Matthew 20:11

And when they had received [it], they murmured against the goodman of the house,

And {G1161} when they had received {G2983} it, they murmured {G1111} against {G2596} the goodman of the house {G3617},

On receiving their wages, they began grumbling to the farmer,

On receiving their pay, they began to grumble against the landowner.

And when they received it, they murmured against the householder,

Commentary

Matthew 20:11 KJV captures a pivotal moment in the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. After receiving their payment, the laborers who had worked the longest expressed their discontent by "murmuring against the goodman of the house." This verse highlights the human tendency to compare and complain, even when one has received what was agreed upon, especially when another receives what is perceived as an undeserved blessing.

Context

This verse is found within Jesus' parable in Matthew 20:1-16, which illustrates profound truths about the Kingdom of Heaven. A landowner hires laborers at various times throughout the day, from early morning to just an hour before sunset. When it comes time to pay, he gives all workers the same wage—a denarius. The workers hired first, who "had borne the burden and heat of the day" (Matthew 20:12), expected more. Their murmuring in verse 11 sets the stage for the landowner's explanation of his sovereign generosity, challenging their merit-based assumptions.

Key Themes

  • Divine Generosity vs. Human Merit: The core tension in the parable, epitomized by the workers' complaint, is the clash between God's boundless grace and humanity's inclination towards earning or deserving blessings based on effort or perceived fairness.
  • Envy and Discontentment: The murmuring stems not from a lack of their own agreed-upon wage, but from envy that others received the same amount for less work. This highlights the destructive nature of comparing oneself to others and the spiritual danger of discontentment.
  • God's Sovereignty: The "goodman of the house" (representing God) asserts his right to be generous with his own resources. His actions demonstrate that God's distribution of grace and blessings is based on His will, not human performance or expectations, as He is sovereign over His mercies (Romans 9:15).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "murmured" is egogguzon (ἐγόγγυζον), which vividly conveys a low, disgruntled grumbling or complaining. This term is notably used in the Old Testament (Septuagint) to describe the Israelites' frequent complaints against God and Moses in the wilderness, signifying a deep-seated dissatisfaction with divine provision. The "goodman of the house" (Greek: oikodespotēs - οἰκοδεσπότης) literally means "master of the house" or "householder," aptly representing the landowner's authority and control over his vineyard and his workers.

Practical Application

Matthew 20:11 serves as a timeless caution against spiritual pride and a self-righteous attitude. It reminds us that God's grace is not a reward for our efforts but a free gift, and we should not begrudge His generosity to others. Instead of comparing our blessings or perceived spiritual standing with others, this verse calls us to cultivate gratitude for God's immeasurable grace in our own lives (Ephesians 2:8-9). It encourages us to rejoice when others are blessed, recognizing that all good things come from God's hand, and His ways are often higher than our own ideas of fairness.

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Cross-References

  • Luke 19:7 (4 votes)

    And when they saw [it], they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:16 (4 votes)

    Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

  • Acts 11:2 (2 votes)

    And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

  • Acts 11:3 (2 votes)

    Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

  • Jude 1:16 (2 votes)

    These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

  • Luke 15:28 (2 votes)

    And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

  • Luke 15:30 (2 votes)

    But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.