Matthew 20:7

They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, [that] shall ye receive.

They say {G3004} unto him {G846}, Because {G3754} no man {G3762} hath hired {G3409} us {G2248}. He saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, Go {G5217} ye {G5210} also {G2532} into {G1519} the vineyard {G290}; and {G2532} whatsoever {G3739}{G1437} is {G5600} right {G1342}, that shall ye receive {G2983}.

They said to him, `Because no one hired us.' `You too,' he told them, `go to the vineyard.'

‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. So he told them, ‘You also go into my vineyard.’

They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard.

Matthew 20:7 is a pivotal moment within the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, a profound teaching by Jesus Christ. This verse captures the interaction between the landowner and those laborers who had been standing idle all day, waiting for an opportunity to work.

Context

This verse is part of a parable told by Jesus to illustrate principles of the Kingdom of Heaven. The landowner represents God, and the vineyard symbolizes His service or the Kingdom. Workers are hired at various times throughout the day—early morning, third hour, sixth hour, ninth hour, and finally, the eleventh hour (around 5 PM, with sunset at 6 PM). The men in verse 7 are the last group, found standing idle in the marketplace. Their response, "Because no man hath hired us," signifies their genuine lack of opportunity, not unwillingness to work. The landowner's instruction, "Go ye also into the vineyard," extends the call to labor even at the very end of the day, promising a just wage.

Key Themes

  • Divine Generosity and Grace: The core message is not about equal pay for unequal work in a human sense, but about the unparalleled generosity and unmerited favor of God's grace. He gives not based on human merit or duration of service, but according to His sovereign will and goodness.
  • The Call to Service: Even those who feel they have missed their chance or started late in life are still called to enter into God's service. The "eleventh hour" represents a late but still valid opportunity for repentance and dedication to God.
  • Trust in God's Justice: The phrase "whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive" assures the workers that the landowner's judgment will be just and equitable. This "right" (Greek: dikaion) refers to what is truly just from God's perspective, which often transcends human expectations of fairness based on strict merit. It implies a promise of abundant provision based on divine generosity.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "no man hath hired us" (οὐδεὶς ἡμᾶς ἐμισθώσατο - oudeis hēmas emisthōsato) highlights their helplessness and dependence. They were not lazy; they simply lacked an employer. This underscores the initiative of the landowner (God) in extending the call. The landowner's promise, "whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive," uses the Greek word dikaion (δίκαιον), meaning "just," "righteous," or "equitable." In this context, it signifies that the landowner's decision, though surprising to some, would be fundamentally just and aligned with his own generous character, rather than a strict calculation of hours worked. This prepares the listener for the surprising equal payment at the end of the day, as detailed in Matthew 20:8-10.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound encouragement and a challenge for believers today:

  • Never Too Late: For those who come to faith later in life or feel they haven't contributed much, this parable emphasizes that God's call and reward are not limited by age or past inactivity. There is always an opportunity to respond to the call to "Go ye also into the vineyard."
  • Focus on Obedience, Not Comparison: It encourages us to focus on our own obedience to God's call rather than comparing our service or perceived reward with others. God's generosity ensures that all who respond faithfully will receive what is "right" from His hand.
  • Understanding God's Nature: It deepens our understanding of God as a benevolent and sovereign Lord who delights in showing mercy and grace, even to those who might be considered least deserving by human standards. This should inspire gratitude and humility in our service to Him.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Hebrews 6:10

    For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

  • Ephesians 2:11

    ¶ Wherefore remember, that ye [being] in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

  • Ephesians 2:12

    That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

  • Ephesians 3:5

    Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

  • Ephesians 3:6

    That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

  • Ecclesiastes 9:10

    Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

  • Matthew 22:9

    Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
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