Matthew 20:9

KJV

And when they came that [were hired] about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when they came {G2064} that were hired about {G4012} the eleventh {G1734} hour {G5610}, they received {G2983} every man {G303} a penny {G1220}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The workers who came an hour before sunset each received a denarius,

Berean Standard Bible

The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius.

American Standard Version

And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a shilling.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 20:9 is a pivotal verse within the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, capturing the moment when those hired at the eleventh hour—the very end of the workday—receive a full day's wage, a denarius. This unexpected act of generosity by the landowner immediately sets the stage for the dramatic tension and theological revelation that follows, highlighting God's boundless grace and challenging conventional human notions of fairness and merit-based reward.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, recorded 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 after Peter's question about the disciples' reward for leaving everything to follow Him ([Matthew 19:27](/matthew/19-27 "Matthew 19:27 - Peter's Question About Reward")) and Jesus's pronouncement that "many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first" ([Matthew 19:30](/matthew/19-30 "Matthew 19:30 - The First Shall Be Last")). The parable itself details a landowner hiring workers at various times throughout the day (the first, third, sixth, ninth, and eleventh hours). Matthew 20:9 specifically focuses on the payment of the last group, which then serves as the catalyst for the earlier workers' complaint and the landowner's subsequent explanation of his sovereign generosity, culminating in the reiteration of the "first shall be last" principle in [Matthew 20:16](/matthew/20-16 "Matthew 20:16 - Conclusion of the Parable").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judea, a denarius was the standard daily wage for a common laborer, sufficient to support a family for a day. Work in the fields, particularly vineyards, was arduous and often began at dawn and continued until dusk. The concept of hiring laborers throughout the day was common, as landowners would assess their needs based on the harvest. The expectation was that wages would be proportional to work performed. The landowner's action in Matthew 20:9, paying those who worked for only one hour a full day's wage, would have been culturally shocking and would have directly challenged the prevailing economic and social norms of "fairness" based on labor contributed. This cultural backdrop amplifies the radical nature of the landowner's generosity and the parable's theological implications.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 20:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Matthew and broader biblical theology. It powerfully illustrates **Divine Generosity and Grace**, demonstrating that God's favor is not earned by human merit or duration of service but is freely given according to His sovereign will, a concept foundational to understanding salvation as a gift, not a wage ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). The verse also underscores **God's Sovereignty**, as the landowner asserts his right to manage his resources as he sees fit, mirroring God's ultimate authority over His creation and His kingdom ([Romans 9:14-16](/romans/9-14-16 "Romans 9:14-16 - God's Sovereign Choice")). Furthermore, it sets the stage for the theme of **Reversal of Expectations**, particularly the idea that "the last shall be first, and the first last," which is a recurring motif in Jesus's teachings, challenging human hierarchies and valuing humility and sincere response to God's call over perceived status or long-standing service ([Matthew 19:30](/matthew/19-30 "Matthew 19:30 - The First Shall Be Last")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **eleventh (Greek, _hendékatos'_):** This ordinal number signifies the very last hour of the typical twelve-hour workday (from 6 AM to 6 PM). The "eleventh hour" (approximately 5 PM) implies that these laborers worked for only a fraction of the day, perhaps just one hour. The choice of this specific time emphasizes the minimal labor performed, thereby maximizing the contrast with the full wage received and highlighting the landowner's extraordinary, unmerited generosity.
* **hour (Greek, _hṓra'_):** Referring to a specific period of time, in this context, it denotes a brief duration of work. The mention of the "eleventh hour" underscores the brevity of their service compared to those who began at the first hour. This temporal detail is crucial for the parable's central message, as it establishes the disproportion between the work rendered and the wage received, challenging human notions of equitable compensation.
* **received (Greek, _lambánō'_):** This verb means "to take, get hold of, obtain, or receive." Here, it describes the act of the laborers obtaining the payment. The use of this word, particularly in the context of the unexpected full wage, highlights that the payment was not something earned by the laborers' efforts in the traditional sense, but rather something freely given and accepted. It emphasizes the landowner's initiative and the laborers' passive reception of the gift.
* **penny (Greek, _dēnárion'_):** This term translates the Latin "denarius," a Roman silver coin that was the standard daily wage for a laborer in the first century. The fact that those who worked for only one hour received a full day's wage (a denarius) is the central point of contention and the core of the parable's message about grace. It signifies the landowner's abundant and unmerited generosity, which far exceeds any human standard of fairness based on work performed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they came that [were hired] about the eleventh hour":** This clause introduces the final group of laborers, emphasizing the lateness of their hiring. The phrase "about the eleventh hour" highlights the minimal time they spent working in the vineyard. Their arrival at this late stage sets them apart from all previous groups, preparing the listener for the surprising turn of events regarding their compensation.
* **"they received every man a penny":** This is the climactic statement of the verse, revealing the landowner's astonishing generosity. Despite working for only a short period, each laborer from this last group was given a full day's wage (a denarius). This act immediately establishes the landowner's disregard for a strict merit-based system of payment, instead demonstrating a radical, sovereign generosity that will provoke the indignation of those who worked longer.

