Matthew 20:5

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

At noon, and again around three in the afternoon, he did the same thing.

Berean Standard Bible

So they went. He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 20:5 is a pivotal verse within the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, continuing the narrative of a landowner who repeatedly seeks and hires workers throughout the day. This concise statement highlights the landowner's persistent initiative and the staggered entry of various groups of laborers into his vineyard, setting the stage for the parable's profound revelation about God's unconventional grace and sovereign generosity in the Kingdom of Heaven.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, which begins in [Matthew 20:1](/matthew/20-1 "Matthew 20:1 - The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard Begins") and concludes in [Matthew 20:16](/matthew/20-16 "Matthew 20:16 - The Parable's Concluding Principle"). The parable immediately follows Jesus' teaching on discipleship and rewards in [Matthew 19:27-30](/matthew/19-27-30 "Matthew 19:27-30 - Rewards for Following Jesus"), particularly the challenging statement, "But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." Matthew 20:5 specifically details the landowner's continued hiring after the initial group was engaged at the "first hour" ([Matthew 20:1-2](/matthew/20-1-2 "Matthew 20:1-2 - Initial Hiring")). The repetition of the landowner's "going out" underscores his active role in gathering workers, leading to the surprising remuneration that provokes the "grumbling" of the first laborers later in the narrative ([Matthew 20:11](/matthew/20-11 "Matthew 20:11 - The Grumbling of the Early Laborers")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting of the parable reflects common agricultural practices and social realities in first-century Judea. Day laborers, often among the poorest, would gather in the marketplace early in the morning, hoping to be hired for a day's work. A denarius was a typical daily wage for a laborer, sufficient to support a family. Jewish timekeeping, referenced by the "sixth hour" and "ninth hour," began at sunrise (around 6 AM). Thus, the sixth hour was midday (12 PM), and the ninth hour was mid-afternoon (3 PM). The fact that laborers were still available at these late hours suggests a desperate need for work, as those who were not hired early faced the prospect of their families going hungry. The landowner's willingness to hire at such late hours, even for a full day's wage (as implied by "did likewise" and the subsequent payment), would have been an act of extraordinary generosity, challenging conventional economic expectations.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 20:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the parable and the Gospel of Matthew. It highlights the **Divine Initiative and Generosity** of God, depicted by the landowner who actively seeks out laborers at various stages of the day, demonstrating a proactive and abundant grace that transcends human notions of strict merit. This verse also subtly introduces the theme of **God's Sovereignty in Grace**, preparing the listener for the landowner's right to dispense his blessings as he sees fit, not strictly according to human performance or duration of service, a concept further elaborated in [Matthew 20:15](/matthew/20-15 "Matthew 20:15 - The Landowner's Prerogative"). Furthermore, the parable, including this verse, serves as a rich illustration of the nature of the **Kingdom of Heaven**, a central concept in Jesus' teaching throughout Matthew, as seen in parables like [Matthew 13](/matthew/13 "Matthew 13 - Parables of the Kingdom"). It suggests that entry into and reward within the Kingdom are not strictly based on the length or intensity of one's labor, but on the unmerited favor of the King.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Again (Greek, _pálin'_):** This adverb signifies repetition, emphasizing that the landowner's action of "going out" to hire was not a one-time event but a recurring pattern throughout the day. It highlights his persistent and active search for workers, underscoring his initiative and the continuous extension of his invitation.
* **went out (Greek, _exérchomai'_):** Derived from "ek" (out of) and "erchomai" (to come/go), this verb literally means "to issue forth." In this context, it vividly portrays the landowner's proactive engagement. He doesn't wait for workers to come to him; he actively seeks them out, demonstrating a zealous and compassionate pursuit of those in need of employment, mirroring God's active call to humanity.
* **likewise (Greek, _hōsaútōs'_):** This adverb, meaning "in the same way" or "even so," is crucial for understanding the terms of employment for the later groups. It implies that the landowner extended the same, or at least a comparable, offer to these workers as he had to the first group, who were promised a denarius. This sets up the dramatic reveal at the end of the day, where all receive the same wage, regardless of their hours worked, a key element of the parable's teaching on grace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour,"**: This clause reveals the continued, active initiative of the landowner. The "sixth hour" (noon) and "ninth hour" (3 PM) mark significant points in the working day when laborers would typically be losing hope of finding work. The landowner's repeated "going out" at these late stages demonstrates his exceptional diligence and perhaps his compassion for those still idle in the marketplace, highlighting a divine pattern of seeking and calling.
* **"and did likewise."**: This concise phrase is pregnant with meaning. It indicates that the landowner's actions and implied terms for these later hires were consistent with his initial engagement of the first group. While no specific wage is stated for these later groups, the "likewise" suggests an implicit understanding of fair compensation, which, as the parable unfolds, turns out to be a full day's wage for all, regardless of hours worked. This consistency in the landowner's approach, despite varying hours of labor, is central to the parable's message about God's unmerited grace.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices. **Repetition** is evident in the word "Again" (pálin) and the implied repetition of the landowner's action of "going out" and "doing likewise." This repetition emphasizes the landowner's persistent and continuous effort to gather workers, underscoring the expansive and ongoing nature of God's call to salvation. **Symbolism** is also at play, as the landowner represents God, and the vineyard symbolizes the Kingdom of Heaven or the sphere of God's service. The "hours" symbolize different stages of life or points in time when individuals respond to God's call. Furthermore, the phrase "did likewise" serves as a subtle form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the surprising and seemingly "unfair" (from a human perspective) payment that will be made at the end of the day, which becomes the central point of tension and teaching in the parable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 20:5, within the broader parable, fundamentally challenges human notions of merit-based reward and highlights the boundless nature of God's grace. It underscores that God's Kingdom operates not on a system of earned wages or strict proportionality to human effort, but on the sovereign generosity of the King. The landowner's repeated initiative, even for those who worked only a short time, illustrates God's unceasing call to salvation and service, extended to all, regardless of when they come to faith. This divine generosity is a core attribute of God, who delights in giving freely, not because of what we deserve, but because of His own good pleasure and abundant mercy. This perspective reshapes our understanding of salvation from a transaction of works to a gift of grace, fostering humility and gratitude rather than entitlement.

