Matthew 20:8

KJV

So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them [their] hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

KJV (with Strong's)

So {G1161} when even {G3798} was come {G1096}, the lord {G2962} of the vineyard {G290} saith {G3004} unto his {G846} steward {G2012}, Call {G2564} the labourers {G2040}, and {G2532} give {G591} them {G846} their hire {G3408}, beginning {G756} from {G575} the last {G2078} unto {G2193} the first {G4413}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, `Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last ones hired and ending with the first.'

Berean Standard Bible

When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last ones hired and moving on to the first.’

American Standard Version

And when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and pay them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 20:8 marks a pivotal moment in the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, where the landowner instructs his steward to disburse wages. This command, specifically to pay "beginning from the last unto the first," immediately signals the parable's central theological tension and profound message. It sets the stage for a dramatic reversal of human expectations concerning merit and reward, powerfully illustrating God's sovereign generosity and the radical nature of grace within the Kingdom of Heaven.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, found in [Matthew 20:1-16](/matthew/20-1-16 "Matthew 20:1-16 - The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard"). Jesus tells this parable immediately following a crucial interaction with Peter about the rewards for those who have forsaken everything to follow Him. The parable serves as a direct illustration and expansion of Jesus' preceding declaration in [Matthew 19:30](/matthew/19-30 "Matthew 19:30 - The First Shall Be Last"), where He states, "But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." Matthew 20:8, by specifying the payment order, directly enacts this principle, preparing the audience for the subsequent grumbling of the early laborers and the landowner's defense of his unconventional generosity. It is a key narrative turning point that unveils the divine economy of grace.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Judea, it was customary for laborers to be hired daily, often gathering in the marketplace, and to receive their wages at the end of the workday, typically at sundown. A "denarius" (the implied "hire" or wage in this parable, as seen in [Matthew 20:2](/matthew/20-2 "Matthew 20:2 - The Agreement for a Denarius")) was a common daily wage for a laborer, sufficient to support a family for a day. The "lord of the vineyard" represents a wealthy landowner, a common figure in agricultural societies. His "steward" (Greek: _epítropos_) was an entrusted manager, responsible for overseeing the estate's affairs, including financial disbursements. The act of paying at "even" (sundown) was a standard and expected practice, aligning with Mosaic law that wages should not be withheld overnight ([Deuteronomy 24:15](/deuteronomy/24-15 "Deuteronomy 24:15 - Payment of Wages")). The landowner's specific instruction to pay "from the last unto the first" would have been culturally jarring, as it defied the natural human expectation of seniority and merit-based reward.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 20:8, by initiating the payment process, powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the parable and the broader Gospel of Matthew. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Generosity**, demonstrating that God, as the "lord of the vineyard," has absolute discretion over His own resources and how He chooses to dispense His blessings. His generosity extends beyond human notions of strict fairness or earned merit. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Grace Over Merit**. The payment structure reveals that salvation and spiritual blessings are not earned through human effort, duration of service, or perceived worthiness, but are freely given as gifts of God's unmerited favor. This challenges a works-based or merit-based understanding of divine reward, emphasizing that all who respond to God's call receive the full blessing. Finally, this verse literally embodies **The "First Shall Be Last" Principle**, a recurring motif in Jesus' teachings ([Matthew 19:30](/matthew/19-30 "Matthew 19:30 - The First Shall Be Last") and [Matthew 20:16](/matthew/20-16 "Matthew 20:16 - The Conclusion to the Parable")). By paying the last first, the landowner intentionally subverts the expected order, setting the stage for the early laborers' discontent and revealing that God's ways and values often transcend and even contradict human logic, particularly regarding humility and entitlement in the [Kingdom of Heaven](/matthew/13-24 "Matthew 13:24 - The Kingdom of Heaven").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** From a root suggesting supremacy, this term denotes one who is supreme in authority, a controller, or master. In this context, it refers to the owner of the vineyard, a figure who represents God. The use of _kýrios_ emphasizes the landowner's absolute right and authority to manage his affairs and distribute his resources as he sees fit, underscoring God's sovereign prerogative in the Kingdom.
* **steward (Greek, _epítropos'_):** Derived from a combination meaning "upon" and "way/manner" (in the sense of "commission"), this word describes a commissioner, a domestic manager, or a guardian. The steward is not the owner but is entrusted with the owner's affairs, including the crucial task of distributing wages. This highlights the delegated authority and the precise execution of the landowner's (God's) will.
* **last (Greek, _éschatos'_):** A superlative form meaning "farthest" or "final," referring to position in place or time. In this parable, it specifically refers to the laborers hired at the eleventh hour, those who worked for the shortest period. The instruction to begin payment with the _éschatos_ is the radical, counter-intuitive element of the verse, directly enacting the "first shall be last" principle and challenging conventional notions of fairness and merit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So when even was come":** This phrase establishes the traditional time for the payment of daily wages. "Even" (Greek: _ópsios_) refers to the late afternoon or nightfall, signifying the end of the workday. This detail grounds the parable in a common, relatable daily routine, making the subsequent deviation from expected practice all the more striking.
* **"the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward":** This identifies the two key figures in the transaction and the chain of command. The "lord of the vineyard" (the landowner, representing God) issues the directive, demonstrating his authority and sovereign will. The "steward" is the delegated agent, responsible for carrying out the landowner's instructions precisely.
* **"Call the labourers, and give them [their] hire":** This is the direct command for the payment process to begin. The "hire" (Greek: _misthós_) refers to the wages or pay for service, in this case, the agreed-upon denarius. This phrase confirms that the laborers are indeed to be compensated for their work, setting up the expectation of a standard, merit-based payment.
* **"beginning from the last unto the first":** This is the crucial, surprising, and theologically loaded instruction. It mandates a reversal of the natural order of payment, where one would typically expect the first-hired (who worked the longest) to be paid first. By commanding the payment to start with "the last" (those hired at the eleventh hour) and proceed "unto the first" (those hired early in the morning), the landowner deliberately subverts human expectations and sets the stage for the central lesson about God's grace and challenging human notions of justice.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that amplify its theological impact. The entire narrative is a **Parable**, a short, illustrative story used by Jesus to convey profound spiritual truths about the [Kingdom of God](/matthew/13-24 "Matthew 13:24 - Parable of the Weeds and the Kingdom of God"). Within this specific verse, **Symbolism** is paramount: the "lord of the vineyard" represents God, highlighting His absolute sovereignty and generosity; the "steward" symbolizes those entrusted with administering God's will; the "labourers" represent individuals called to serve God; and the "hire" symbolizes the blessings, salvation, or eternal life freely given by God. The instruction "beginning from the last unto the first" is a powerful instance of **Inversion** or **Reversal**, directly embodying the "first shall be last, and the last first" principle. This deliberate subversion of human expectation creates **Dramatic Irony** and **Foreshadowing**, as the audience anticipates the reaction of the early laborers and the ensuing theological discussion about God's unconventional justice and grace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 20:8 fundamentally challenges human conceptions of fairness and merit, revealing a divine economy governed by grace rather than strict human performance. The landowner's command to pay the last first is a profound theological statement about God's sovereign right to dispense His blessings as He wills, demonstrating His boundless generosity and unmerited favor. It teaches that salvation and entrance into the Kingdom are not earned by length of service or perceived worthiness, but are gifts freely bestowed upon all who respond to His call. This radical generosity often confounds human logic, which naturally leans towards a system of equitable reward based on effort. The verse sets the stage for understanding that God's grace is not diminished by the "latecomers" receiving the same blessing as the "early birds"; rather, it magnifies His goodness to all.

