Matthew 20:4

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and said to them, `You go to the vineyard too -- I'll pay you a fair wage.' So they went.

Berean Standard Bible

‘You also go into my vineyard,’ he said, ‘and I will pay you whatever is right.’

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 20:4, nestled within the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, captures the vineyard owner's open invitation to additional workers and their immediate, trusting response. This verse is pivotal in establishing the parable's core tension between human expectations of merit-based compensation and God's sovereign, grace-filled generosity, setting the stage for a radical redefinition of divine justice and reward in the Kingdom of Heaven.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 20:4 is an integral part of the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, found in its entirety in [Matthew 20:1-16](/matthew/20-1-16 "Matthew 20:1-16 - The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard"). This parable immediately follows a crucial exchange between Jesus and Peter, where Peter asks about the disciples' reward for leaving everything to follow Jesus ([Matthew 19:27](/matthew/19-27 "Matthew 19:27 - Peter's Question About Rewards")). Jesus' preceding teaching about the difficulty for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven ([Matthew 19:23-26](/matthew/19-23-26 "Matthew 19:23-26 - The Rich Young Ruler")) further sets the stage, emphasizing that human effort and status are insufficient for salvation. The parable, therefore, serves as a divine commentary on the nature of reward and grace, challenging the disciples' (and our) assumptions about fairness and merit within God's economy. Specifically, Matthew 20:4 describes the owner's second call to laborers, who are offered an unspecified but "right" wage, highlighting their trust and prompt obedience that contrasts with the initial agreement made with the first group ([Matthew 20:2](/matthew/20-2 "Matthew 20:2 - The Agreement with the First Laborers")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In 1st-century Judea, daily wage labor was common, particularly in agricultural settings like vineyards. Laborers would gather in the marketplace early in the morning, hoping to be hired for the day. A denarius was a typical daily wage for a laborer, sufficient to support a family for one day. The owner's repeated trips to the marketplace throughout the day (at the third, sixth, ninth, and eleventh hours, as described in [Matthew 20:3-7](/matthew/20-3-7 "Matthew 20:3-7 - The Owner Hires More Laborers")) were unusual, demonstrating extraordinary compassion and a desire to provide work for as many as possible, even those who might otherwise go hungry. The expectation would have been that those who worked longer would receive more, and the owner's promise of "whatsoever is right" would typically imply a fair, proportional wage. This cultural backdrop is essential for understanding the shock and indignation of the early laborers when all received the same payment at the end of the day ([Matthew 20:9-10](/matthew/20-9-10 "Matthew 20:9-10 - All Laborers Receive the Same Payment")), as it directly challenged the prevailing social and economic norms of justice.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 20:4 contributes significantly to several key themes within the parable and the broader Gospel of Matthew. Firstly, it underscores **God's continuous and inclusive call to service**. The owner's repeated trips to the marketplace symbolize God's ongoing invitation to individuals at various stages of life and spiritual maturity to enter His "vineyard"—a common metaphor for the Kingdom of God or the sphere of Christian service. Secondly, the phrase "whatsoever is right I will give you" introduces the theme of **God's sovereign generosity and grace**, which transcends human notions of merit. Unlike the first group who negotiated a specific wage, these later laborers trust the owner's character, highlighting that God's justice is not merely about strict equivalence but about His boundless goodness and unmerited favor. This sets the stage for the parable's climactic revelation that "the last shall be first, and the first last" ([Matthew 20:16](/matthew/20-16 "Matthew 20:16 - The Parable's Concluding Statement")), emphasizing that salvation and rewards are ultimately gifts of grace, not earned entitlements.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **right (Greek, _díkaios'_):** This word (G1342) from _díkē_ signifies that which is equitable in character or act, implying innocence, holiness, or justice. In the context of Matthew 20:4, the owner's promise to give "whatsoever is right" means the payment will be in accordance with his own standard of justice. As the parable unfolds, this standard is revealed to be rooted in his sovereign generosity and grace, rather than a strict, human-defined system of earned wages or proportional compensation. It challenges the conventional understanding of "right" by aligning it with divine prerogative and benevolence.
