Matthew 20:13

But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

But {G1161} he answered {G611} one {G1520} of them {G846}, and said {G2036}, Friend {G2083}, I do {G91} thee {G4571} no {G3756} wrong {G91}: didst {G4856} not {G3780} thou agree {G4856} with me {G3427} for a penny {G1220}?

But he answered one of them, `Look, friend, I'm not being unfair with you. Didn't you agree to work today for a denarius?

But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Did you not agree with me on one denarius?

But he answered and said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a shilling?

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 20:13 (KJV)

Matthew 20:13 is a pivotal verse within the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, where Jesus illustrates profound principles about God's kingdom and grace. In this verse, the vineyard owner directly addresses a complaining laborer, affirming the fairness of their initial agreement.

Context

This verse is spoken by the owner of a vineyard to one of the laborers who had been hired early in the day for a specific wage – a "penny," which was a denarius (δηνάριον), a common day's wage for a laborer in that era. The complaint arises because the owner chose to pay all laborers, including those hired much later in the day, the same agreed-upon wage. The parable immediately follows Jesus' teaching on rewards and the saying that many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first, serving as a powerful illustration of this concept.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Generosity: The owner's response highlights God's absolute right to dispense His blessings and grace as He sees fit. He is not bound by human notions of fairness or merit, but acts out of His own good will and generosity.
  • Grace Over Merit: The parable powerfully conveys that salvation and spiritual blessings are gifts of God's unmerited grace, not earned by human effort, duration of service, or perceived worthiness.
  • Covenant Keeping: The owner reminds the laborer, "didst not thou agree with me for a penny?" This emphasizes that the initial agreement was honored. The complaint isn't about injustice, but about envy over the owner's generosity to others.
  • Warning Against Envy and Entitlement: The laborer's complaint exposes a self-righteous attitude and envy towards others who received the same blessing without seemingly working as hard. It underscores the danger of comparing oneself to others and feeling entitled to more based on one's own perceived contributions.

Linguistic Insights

The word "penny" in the King James Version translates the Greek word denarion (δηνάριον), which was a silver coin equivalent to a day's wage for a common laborer. This detail is crucial, as it establishes that the initial agreement was perfectly fair and sufficient for a day's work. The term "Friend" (Greek: hetaire, ἑταῖρε) used by the owner is a polite but firm form of address. It's not a term of deep affection but rather a common way to address an associate, often used in the Gospels when a rebuke or clarification is about to follow, as seen in Matthew 22:12 and Matthew 26:50.

Practical Application

This verse challenges believers to examine their hearts regarding God's blessings. Instead of focusing on what others receive or comparing our journey to theirs, we are called to be grateful for God's grace in our own lives. It reminds us that God's ways and thoughts are often higher than our own, and His generosity transcends human expectations of fairness based on merit. Serving God should be motivated by love and gratitude for His calling, rather than by a desire for greater reward or a spirit of competition with fellow believers. Ultimately, the parable teaches us to rejoice in God's goodness to all, recognizing that "the first shall be last, and the last first."

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 26:50 (8 votes)

    And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

  • Matthew 22:12 (7 votes)

    And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

  • Romans 9:14 (5 votes)

    ¶ What shall we say then? [Is there] unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

  • Romans 9:15 (5 votes)

    For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

  • Genesis 18:25 (2 votes)

    That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

  • Job 35:2 (2 votes)

    Thinkest thou this to be right, [that] thou saidst, My righteousness [is] more than God's?

  • Job 40:8 (2 votes)

    Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?