* [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 Through Faith")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 20:5, embedded within the parable, offers profound encouragement and a vital challenge for believers today. It reassures those who come to faith in Christ later in life or serve for a shorter duration that their salvation and place in God's Kingdom are just as secure and valuable as those who served from childhood or for many years. God's grace is not diminished by the timing of one's acceptance of His call or the length of one's service; it is a full and complete gift. Simultaneously, the parable, through the reaction of the early laborers, serves as a powerful warning against envy, comparison, and a sense of entitlement in our service to God. Our motivation for serving should spring from overflowing gratitude for God's unmerited favor, not from a desire to earn or to compare ourselves to others. The ultimate takeaway is a call to trust in God's sovereign goodness and to rejoice in His grace, which is freely given to all who answer His call, regardless of the hour.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the landowner's repeated "going out" at different hours challenge my assumptions about God's call and timing in people's lives?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to compare my service or spiritual journey with others, and how does this parable encourage me to resist such comparisons?**
* **How does the concept of God's "likewise" generosity, extending the same grace to all, deepen my appreciation for His unmerited favor in my own life?**

### FAQ
**What do the "sixth hour" and "ninth hour" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: In ancient Jewish timekeeping, the day was divided into twelve hours, beginning at sunrise. Therefore, the "sixth hour" corresponds to midday, or 12 PM, and the "ninth hour" corresponds to mid-afternoon, or 3 PM. These specific times emphasize that the landowner continued to hire workers throughout the entire day, even as the working hours dwindled, highlighting his persistent and generous initiative in seeking laborers for his vineyard.

**What is the significance of the phrase "did likewise"?**

Answer: The phrase "did likewise" (Greek: _hōsaútōs_) is highly significant because it implies that the landowner extended the same, or at least a comparable, offer to the workers hired at the sixth and ninth hours as he had to the first group hired at the "first hour" ([Matthew 20:1-2](/matthew/20-1-2 "Matthew 20:1-2 - Initial Hiring")). While the first group had an agreed wage of a denarius, "did likewise" suggests that the landowner intended to treat all subsequent groups with similar generosity. This sets the stage for the surprising payment at the end of the day, where all laborers, regardless of their hours worked, receive the same full day's wage, a central point of the parable's teaching on God's unmerited grace and sovereignty.

**Does this verse suggest that God's grace is "unfair" to those who serve Him longer?**

Answer: This verse, within the context of the full parable, challenges human notions of "fairness" based on merit or duration of service. It does not suggest God is unfair, but rather that His generosity operates on a different principle than human economics. The parable teaches that salvation and the blessings of the Kingdom are a gift of God's sovereign grace, not something earned by works or length of labor. The landowner's right to do as he pleases with his own money ([Matthew 20:15](/matthew/20-15 "Matthew 20:15 - The Landowner's Prerogative")) illustrates God's absolute sovereignty in dispensing His favor. The focus shifts from what laborers *deserve* to the boundless *generosity* of the landowner, inviting all to rejoice in the gift, rather than grumble over perceived inequalities.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 20:5, as part of the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, powerfully foreshadows and illuminates the nature of God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ. The landowner's persistent "going out" to hire laborers at various hours beautifully illustrates Christ's ongoing call to salvation, extended to all people, regardless of their age or the stage of life at which they respond. Just as the landowner actively sought out those standing idle, so Christ, the Good Shepherd, actively seeks and gathers His sheep ([John 10:16](/john/10-16 "John 10:16 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")). The "likewise" treatment of all laborers, receiving the same full wage, profoundly points to the radical equality of grace found in Christ. Our salvation is not earned by the length or intensity of our labor, but is a free gift, fully secured by the finished work of Christ on the cross ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). Whether one comes to faith early in life or at the "eleventh hour" like the thief on the cross ([Luke 23:42-43](/luke/23-42-43 "Luke 23:42-43 - The Thief on the Cross")), the full benefit of Christ's atoning sacrifice and the promise of eternal life are equally bestowed. This parable, therefore, underscores that the Kingdom of Heaven, inaugurated by Christ, operates on the principle of divine generosity and unmerited favor, inviting all to partake in the abundant life He offers, not based on their performance, but on His perfect righteousness and grace ([Romans 5:17](/romans/5-17 "Romans 5:17 - Reigning in Life Through Grace")).

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

Hebrews 11:24

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

Hebrews 11:26

Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

Joshua 24:2

And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, [even] Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.

Joshua 24:3

And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.

Genesis 12:1

¶ Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Genesis 12:4

¶ So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram [was] seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

Luke 23:44

¶ And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.