* **give (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** This verb (G1325) is a prolonged form of a primary verb meaning "to give" in a very wide application, whether properly or by implication, literally or figuratively. It encompasses actions like bestowing, delivering, granting, or offering. Here, it highlights the owner's active role in dispensing the payment. The promise "I will give you" emphasizes that the payment is a direct act of the owner's will and generosity, not something the laborers inherently earn or are strictly owed based on their hours worked. It underscores the gratuity of the impending reward.
* **vineyard (Greek, _ampelṓn'_):** Derived from _ámpelos_ (vine), this noun (G290) literally means "a vineyard." In biblical literature, the vineyard is a rich **symbol** for the people of Israel, God's chosen nation, or more broadly, the Kingdom of God and the sphere of divine service. In this parable, entering the vineyard signifies responding to God's call to participate in His work, whether in evangelism, discipleship, or any form of service within His Kingdom. The image of the vineyard grounds the spiritual lesson in a tangible, agricultural setting familiar to Jesus' audience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard,"**: This clause depicts the vineyard owner's direct and authoritative invitation to the unemployed laborers. The inclusion of "also" (from G2532 _kaí_) emphasizes that these laborers are being invited in addition to those already working, highlighting the owner's continuous need for workers and his expansive generosity in providing employment. The command "Go ye... into the vineyard" is a clear call to action, symbolizing the divine invitation to participate in God's work or enter His Kingdom.
* **"and whatsoever is right I will give you."**: This is the core promise of the verse, establishing the terms of employment for this group of laborers. Unlike the first group who agreed to a specific wage (a denarius), these laborers are asked to trust the owner's discretion. The phrase "whatsoever is right" (G3739 _hós_ G1437 _eán_ G5600 _ō_ G1342 _díkaios_) implies that the payment will be just and equitable according to the owner's own standard, which, as the parable reveals, is rooted in his sovereign grace and generosity rather than strict proportionality. It invites a radical trust in the owner's character.
* **"And they went their way."**: This simple yet profound clause highlights the laborers' immediate and unquestioning obedience. Without negotiating or demanding a specific wage, they respond to the owner's call based on their trust in his promise of "whatsoever is right." This demonstrates a spirit of faith and willingness to serve, mirroring the kind of prompt submission Jesus often sought from His followers. Their action sets them apart from the later grumbling of the first laborers, emphasizing the virtue of trusting God's provision.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Matthew 20:4, and indeed the entire passage, is **Parable**. Jesus uses this extended metaphor of a vineyard owner and his laborers to convey profound spiritual truths about the Kingdom of God. Within this parable, **Symbolism** is heavily employed: the "vineyard" symbolizes the Kingdom of God or the sphere of divine service, the "owner" represents God Himself, and the "laborers" represent those called to serve Him at different stages of their lives or spiritual journeys. The phrase "whatsoever is right I will give you" introduces a subtle **Irony** or **Paradox**, as the human expectation of "right" (proportional payment) is ultimately subverted by the divine standard of "right" (unmerited grace), which is revealed at the end of the day. This creates a narrative tension that challenges the audience's preconceived notions of justice and reward.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 20:4 profoundly illustrates God's boundless grace and sovereign prerogative in His dealings with humanity. The owner's willingness to hire laborers at various hours, offering an unspecified but "right" wage, underscores that God's call to service is open to all, regardless of when they respond or how much "time" they have served. It challenges the human tendency to quantify spiritual merit and emphasizes that our ultimate reward in God's Kingdom is not a result of our earned efforts but a gracious gift from a generous God. This verse sets the stage for the parable's shocking conclusion, where all receive the same payment, revealing that God's justice is not merely about strict equivalence but about His abundant goodness and unmerited favor, often defying human expectations of fairness. It teaches us to trust in God's character and generosity, rather than relying on our own perceived worthiness or comparing ourselves to others.

