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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 20:13 But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Did you not agree with me on one denarius?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/20-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/40_Mat_20_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 20:13 - The Parable of the Workers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. 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Didn&#8217t you agree to work for a denarius?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Did you not agree with me on one denarius?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And answering one of them, he said, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But he answered and said to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But he answered and said to one of them, &#8216Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But he answered and said to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But he answered and said to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But the owner of the estate replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“He replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I’m doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me on a denarius?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220He replied to one of them, Friend, I&#8217m doing you no wrong. Didn&#8217t you agree with me on a denarius?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But he answered and said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a shilling?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The owner answered one of them, "Friend, I didn't cheat you. I paid you exactly what we agreed on. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But he answered and said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"The owner said to one of them, 'Friend, I'm not treating you unfairly. Didn't you agree with me on a day's wages?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />'Listen, friend,' the owner answered one of them, 'I have not cheated you. After all, you agreed to do a day's work for one silver coin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"But he told one of them, 'Friend, I'm not treating you unfairly. You did agree with me for a denarius, didn't you? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Did you not agree with me on one denarius?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />And the landowner replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am not treating you unfairly. Didn't you agree with me to work for the standard wage?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"'My friend,' he answered to one of them, 'I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a shilling?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me for a denarius? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he answering said to one of them, Friend, I do no unrighteousness to you; did you not agree with me for a denarius?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And answering one of them, he said, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And he answering said to one of them, Comrade, I do no unrighteousness to thee; for a denary didst not thou agree with me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he, having answered, said to one of them, Friend, I injure thee not; didst not thou agree with me for a drachma?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But he answering said to one of them: Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But responding to one of them, he said: ‘Friend, I caused you no injury. Did you not agree with me to one denarius?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He answered and said to one of them, My friend, I am not doing you an injustice; did you not bargain with me for a penny?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/20.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But he answered and said to one of them, 'My friend, I do no evil to you. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?'<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/20.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But he answered and said to one of them: Friend, I do you no in justice; did you not agree with me for a denarius?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/20.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>But he responding said to one of them, Comrade, I do thee no wrong; didst thou not agree with me for a denarion?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/20.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />But he answering, said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no injustice; did I not agree with thee for a denarius?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/20.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />but he answered one of them, friend, I do thee no wrong: did not you agree for a penny a day?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"'My friend,' he answered to one of them, 'I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a shilling?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/20.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>"But he, answering, said to one of them, 'Friend, I do you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denary?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/20.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>But he answered, and said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no wrong; didst not thou agree with me for a penny?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/20-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=5738" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/20.htm">The Parable of the Workers</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’ <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/611.htm" title="611: apokritheis (V-APP-NMS) -- From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.">he answered</a> <a href="/greek/1520.htm" title="1520: heni (Adj-DMS) -- One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.">one</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">of them,</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say."></a> <a href="/greek/2083.htm" title="2083: Hetaire (N-VMS) -- A companion, comrade, friend. From etes; a comrade.">‘Friend,</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/91.htm" title="91: adikō (V-PIA-1S) -- To act unjustly towards, injure, harm. From adikos; to be unjust, i.e. do wrong.">I am not being unfair</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: se (PPro-A2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">to you.</a> <a href="/greek/3780.htm" title="3780: ouchi (IntPrtcl) -- By no means, not at all. Intensive of ou; not indeed."