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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 20:10 So when the original workers came, they assumed they would receive more. But each of them also received a denarius.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/20-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/40_Mat_20_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 20:10 - The Parable of the Workers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So when the original workers came, they assumed they would receive more. 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But each one of them also received a denarius.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So when the original workers came, they assumed they would receive more. But each of them also received a denarius.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And the first having come, they thought that they will receive more, but they themselves also received a denarius each.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man 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 when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And <i>so</i> when those <i>hired</i> first came, they thought that they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220When those hired first came, they thought that they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And when those <i>hired</i> first came, they thought that they would receive more; and they also received each one a denarius.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And when those <i>hired</i> first came, they supposed that they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now when the first [to be hired] came, they thought they would get more; but each of them also received a denarius.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So when the first ones came, they assumed they would get more, but they also received a denarius each.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So when the first ones came, they assumed they would get more, but they also received a denarius each. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received every man a shilling.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The workers who had been hired first thought they would be given more than the others. But when they were given the same, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received every man a penny.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When those who had been hired first came, they expected to receive more. But each of them received 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 />So when the men who were the first to be hired came to be paid, they thought they would get more; but they too were given a silver coin each. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"When the first came, they thought they would receive more, but each received a denarius as well. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So when the original workers came, they assumed they would receive more. But each of them also received a denarius.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />And when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more. But each one also received 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 />When the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise each received 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 when the first came, they supposed that they should receive more; and they likewise received every man a penny.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />and when the first came, they expected to get more, but they also each got the shilling.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise each received 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 the first having come, supposed that they will receive more, and they received, they also, each a denarius,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And the first having come, they thought that they will receive more, but they themselves also received a denarius each.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And the first having come, did suppose that they shall receive more, and they received, they also, each a denary,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the first, having come, thought that they will receive more; and they also received thereupon 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 when the first also came, they thought that they should receive more: and they also received every man a penny. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then when the first ones also came forward, they considered that they would receive more. But they, too, received one denarius.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received 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 />But when the first ones came, they expected to receive more; but they also got each one 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 />And when the first ones came they had hoped that they would receive more, and they received a denarius each also.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/20.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But when those came who had been hired first, they thought that they would receive more; and they received each one 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 the first having come supposed that they shall receive more; and themselves also received each one 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 when the first came, they expected that they should receive more; and they also received every man a denarius.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/20.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />last of all they came who were hired first, expecting to have received more, but they had only a penny a man,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />and when the first came, they expected to get more, but they also each got the shilling.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/20.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>And the first, coming, supposed that they would receive more; and they also received, each, 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 when the first came, they thought that they should receive more; and they also received every one a penny.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/20-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=5712" 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">9</span>The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">So when</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4413.htm" title="4413: prōtoi (Adj-NMP) -- First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.">original workers</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: elthontes (V-APA-NMP) -- To come, go. ">came,</a> <a href="/greek/3543.htm" title="3543: enomisan (V-AIA-3P) -- From nomos; properly, to do by law, i.e. To accustom; by extension, to deem or regard.">they assumed</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because."></a> <a href="/greek/2983.htm" title="2983: lēmpsontai (V-FIM-3P) -- (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of. ">they would receive</a> <a href="/greek/4119.htm" title="4119: pleion (Adj-ANS-C) -- Or neuter pleion, or pleon comparative of polus; more in quantity, number, or quality; also the major portion.">more.