#### Literary Devices
The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, and specifically Matthew 20:9, employs several powerful literary devices. The primary device is **Parable** itself, a short, illustrative story that teaches a moral or spiritual lesson. Jesus uses this narrative to convey profound truths about the Kingdom of Heaven. **Symbolism** is heavily present, with the landowner representing God, the vineyard symbolizing God's kingdom or service, and the laborers representing those called to serve God at different stages of their lives or spiritual journeys. The "penny" (denarius) symbolizes God's full and complete blessing or salvation, which is given by grace. There is also a strong element of **Irony** and **Contrast** in this verse, as the last-hired workers, who would typically receive the least, are the first to be paid and receive the full amount, immediately setting up the dramatic tension and challenging the audience's expectations of fairness. This unexpected outcome serves to highlight the counter-intuitive nature of God's grace compared to human meritocracy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 20:9 profoundly illustrates the nature of God's grace, which is not earned but freely given. The landowner's decision to pay the eleventh-hour workers a full day's wage, despite their minimal labor, is a powerful metaphor for God's unmerited favor in salvation and blessing. It challenges the human tendency to quantify spiritual rewards based on effort or duration of service, emphasizing that God's generosity operates on a divine economy of grace, not human merit. This concept is central to the New Testament's understanding of salvation, where eternal life is a gift received through faith, not a wage earned through works. It underscores that all who genuinely respond to God's call, regardless of when they answer, receive the fullness of His blessing, highlighting His boundless love and sovereign prerogative.

* [Romans 11:6](/romans/11-6 "Romans 11:6 - Grace Not Works")
* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")
* [Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Not by Works of Righteousness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 20:9 offers both immense encouragement and a crucial caution for believers. For those who come to faith or commit to serving God later in life, or who feel they have less to offer, this verse is a powerful assurance that God's grace is sufficient and His welcome is complete. There is no "too late" in God's kingdom; the full blessing of His presence and salvation is available to all who respond to His call, regardless of their past or the length of their service. This should inspire hope and remove any sense of inferiority or regret. Conversely, for those who have served God for a long time or who perceive themselves as having "borne the burden and heat of the day," this verse serves as a vital caution against comparison, envy, and a spirit of entitlement. Our focus should always be on God's incredible goodness and our own faithful obedience, not on what others receive or how our "reward" stacks up against theirs. It calls us to cultivate a heart of gratitude for God's grace in our own lives, trusting in His perfect justice and boundless generosity, even when His ways transcend our human logic.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the landowner's generosity in Matthew 20:9 challenge your own assumptions about fairness and reward, especially in the context of spiritual service?**
* **If you identify with the "eleventh-hour workers," how does this verse encourage you in your faith journey and service to God?**
* **If you identify with the "early workers," what lessons does this verse teach you about comparison, entitlement, and trusting in God's sovereign grace?**

### FAQ
**What does "eleventh hour" mean in this parable?**

Answer: In the context of the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, the "eleventh hour" refers to the very last hour of the typical workday, which would have been around 5:00 PM, assuming a 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM workday. The significance is that these workers were hired for only a minimal period, perhaps one hour, yet they received the same full day's wage as those who had worked all day. This detail highlights the landowner's extraordinary and unexpected generosity, which is central to the parable's message about God's grace.

**Why did the landowner pay the eleventh-hour workers first?**

Answer: The landowner specifically instructed his steward to "Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first" ([Matthew 20:8](/matthew/20-8 "Matthew 20:8 - The Order of Payment")). This order of payment is crucial for the parable's dramatic effect and its theological message. By paying the eleventh-hour workers first and giving them a full denarius, the landowner immediately reveals his radical generosity. This act then sets up the indignation of the earlier workers, who expected to receive more, thereby allowing Jesus to expose their self-righteousness and teach a profound lesson about God's sovereign grace, which often defies human expectations of fairness based on merit. It illustrates the principle that "the last shall be first, and the first last" ([Matthew 20:16](/matthew/20-16 "Matthew 20:16 - The First Shall Be Last")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 20:9, with its radical portrayal of the landowner's generosity, points profoundly to the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "penny" (denarius) received by the eleventh-hour workers, representing a full day's wage and symbolizing God's complete blessing or salvation, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the unmerited gift of eternal life offered through Christ. Just as the laborers received a wage far beyond their earned merit, so too is salvation not a reward for human effort or a lengthy period of service, but a free gift of God's grace, made possible by the sacrificial work of Jesus on the cross. Christ's death and resurrection are the ultimate act of divine generosity, paying the full price for humanity's sin, a price we could never earn or repay ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and Gift of God")). Whether one comes to faith early in life or at the "eleventh hour," the full measure of God's grace, purchased by Christ's blood, is equally available and equally complete. This parable thus foreshadows the New Covenant reality where all who believe in Christ, regardless of their past or the duration of their earthly service, are fully reconciled to God and receive the inheritance of eternal life, not based on their works but on the perfect work of the Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"); [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")).

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

Romans 4:3

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Romans 4:6

Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Matthew 20:2

And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

1 Timothy 1:14

And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 1:16

Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.