></a> <a href="/greek/4856.htm" title="4856: synephōnēsas (V-AIA-2S) -- To agree with, harmonize with, agree together. From sumphonos; to be harmonious, i.e. to accord or stipulate.">Did you not agree</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: moi (PPro-D1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">with me</a> <a href="/greek/1220.htm" title="1220: dēnariou (N-GNS) -- A denarius, a small Roman silver coin. Of Latin origin; a denarius.">on one denarius?</a> </span> <span class="reftext">14</span>Take your pay and go. I want to give this last man the same as I gave you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-12.htm">Matthew 22:12</a></span><br />‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But the man was speechless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-28.htm">Luke 15:28-31</a></span><br />The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. / But he answered his father, ‘Look, all these years I have served you and never disobeyed a commandment of yours. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. / But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/5-29.htm">Luke 5:29-32</a></span><br />Then Levi hosted a great banquet for Jesus at his house. A large crowd of tax collectors was there, along with others who were eating with them. / But the Pharisees and their scribes complained to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” / Jesus answered, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20-21</a></span><br />But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” / Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/33-13.htm">Job 33:13</a></span><br />Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a></span><br />Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-34.htm">Romans 11:34-35</a></span><br />“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” / “Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-10.htm">1 Corinthians 10:10</a></span><br />And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-14.htm">Philippians 2:14</a></span><br />Do everything without complaining or arguing,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/16-8.htm">Exodus 16:8</a></span><br />And Moses added, “The LORD will give you meat to eat this evening and bread to fill you in the morning, for He has heard your grumbling against Him. Who are we? Your grumblings are not against us but against the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/11-4.htm">Numbers 11:4-6</a></span><br />Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat? / We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. / But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to see but this manna!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-5.htm">Deuteronomy 32:5</a></span><br />His people have acted corruptly toward Him; the blemish on them is not that of His children, but of a perverse and crooked generation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16</a></span><br />You have turned things upside down, as if the potter were regarded as clay. Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pottery say of the potter, “He has no understanding”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6</a></span><br />“O house of Israel, declares the LORD, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay? Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-25.htm">Ezekiel 18:25</a></span><br />Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is it My way that is unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do you no wrong: did not you agree with me for a penny?</p><p class="hdg">Friend.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/22-12.htm">Matthew 22:12</a></b></br> And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/26-50.htm">Matthew 26:50</a></b></br> And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.</p><p class="hdg">I do.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/18-25.htm">Genesis 18:25</a></b></br> 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?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/34-8.htm">Job 34:8-12,17,18</a></b></br> Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/35-2.htm">Job 35:2</a></b></br> Thinkest thou this to be right, <i>that</i> thou saidst, My righteousness <i>is</i> more than God's?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/18-19.htm">Agree</a> <a href="/matthew/20-2.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/judges/7-14.htm">Comrade</a> <a href="/matthew/20-10.htm">Denarius</a> <a href="/matthew/20-10.htm">Denary</a> <a href="/matthew/11-19.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-5.htm">Injustice</a> <a href="/matthew/20-10.htm">Penny</a> <a href="/matthew/20-10.htm">Shilling</a> <a href="/malachi/2-6.htm">Unrighteousness</a> <a href="/matthew/20-12.htm">Work</a> <a href="/matthew/18-21.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/14-56.htm">Agree</a> <a href="/mark/14-56.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/matthew/22-12.htm">Comrade</a> <a href="/matthew/22-19.htm">Denarius</a> <a href="/matthew/22-19.htm">Denary</a> <a href="/matthew/22-12.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/acts/7-24.htm">Injustice</a> <a href="/matthew/22-19.htm">Penny</a> <a href="/matthew/22-19.htm">Shilling</a> <a href="/matthew/23-25.htm">Unrighteousness</a> <a href="/matthew/21-28.htm">Work</a> <a href="/matthew/22-18.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/20-1.htm">Jesus, by the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, shows that God is debtor unto no man;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/20-17.htm">foretells his passion;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/20-20.htm">by answering the mother of Zebedee's children, teaches his disciples to be humble;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/20-29.htm">and gives two blind men their sight.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/matthew/20.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>But he answered one of them</b><br />The phrase begins with a direct response from the landowner, symbolizing God, to one of the laborers. The Greek word for "answered" (ἀποκριθεὶς) implies a thoughtful and deliberate response, indicating that God’s actions are intentional and just. The use of "one of them" suggests a personal engagement, highlighting God's individual relationship with each believer.<p><b>Friend</b><br />The term "friend" (ἑταῖρε) is used here not as a term of endearment but as a formal address. It reflects a tone of gentle rebuke, reminding the laborer of their relationship and agreement. This word choice underscores the fairness and integrity of God, who remains just even when His actions are questioned.<p><b>I am not being unfair to you</b><br />The phrase emphasizes God's justice and fairness. The Greek word for "unfair" (ἀδικῶ) means to act unjustly or wickedly. Here, it reassures the laborer that there is no injustice in God's kingdom. This reflects the biblical principle that God’s ways are higher than human ways (<a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>).