* [Romans 9:15-16](/romans/9-15-16 "God's Sovereign Mercy")
* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Salvation by Grace Through Faith")
* [1 Corinthians 3:8](/1_corinthians/3-8 "God Gives the Increase")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 20:4 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today to respond to God's call to service with immediate obedience and unwavering trust, regardless of when that call comes or what our human expectations might be. It encourages us to lay aside comparisons with others who may have served longer or appear to have achieved more, recognizing that our ultimate reward comes from God's hand, not from a human system of merit. This verse frees us from the burden of striving for external recognition or a specific "wage" and instead invites us into a deeper relationship of faith where we trust God's character to always do what is "right" and good for us. It challenges us to serve out of love and gratitude, knowing that God's generosity far surpasses our ability to earn or deserve. Our focus should be on faithfully entering the "vineyard" when called, serving diligently, and leaving the outcome and reward entirely to our gracious and sovereign God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "vineyard" is God calling me to serve today, and how am I responding to that call?**
* **Do I trust God's promise to give me "whatsoever is right," even when His ways might defy my human expectations of fairness or reward?**
* **How does comparing my service or spiritual journey to others hinder my joy and obedience in God's Kingdom?**
* **What does "right" mean to me, and how does God's definition of "right" (as revealed in this parable) challenge or expand my understanding?**

### FAQ
**Does this parable mean everyone gets the same reward in heaven, regardless of how much they serve?**

Answer: Not necessarily. The primary point of the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard is not to establish a strict system of heavenly rewards, but to highlight the surprising nature of God's grace and sovereignty. The "payment" (a denarius) symbolizes salvation and entrance into the Kingdom of God, which is a gift of grace, not something earned by works or duration of service. While all who enter the Kingdom receive this ultimate gift, other passages suggest that there are varying levels of reward or responsibility in heaven based on faithfulness and stewardship ([1 Corinthians 3:12-15](/1_corinthians/3-12-15 "Testing of Works") or [Luke 19:11-27](/luke/19-11-27 "Parable of the Minas")). Matthew 20:4 and the parable as a whole primarily emphasize that God's generosity and justice operate on a divine scale that often confounds human expectations, ensuring that no one who responds to His call is left unrewarded, and that His grace is sufficient for all.

**What does the "vineyard" symbolize in this parable?**

Answer: In biblical literature, the "vineyard" is a rich and multifaceted symbol. In the Old Testament, it often represents Israel, God's chosen people ([Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "The Song of the Vineyard")). In the New Testament parables, particularly in the Gospels, the "vineyard" often symbolizes the Kingdom of God or the sphere of God's work in the world. When the owner in Matthew 20:4 invites laborers into the vineyard, it represents God's call to individuals to participate in His divine purposes, whether through evangelism, discipleship, serving the church, or any faithful act of obedience that contributes to the advancement of His Kingdom. It signifies the place where God's people are called to labor for His glory.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 20:4, with its emphasis on the owner's generous call and the laborers' trusting obedience, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the divine owner who continually goes out to call laborers into His Father's vineyard, the Kingdom of God. His invitation is not based on human merit or prior service, but on His boundless grace, extending to "whosoever will" ([Revelation 22:17](/revelation/22-17 "The Invitation of the Spirit and the Bride")). The promise "whatsoever is right I will give you" is perfectly embodied in Christ, who, though innocent, became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "Christ Our Righteousness")). His "right" payment was not a wage earned by us, but the gift of eternal life, freely given through His atoning sacrifice on the cross ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "The Wages of Sin and the Gift of God")). The laborers' immediate response, "And they went their way," foreshadows the radical obedience Jesus calls for from His disciples, who are to leave everything and follow Him ([Matthew 4:19-22](/matthew/4-19-22 "The Call of the First Disciples")). Thus, Matthew 20:4 points to Christ as the source of the divine call, the embodiment of divine justice and generosity, and the ultimate reward for all who trustingly enter His service.

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

1 Timothy 1:12

¶ And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

1 Timothy 1:13

Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did [it] ignorantly in unbelief.

1 Corinthians 6:11

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Matthew 9:9

¶ And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

1 Peter 4:2

That he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

1 Peter 4:3

For the time past of [our] life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

Titus 3:8

[This is] a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.