others receive?**
* **What does this verse teach me about trusting God's sovereignty, even when His actions don't align with my expectations?**

### FAQ

**Does this parable mean God's justice is unfair?**

Answer: No, the parable does not suggest God's justice is unfair; rather, it redefines our human understanding of divine justice. The landowner was entirely just to the first laborers, as he paid them the agreed-upon wage ([Matthew 20:2](/matthew/20-2 "Matthew 20:2 - The Agreed Wage")). His "injustice" was only perceived by them because he chose to be extraordinarily generous to others. The parable highlights that God's justice is not merely retributive (giving what is deserved) but also restorative and overflowing with grace (giving beyond what is deserved). It asserts God's sovereign right to be gracious and merciful to whomever He wills, a truth emphasized in [Romans 9:15](/romans/9-15 "Romans 9:15 - God's Mercy").

**How does this parable relate to salvation by grace?**

Answer: This parable is a powerful illustration of salvation by grace, not by works. The laborers hired at the eleventh hour received the full wage despite working only a fraction of the day, symbolizing that God's salvation is a gift, freely given, regardless of one's "labor" or "time of service" in life. It challenges the idea that one can earn God's favor through religious effort or a long history of good deeds. Just as the landowner's generosity was unmerited by the last laborers, so too is God's gift of salvation unmerited by anyone, as articulated in [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation is a Gift"). It underscores that all who come to Christ, whether early in life or at the very end, receive the same full measure of His saving grace.

**What is the significance of the "denarius" in this parable?**

Answer: The denarius was a common silver coin, representing a full day's wage for a laborer in the first century. Its significance in the parable is twofold: First, it establishes the baseline of the agreement and the "just" payment for a full day's work. Second, and more importantly, it represents the full and equal measure of the landowner's (God's) blessing or reward, which he chooses to give to all who are called into his service, regardless of how much "work" they put in. It symbolizes the fullness of God's grace and the complete inheritance of the Kingdom, which is equally available to all who respond to His call, irrespective of their perceived merit or duration of service.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 20:14, and the parable it concludes, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The landowner, who exercises radical generosity and sovereignty, is a clear type of God the Father, whose character is fully revealed in Christ. Jesus Himself is the one who extends the invitation to labor in His vineyard, calling people at various stages of life and spiritual maturity. The "denarius" — the full reward of salvation and eternal life — is not earned by human effort or length of service, but is freely bestowed through Christ's atoning sacrifice. It is by His grace alone that anyone, whether a lifelong believer or a deathbed convert, receives the full inheritance of the Kingdom. The "last" being treated "even as unto thee" points to the leveling effect of the cross, where all human distinctions of merit are obliterated, and salvation is offered to all who believe, regardless of their past. This radical grace, exemplified by the landowner, is the very heart of the Gospel, demonstrating that God's boundless love in Christ transcends all human notions of deserving, making the first and the last equally heirs through faith in Him ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - All Are One in Christ Jesus")). Christ's work ensures that the "last" are indeed made "first" in the economy of God's grace ([Matthew 19:30](/matthew/19-30 "Matthew 19:30 - The First Shall Be Last")), all through His perfect obedience and sacrifice ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 17:2

As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Luke 15:31

And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

Matthew 6:6

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Romans 3:4

God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

Romans 3:19

¶ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Ezekiel 29:18

Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyrus: every head [was] made bald, and every shoulder [was] peeled: yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyrus, for the service that he had served against it:

Ezekiel 29:20

I have given him the land of Egypt [for] his labour wherewith he served against it, because they wrought for me, saith the Lord GOD.