</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">But</a> <a href="/greek/303.htm" title="303: ana (Adv) -- A primary preposition and adverb; properly, up; but used severally, or at.">each</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autoi (PPro-NM3P) -- 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/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">also</a> <a href="/greek/2983.htm" title="2983: elabon (V-AIA-3P) -- (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of. ">received</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1220.htm" title="1220: dēnarion (N-ANS) -- A denarius, a small Roman silver coin. Of Latin origin; a denarius.">a denarius.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">11</span>On receiving their pay, they began to grumble against the landowner.…<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="/luke/15-25.htm">Luke 15:25-32</a></span><br />Meanwhile the older son was in the field, and as he approached the house, he heard music and dancing. / So he called one of the servants and asked what was going on. / ‘Your brother has returned,’ he said, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has him back safe and sound.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-30.htm">Matthew 19:30</a></span><br />But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-24.htm">Matthew 25:24-30</a></span><br />Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. / So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’ / ‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-9.htm">Luke 18:9-14</a></span><br />To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable: / “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. / The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ...<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="/1_corinthians/12-11.htm">1 Corinthians 12:11</a></span><br />All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-6.htm">James 4:6</a></span><br />But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/16-18.htm">Proverbs 16:18</a></span><br />Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a></span><br />“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/34-19.htm">Job 34:19</a></span><br />who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-6.htm">Romans 2:6-11</a></span><br />God “will repay each one according to his deeds.” / To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. / But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-7.htm">1 Samuel 2:7-8</a></span><br />The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts. / He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:11</a></span><br />I saw something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; neither is the bread to the wise, nor the wealth to the intelligent, nor the favor to the skillful. For time and chance happen to all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/13-30.htm">Luke 13:30</a></span><br />And indeed, some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-31.htm">Mark 10:31</a></span><br />But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/20-9.htm">Denarius</a> <a href="/matthew/20-9.htm">Denary</a> <a href="/matthew/11-3.htm">Expected</a> <a href="/matthew/20-8.htm">First</a> <a href="/matthew/20-9.htm">Hired</a> <a href="/matthew/6-7.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/matthew/20-5.htm">Likewise</a> <a href="/matthew/20-9.htm">Penny</a> <a href="/matthew/20-9.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/matthew/20-9.htm">Received</a> <a href="/matthew/20-7.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/matthew/20-9.htm">Shilling</a> <a href="/matthew/18-12.htm">Suppose</a> <a href="/revelation/3-1.htm">Supposed</a> <a href="/matthew/16-5.htm">Thought</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/20-13.htm">Denarius</a> <a href="/matthew/20-13.htm">Denary</a> <a href="/luke/7-19.htm">Expected</a> <a href="/matthew/20-16.htm">First</a> <a href="/matthew/20-12.htm">Hired</a> <a href="/matthew/20-22.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/matthew/21-24.htm">Likewise</a> <a href="/matthew/20-13.htm">Penny</a> <a href="/matthew/21-22.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/matthew/20-11.htm">Received</a> <a href="/matthew/22-6.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/matthew/20-13.htm">Shilling</a> <a href="/matthew/24-48.htm">Suppose</a> <a href="/mark/6-49.htm">Supposed</a> <a href="/matthew/24-44.htm">Thought</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 /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So when the original workers came</b><br>The original workers in this parable represent those who have been serving God for a long time, possibly the Jewish people who were the first to receive God's covenant. This phrase sets the stage for the expectation of reward based on tenure and effort. In the cultural context of first-century Palestine, laborers would gather in the marketplace to be hired for the day, and those hired first would naturally expect greater compensation for their longer hours.<p><b>they assumed they would receive more</b><br>This assumption reflects a human tendency to equate time and effort with greater reward. It highlights the theme of human expectations versus divine grace. Biblically, this can be connected to the idea that God's ways are not our ways (<a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>). The workers' assumption also mirrors the attitude of the Pharisees and religious leaders who believed their adherence to the law entitled them to greater favor from God.<p><b>But each of them also received a denarius</b><br>A denarius was a common day's wage for a laborer at the time, indicating fairness and sufficiency in the eyes of the landowner. This phrase underscores the parable's message about the kingdom of heaven, where God's grace is given equally, regardless of human calculations of worthiness. The equal payment symbolizes the equal gift of salvation offered to all believers, whether they come early or late to faith. This can be seen as a type of Christ's teaching on grace, where the last will be first, and the first will be last (<a href="/matthew/20-16.htm">Matthew 20:16</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/l/landowner.htm">Landowner</a></b><br>Represents God, who is sovereign and just in His dealings with humanity.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/laborers.htm">Laborers</a></b><br>Symbolize believers or followers of Christ, each called to work in God's vineyard (the world).<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/v/vineyard.htm">Vineyard</a></b><br>Represents the Kingdom of Heaven, where God's work is carried out.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/denarius.htm">Denarius</a></b><br>A day's wage, symbolizing the reward of eternal life or God's grace.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/h/hired_first.htm">Hired First</a></b><br>Those who have been serving God for a long time, possibly representing the Jewish people or long-time believers.