* [Matthew 19:30](/matthew/19-30 "Matthew 19:30 - The First Shall Be Last")
* [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")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 20:8 provides a crucial lens through which believers can examine their own attitudes toward service, reward, and God's dealings with others. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of humility, serving God out of love and devotion rather than an expectation of earning a specific level of reward or comparing our spiritual journey to others'. The parable's message, initiated by this verse, encourages us to trust in God's perfect justice and boundless generosity, even when His ways do not align with our limited human understanding of fairness. It serves as a powerful antidote to envy and self-righteousness, warning against grumbling when we witness God's blessings poured out on those who may seem less "deserving" by human standards. Ultimately, this verse invites us to rejoice in God's goodness to all, recognizing that His grace to others does not diminish His grace to us, but rather testifies to the vastness of His love and the radical nature of the Kingdom of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my understanding of "fairness" align or conflict with God's principle of grace as demonstrated in this verse?**
* **In what areas of my life or service do I find myself comparing my efforts or rewards to those of others?**
* **What does it mean to truly serve God without an expectation of earning a specific outcome or reward?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that rejoices in God's generosity to others, even when it seems to defy my sense of merit?**

### FAQ
**Why does the landowner pay the last laborers first?**

Answer: The landowner's instruction to pay "beginning from the last unto the first" is the central theological point of the parable, deliberately designed to challenge human notions of fairness and merit. It is not about the landowner being "unfair" but about demonstrating his sovereign generosity and the nature of grace in the [Kingdom of Heaven](/matthew/13-24 "Matthew 13:24 - The Kingdom of Heaven"). By paying those who worked only one hour the full day's wage first, he establishes that his generosity is a gift, not a strict recompense for labor. This act literally fulfills Jesus' statement that "the last shall be first, and the first last" ([Matthew 19:30](/matthew/19-30 "Matthew 19:30 - The First Shall Be Last")). It highlights that God's blessings, particularly salvation and eternal life, are not earned by human effort or length of service, but are freely given by His grace to all who respond to His call, regardless of when they come to Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 20:8, with its radical instruction to pay the last first, profoundly foreshadows and illuminates the nature of God's redemptive work in Jesus Christ. The "lord of the vineyard," who exercises sovereign discretion in his generosity, is ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who perfectly embodies God's unmerited favor. Jesus, as the Incarnate Son, came not to call the righteous, but sinners ([Matthew 9:13](/matthew/9-13 "Matthew 9:13 - Jesus Calls Sinners")), demonstrating that God's grace extends to those who are "last" in human estimation or who come to faith at the "eleventh hour." The "hire" or wage, a full denarius for all, symbolizes the gift of eternal life and full inclusion in God's covenant, which is freely offered through Christ's atoning sacrifice, irrespective of one's past works or perceived merit ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). Christ Himself, though "first" in divine preeminence, willingly became "last" by humbling Himself to the point of death on a cross, taking on the form of a servant ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility")), so that those who were truly last—sinful humanity—might be made first as co-heirs with Him. This verse, therefore, sets the stage for understanding the radical inclusivity of the New Covenant, where all who believe in Christ, whether Jew or Gentile, early convert or late, receive the same full measure of God's saving 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

Deuteronomy 24:15

At his day thou shalt give [him] his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he [is] poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee.

1 Peter 4:10

As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Luke 10:7

And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

Genesis 39:4

And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all [that] he had he put into his hand.

Genesis 39:6

And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was [a] goodly [person], and well favoured.

Matthew 13:39

The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

Matthew 13:40

As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.