<p><b>Did you not agree with me</b><br />This rhetorical question points back to the initial agreement, highlighting the importance of covenant and promise. The Greek word "συνεφώνησας" (agreed) implies a mutual understanding and contract. It serves as a reminder that God is faithful to His promises, and His covenants are unbreakable.<p><b>on one denarius?</b><br />The "denarius" was a common day's wage for a laborer in the first century, representing fairness and sufficiency. It symbolizes the sufficiency of God’s grace, which is equally available to all, regardless of when they come to faith. This reflects the biblical theme of God’s grace being sufficient for all (<a href="/2_corinthians/12-9.htm">2 Corinthians 12:9</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">Friend.</span>--The word so translated (literally, <span class= "ital">comrade, companion</span>) always carries, with it in our Lord's lips a tone of reproof. It is addressed to the man who had not on a wedding garment (<a href="/matthew/22-12.htm" title="And he said to him, Friend, how came you in here not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.">Matthew 22:12</a>), and to the traitor Judas (<a href="/matthew/26-50.htm" title="And Jesus said to him, Friend, why are you come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.">Matthew 26:50</a>).<p><span class= "bld">I do thee no wrong.</span>--The answer of the house holder is that of one who is just where claims are urged on the ground of justice, generous where he sees that generosity is right. Had the first-called labourers shared this generosity, they would not have grudged the others the wages that they themselves received, and would have found their own reward in sympathy with their joy. This would be true even in the outer framework of the parable. It is <span class= "ital">a fortiori</span> true when we pass to its spiritual interpretation. <span class= "ital">No</span> disciple who had entered into his Master's spirit would grudge the repentant thief his rest in Paradise (<a href="/luke/23-43.htm" title="And Jesus said to him, Truly I say to you, To day shall you be with me in paradise.">Luke 23:43</a>). No consistent Christian thinks that he ought to have some special reward because he sees a death-bed repentance crowned by a peace, the foretaste of eternal life, as full and assured as his own.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He answered one of them.</span> The Lord condescended to show, not to all the labourers, but to one of them - the ringleader probably - the futility of the ground of his murmur. Christ often explains himself to his friends, while he refuses further elucidation to enemies and the hardened. <span class="cmt_word">Friend</span> (<span class="greek">ἑταῖρε</span>). Not a term of affection, or special good will, but one of indifference, addressed to an inferior. It was the word used to Judas (<a href="/matthew/26-50.htm">Matthew 26:50</a>) when he came to betray his Lord, "Friend, wherefore art thou come?" <span class="cmt_word">I do thee no wrong.</span> The labourer had really nothing to complain of in strict justice; he had received the full amount of the stipulated wages. But he very naturally felt that he had not been fairly dealt with. He would say to himself, "If one hour's work, and that in the cool of the evening, is deemed worth a penny, surely a whole day's labour, in the full heat of the sun, ought to deserve a higher remuneration." The difficulty here must be felt by every one. Nor is the master's solution perfect; it would scarcely commend itself to the dissatisfied murmurer. And doubtless it is not intended to be complete. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/20-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he answered</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀποκριθεὶς</span> <span class="translit">(apokritheis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_611.htm">Strong's 611: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one</span><br /><span class="grk">ἑνὶ</span> <span class="translit">(heni)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1520.htm">Strong's 1520: </a> </span><span class="str2">One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of them,</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῶν</span> <span class="translit">(autōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘Friend,</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἑταῖρε</span> <span class="translit">(Hetaire)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2083.htm">Strong's 2083: </a> </span><span class="str2">A companion, comrade, friend. From etes; a comrade.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I am not being unfair</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀδικῶ</span> <span class="translit">(adikō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_91.htm">Strong's 91: </a> </span><span class="str2">To act unjustly towards, injure, harm. From adikos; to be unjust, i.e. do wrong.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to you.</span><br /><span class="grk">σε</span> <span class="translit">(se)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Did you not agree</span><br /><span class="grk">συνεφώνησάς</span> <span class="translit">(synephōnēsas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4856.htm">Strong's 4856: </a> </span><span class="str2">To agree with, harmonize with, agree together. From sumphonos; to be harmonious, i.e. to accord or stipulate.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with me</span><br /><span class="grk">μοι</span> <span class="translit">(moi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on one denarius?</span><br /><span class="grk">δηναρίου</span> <span class="translit">(dēnariou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1220.htm">Strong's 1220: </a> </span><span class="str2">A denarius, a small Roman silver coin. Of Latin origin; a denarius.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/20-13.htm">Matthew 20:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/20-13.htm">Matthew 20:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/20-13.htm">Matthew 20:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/20-13.htm">Matthew 20:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/20-13.htm">Matthew 20:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/20-13.htm">Matthew 20:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/20-13.htm">Matthew 20:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/20-13.htm">Matthew 20:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/20-13.htm">Matthew 20:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/20-13.htm">Matthew 20:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/20-13.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 20:13 But he answered one of them 'Friend (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/20-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 20:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 20:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/20-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 20:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 20:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>