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_grace.htm">God's Sovereignty and Grace</a></b><br>God's ways are not our ways; His grace is given according to His will, not human merit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/equality_in_the_kingdom.htm">Equality in the Kingdom</a></b><br>The reward of eternal life is the same for all believers, regardless of when they come to faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guard_against_envy.htm">Guard Against Envy</a></b><br>Believers should rejoice in the salvation of others and avoid comparing their spiritual journey with others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_justice.htm">Trust in God's Justice</a></b><br>Trust that God is just and fair, even when His actions do not align with human expectations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/focus_on_faithfulness.htm">Focus on Faithfulness</a></b><br>Our focus should be on being faithful in the work God has given us, rather than on the rewards.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'first_will_be_last'_mean.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'first will be last'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_equal_pay_for_latecomers_in_matthew_20.htm">Matthew 20:1-16 - If God is perfectly just, why would He reward latecomers the same as those who worked all day?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_many_blind_men_healed_near_jericho.htm">How many blind men did Jesus heal near Jericho? (Matthew 20:30 vs. Mark 10:46)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_pay_latecomers_like_early_workers.htm">Why should latecomers receive equal pay as early workers?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10) <span class= "bld">But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more.</span>--Up to this time we may think of the disciples as having listened with an eager interest, yet only half-perceiving, if at all, the drift of the parable, looking, it may be, for some payment to the first-called labourers proportionate to the duration of their service. Now, unless they were altogether blind, they must have seen their own thoughts reflected in the parable. They too, as their question showed, had been expecting to receive more. Eternal life was not enough for them, without some special prerogative and precedence over others. The fact that the first labourers <span class= "ital">were</span> paid their wages gives a touch of gentleness to what would otherwise have seemed the severity of the parable. The presence of a self-righteous, self-seeking spirit mars the full blessedness of content; but if the work has been done, it does not deprive men altogether of their reward. The labourers who murmured are, in this respect, in the same position as the elder son in the parable of the Prodigal, who was told, in answer to his complaints, that all that his father had was his (<a href="/luke/15-31.htm" title="And he said to him, Son, you are ever with me, and all that I have is yours.">Luke 15:31</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They supposed that they should have received more.</span> The text varies between <span class="greek">πλεῖον</span> (<span class="accented">plus</span>, Vulgate) and <span class="greek">πλείονα</span>, the former implying "a greater sum" than the stated hire, the latter hinting indefinitely at "more" things, more in number. Seeing the liberal payment given to the others, they expected some increase in the wages offered to themselves, or an additional remuneration of some kind. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/20-10.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">So when</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">οἱ</span> <span class="translit">(hoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">original [workers]</span><br /><span class="grk">πρῶτοι</span> <span class="translit">(prōtoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4413.htm">Strong's 4413: </a> </span><span class="str2">First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">came,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐλθόντες</span> <span class="translit">(elthontes)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come, go. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">they assumed</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐνόμισαν</span> <span class="translit">(enomisan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3543.htm">Strong's 3543: </a> </span><span class="str2">From nomos; properly, to do by law, i.e. To accustom; by extension, to deem or regard.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they would receive</span><br /><span class="grk">λήμψονται</span> <span class="translit">(lēmpsontai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2983.htm">Strong's 2983: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">more.</span><br /><span class="grk">πλεῖον</span> <span class="translit">(pleion)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular - Comparative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4119.htm">Strong's 4119: </a> </span><span class="str2">Or neuter pleion, or pleon comparative of polus; more in quantity, number, or quality; also the major portion.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">each</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀνὰ</span> <span class="translit">(ana)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_303.htm">Strong's 303: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary preposition and adverb; properly, up; but used severally, or at.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of them</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοί</span> <span class="translit">(autoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 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">also</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">received</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔλαβον</span> <span class="translit">(elabon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2983.htm">Strong's 2983: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">a denarius.</span><br /><span class="grk">δηνάριον</span> <span class="translit">(dēnarion)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative 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/20-10.htm">Matthew 20:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/20-10.htm">Matthew 20:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/20-10.htm">Matthew 20:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/20-10.htm">Matthew 20:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/20-10.htm">Matthew 20:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/20-10.htm">Matthew 20:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/20-10.htm">Matthew 20:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/20-10.htm">Matthew 20:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/20-10.htm">Matthew 20:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/20-10.htm">Matthew 20:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/20-10.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 20:10 When the first came they supposed that (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/20-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 20:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 20:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/20-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 20:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 20:11" /></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>