The Workers in the Vineyard
A landowner hires workers throughout the day but pays them all the same wage. Those hired first complain, but the owner reminds them of his generosity.
Matthew 20:1-16
Take the Matthew 20 Quiz
Test your knowledge of this chapter
Explore Matthew Chapters
Study all chapters of Matthew
The Story
Jesus said: 'For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, "You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right."
He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, "Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?"
"Because no one has hired us," they answered.
He said to them, "You also go and work in my vineyard."
When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, "Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first."
The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius.
When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. "These who were hired last worked only one hour," they said, "and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day."
But he answered one of them, "I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?"
So the last will be first, and the first will be last.'
The Generous Farmer
Kids Version
Jesus told a story about a farmer who needed help:
Early in the morning, the farmer went to town. 'Come work in my vineyard!' he said. 'I'll pay you one silver coin.' The workers agreed and went to work.
A few hours later, the farmer found more people standing around. 'You can work too! I'll pay you fairly.' They went to work.
At noon, he found more workers. In the afternoon, more. Even near the END of the day—almost quitting time!—he found some people. 'Go work in my vineyard,' he said.
When the day was done, the farmer paid everyone. He started with the ones who came LAST. He gave them... one silver coin!
The workers who came FIRST thought, 'Ooh! We worked ALL day! We'll get MORE!'
But they got... one silver coin too. Same as everyone else!
'Hey! That's not FAIR!' they complained. 'We worked in the hot sun all day! Those guys only worked one hour!'
The farmer said, 'Friend, I'm not being unfair. Didn't you agree to work for one silver coin? I gave you exactly what we agreed. If I want to be GENEROUS to the others, that's my choice. Are you jealous because I'm kind?'
This story is about God's grace. Some people follow Jesus their whole lives. Some come to Him at the very end. But God gives the same gift to everyone: eternal life!
We shouldn't complain when God is generous to others. We should be thankful for His kindness to US!
Ready to test your knowledge?
See how well you know this story from Matthew.
Characters in This Story
Settings & Locations
Scripture — Matthew 20:1-16 (KJV)
1For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
2And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. penny: the Roman penny is the eighth part of an ounce, which after five shillings the ounce is seven pence halfpenny; about fourteen cents
3And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
5Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
6And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
8So 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.
9And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
10But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
11And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. have wrought: or, have continued one hour only
13But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
14Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Memory Verse
“For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.”
— Matthew 20:1 (KJV)
Test Your Knowledge
How well do you know the story of “The Workers in the Vineyard”? Take the quiz to find out.
More from Parables of Jesus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “The Workers in the Vineyard” in the Bible?
A landowner hires workers throughout the day but pays them all the same wage. Those hired first complain, but the owner reminds them of his generosity. This story is found in Matthew 20:1-16.
Where is “The Workers in the Vineyard” found in the Bible?
“The Workers in the Vineyard” is found in Matthew 20:1-16, in the book of Matthew.
What can children learn from “The Workers in the Vineyard”?
This story teaches children about Grace, God's generosity, Fairness vs. grace, The last shall be first. A farmer hired workers at different times of day but paid them all the same. Some thought it wasn't fair—but the farmer was being generous, not unfair!