Matthew 20:6

And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

And {G1161} about {G4012} the eleventh {G1734} hour {G5610} he went out {G1831}, and found {G2147} others {G243} standing {G2476} idle {G692}, and {G2532} saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, Why {G5101} stand ye {G2476} here {G5602} all {G3650} the day {G2250} idle {G692}?

About an hour before sundown, he went out, found still others standing around, and asked them, `Why have you been standing here all day, doing nothing?"

About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ he asked.

And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing; and he saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 20:6 (KJV)

Matthew 20:6 is a pivotal verse within Jesus' Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard. This parable illustrates profound truths about God's grace, generosity, and the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Context

This verse describes the final group of laborers hired by the master of the vineyard. In ancient Israel, a typical workday began at sunrise and ended at sunset, often lasting around 12 hours. The "eleventh hour" signifies the very end of the working day, just an hour before quitting time. The master's action of going out so late and finding people "standing idle" highlights their apparent lack of opportunity or purpose throughout the day. His question, "Why stand ye here all the day idle?" is not necessarily accusatory but rather an invitation, paving the way for their unexpected hiring and subsequent equal reward, which is the central point of the parable.

Key Themes

  • Divine Generosity and Grace: The master's decision to hire laborers at the eleventh hour, and then pay them the same as those who worked all day, powerfully demonstrates God's boundless grace. It challenges human notions of fairness based on merit or duration of service.
  • The Call to Service: Even at the "last minute," there is an opportunity to respond to God's call to labor in His spiritual vineyard. This emphasizes that it's never too late to begin serving the Lord or to come into His Kingdom.
  • God's Sovereignty in Reward: The parable ultimately teaches that God is sovereign in His distribution of blessings and rewards. His ways are often contrary to human expectations, as highlighted by the concluding statement, "So the last shall be first, and the first last."

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "idle" here is argos (ἀργός), which literally means "inactive" or "unoccupied." It can also carry connotations of being "useless" or "unproductive." In this context, it describes individuals who, through no fault of their own, perhaps due to lack of opportunity, have spent the day without work. The master's question invites them from a state of inactivity into purposeful labor, underscoring the value of any service rendered to God, regardless of its duration.

Practical Application

Matthew 20:6 offers great encouragement to all believers. It reminds us:

  • It's Never Too Late: For those who feel they have wasted much of their lives or are coming to faith later in life, this verse assures them that God's invitation and grace extend to the very "eleventh hour."
  • Focus on Obedience, Not Comparison: We should not compare our spiritual journey, service, or perceived rewards with others. God's grace is sufficient for all, and He rewards according to His perfect wisdom and generosity, not strictly by human measurements of effort or time.
  • Be Ready to Serve: The question, "Why stand ye here all the day idle?" serves as a gentle challenge for believers to be always ready and willing to respond to God's call to labor in His Kingdom, whenever and however He calls.
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Cross-References

  • John 9:4 (4 votes)

    I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

  • Hebrews 6:12 (4 votes)

    That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

  • Acts 17:21 (3 votes)

    (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

  • Proverbs 19:15 (2 votes)

    ¶ Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:10 (1 votes)

    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.

  • Luke 23:40 (1 votes)

    But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

  • Luke 23:43 (1 votes)

    And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.