King James Version

What Does Matthew 20:8 Mean?

Matthew 20:8 in the King James Version says “So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, be...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“So 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.”

Matthew 20:8 · King James Version

Context

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?

7

They 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.

8

So 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.

9

And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

10

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

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Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
So when even was come (ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης, opsias de genomenēs)—Evening marked the workday's end and, according to Mosaic law, the time when day-laborers must be paid (Lev. 19:13, Deut. 24:15). This timing emphasizes the master's legal righteousness and foreshadows eschatological judgment when each receives recompense.

Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first (κάλεσον τοὺς ἐργάτας καὶ ἀπόδος αὐτοῖς τὸν μισθὸν ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ τῶν ἐσχάτων ἕως τῶν πρώτων, kaleson tous ergatas kai apodos autois ton misthon arxamenos apo tōn eschatōn heōs tōn prōtōn)—The reversal of payment order is deliberate and pedagogical. By paying the last first, the master ensures the early-hired workers witness the grace shown to latecomers, testing their reaction. This ordering enacts Jesus's principle: the last shall be first, and the first last (20:16, echoing 19:30).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish law protected day-laborers from exploitation by requiring same-day payment. The master's obedience to Torah contrasts with the early workers' later complaint, showing that legal righteousness and gracious generosity coexist in God's character. The payment order mirrors redemptive history: eleventh-hour Gentiles and sinners receive full Kingdom inheritance alongside faithful Israel.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the master's obedience to Torah's labor laws demonstrate that grace doesn't contradict justice but fulfills it?
  2. What does the reversed payment order reveal about God's intention to expose and sanctify the early workers' (and our) hearts?
  3. In what ways does this verse challenge merit-based thinking about salvation, suggesting that God's grace is the great equalizer in the Kingdom?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
ὀψίας1 of 26

“when even”

G3798

late; feminine (as noun) afternoon (early eve) or nightfall (later eve)

δὲ2 of 26

“So”

G1161

but, and, etc

γενομένης3 of 26

“was come”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

λέγει4 of 26

“saith”

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

ὁ5 of 26
G3588

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

κύριος6 of 26

“the lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

τοῦ7 of 26
G3588

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

ἀμπελῶνος8 of 26

“of the vineyard”

G290

a vineyard

τῷ9 of 26
G3588

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

ἐπιτρόπῳ10 of 26

“steward”

G2012

a commissioner, i.e., domestic manager, guardian

αὐτοῖς11 of 26

“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

Κάλεσον12 of 26

“Call”

G2564

to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)

τοὺς13 of 26
G3588

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

ἐργάτας14 of 26

“the labourers”

G2040

a toiler; figuratively, a teacher

καὶ15 of 26

“and”

G2532

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

ἀπόδος16 of 26

“give”

G591

to give away, i.e., up, over, back, etc. (in various applications)

αὐτοῖς17 of 26

“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

τὸν18 of 26
G3588

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

μισθὸν19 of 26

“their hire”

G3408

pay for service (literally or figuratively), good or bad

ἀρξάμενος20 of 26

“beginning”

G756

to commence (in order of time)

ἀπὸ21 of 26

“from”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τῶν22 of 26
G3588

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

ἐσχάτων23 of 26

“the last”

G2078

farthest, final (of place or time)

ἕως24 of 26

“unto”

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

τῶν25 of 26
G3588

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

πρώτων26 of 26

“the first”

G4413

foremost (in time, place, order or importance)

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 20:8 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 20:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 24:151 Peter 4:10Romans 2:6-10Genesis 43:19Luke 12:422 Corinthians 5:10

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