King James Version

What Does Matthew 20:12 Mean?

Matthew 20:12 in the King James Version says “Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and hea...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Saying, 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”

Matthew 20:12 · KJV

Context

10

But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

11

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

12

Saying, 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

13

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

14

Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

Read Matthew 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Saying, These last have wrought but one hour (λέγοντες ὅτι οὗτοι οἱ ἔσχατοι μίαν ὥραν ἐποίησαν, legontes hoti houtoi hoi eschatoi mian hōran epoiēsan)—The workers' complaint emphasizes the disparity: one hour versus a full day. Their calculation is mathematically accurate but spiritually blind. They reduce Kingdom service to time-tracking and merit-accumulation, precisely the mindset Jesus seeks to dismantle. The contemptuous phrase these last (οὗτοι οἱ ἔσχατοι, houtoi hoi eschatoi) reveals disdain for eleventh-hour laborers.

And thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day (καὶ ἴσους ἡμῖν αὐτοὺς ἐποίησας τοῖς βαστάσασιν τὸ βάρος τῆς ἡμέρας καὶ τὸν καύσωνα, kai isous hēmin autous epoiēsas tois bastasasin to baros tēs hēmeras kai ton kausōna)—Their offense is equal (ἴσος, isos) treatment. The burden (βάρος, baros, heavy weight) and scorching heat (καύσων, kausōn, burning heat) describe legitimate hardship, yet their complaint reveals they view service as drudgery, not privilege. They want hierarchical reward structure, but the master's grace abolishes such categories.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Palestinian summers were brutally hot, with midday temperatures exceeding 100°F. The burden and heat were real physical suffering. Yet Jesus's parable uses this to illustrate that those who bear greater hardship don't thereby earn superior status. In the Kingdom, the crown of righteousness is gift, not wages—received equally by all who finish the race, whether they ran decades or days (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the early workers' resentment of 'equal' treatment expose the human tendency to view suffering and service as merit-earning rather than grace-enabled responses?
  2. What does this verse reveal about the danger of comparing your spiritual journey's difficulty with others', using hardship as grounds for superior status?
  3. In what ways does the complaint 'thou hast made them equal unto us' mirror the elder brother's resentment in Luke 15, and what does this teach about religious self-righteousness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
λέγοντες1 of 22

“Saying”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ὅτι2 of 22
G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Οὗτοι3 of 22

“These”

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

τὸν4 of 22

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἔσχατοι5 of 22

“last”

G2078

farthest, final (of place or time)

μίαν6 of 22
G1520

one

ὥραν7 of 22

“hour”

G5610

an "hour" (literally or figuratively)

ἐποίησας8 of 22

“have wrought”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

καὶ9 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἴσους10 of 22

“equal”

G2470

similar (in amount and kind)

ἡμῖν11 of 22

“unto us”

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us

αὐτοὺς12 of 22

“them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐποίησας13 of 22

“have wrought”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

τὸν14 of 22

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βαστάσασιν15 of 22

“have borne”

G941

to lift, literally or figuratively (endure, declare, sustain, receive, etc.)

τὸν16 of 22

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βάρος17 of 22

“the burden”

G922

weight; in the new testament only, figuratively, a load, abundance, authority

τὸν18 of 22

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἡμέρας19 of 22

“of the day”

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

καὶ20 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὸν21 of 22

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καύσωνα22 of 22

“heat”

G2742

a glare

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 20:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 20:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 11:5-6Luke 14:10-112 Corinthians 11:23-28Luke 12:55Malachi 3:14Malachi 1:13

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