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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/matthew/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And having gone out about the third hour, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the market place;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the market place;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And he went out about the third hour (9:00 a.m.) and saw others standing idle in the market place;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When he went out about nine in the morning, he saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When he went out about nine in the morning, he saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing in the marketplace idle;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />About nine that morning, the man saw some other people standing in the market with nothing to do. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing in the marketplace idle;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />About 9 a.m. he saw others standing in the marketplace without work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He went out again to the marketplace at nine o'clock and saw some men standing there doing nothing, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When he went out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing in the marketplace without work. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When it was about nine o'clock in the morning, he went out again and saw others standing around in the marketplace without work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He went out about nine in the morning, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market-place,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />About nine o'clock he went out and saw others loitering in the market-place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And having gone forth about the third hour, he saw others standing in the marketplace idle,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And having gone out about the third hour, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And having gone forth about the third hour, he saw others standing in the market-place idle,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And having gone out about the third hour, he saw others standing idle in the market-place,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And going about the third hour, he saw others standing in the market place idle. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he went out at the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market place.<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 he went out at the third hour and saw others who were standing in the marketplace and were idle.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/20.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing in the market, idle;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/20.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>And having gone out about the third hour, he saw others standing idle in the forum:<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/20.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing in the market place unemployed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/20.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market-place, and said to them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />About nine o'clock he went out and saw others loitering in the market-place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/20.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>"And, going forth about the third hour, he saw others standing in the marketplace idle;<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/20.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>and going out about the third hour he saw others standing in the market-place doing nothing,<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/20-3.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=5653" 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">2</span>He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.">About</a> <a href="/greek/5154.htm" title="5154: tritēn (Adj-AFS) -- Third. Ordinal from treis; third; neuter a third part, or a third time, thirdly.">the third</a> <a href="/greek/5610.htm" title="5610: hōran (N-AFS) -- Apparently a primary word; an hour.">hour</a> <a href="/greek/1831.htm" title="1831: exelthōn (V-APA-NMS) -- To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.">he went out</a> <a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: eiden (V-AIA-3S) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">and saw</a> <a href="/greek/243.htm" title="243: allous (Adj-AMP) -- Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; else, i.e. Different.">others</a> <a href="/greek/2476.htm" title="2476: hestōtas (V-RPA-AMP) -- A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.">standing</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- 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/58.htm" title="58: agora (N-DFS) -- From ageiro; properly, the town-square; by implication, a market or thoroughfare.">marketplace</a> <a href="/greek/692.htm" title="692: argous (Adj-AMP) -- Idle, lazy, thoughtless, unprofitable, injurious. (by implication) lazy, useless.">doing nothing.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">4</span>‘You also go into my vineyard,’ he said, ‘and I will pay you whatever is right.’…<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/9-9.htm">Matthew 9:9</a></span><br />As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-18.htm">Matthew 4:18-22</a></span><br />As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. / “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” / And at once they left their nets and followed Him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-16.htm">Mark 1:16-20</a></span><br />As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. / “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” / And at once they left their nets and followed Him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/5-27.htm">Luke 5:27-28</a></span><br />After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, / and Levi got up, left everything, and followed Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-35.htm">John 1:35-42</a></span><br />The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. / When he saw Jesus walking by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” / And when the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-3.htm">Acts 9:3-6</a></span><br />As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. / He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” / “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/22-6.htm">Acts 22:6-10</a></span><br />About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. / I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’ / ‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/26-12.htm">Acts 26:12-18</a></span><br />In this pursuit I was on my way to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. / About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions. / We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-26.htm">1 Corinthians 1:26-29</a></span><br />Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. / But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-5.htm">James 2:5</a></span><br />Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-1.htm">Exodus 3:1-4</a></span><br />Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. / There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed. / So Moses thought, “I must go over and see this marvelous sight. Why is the bush not burning up?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-11.htm">1 Samuel 16:11-12</a></span><br />And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” / So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/19-19.htm">1 Kings 19:19-21</a></span><br />So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him. / So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?” / So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. Using the oxen’s equipment for fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-15.htm">2 Chronicles 36:15-16</a></span><br />Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. / But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-8.htm">Isaiah 6:8</a></span><br />Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,</p><p class="hdg">the third.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/15-25.htm">Mark 15:25</a></b></br> And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/2-15.htm">Acts 2:15</a></b></br> For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is <i>but</i> the third hour of the day.</p><p class="hdg">standing.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/20-6.htm">Matthew 20:6,7</a></b></br> 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? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/11-16.htm">Matthew 11:16,17</a></b></br> But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/19-15.htm">Proverbs 19:15</a></b></br> Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/20-1.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/matthew/18-1.htm">Hour</a> <a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Idle</a> <a href="/matthew/20-6.htm">Loitering</a> <a href="/matthew/11-16.htm">Market</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-24.htm">Marketplace</a> <a href="/acts/17-17.htm">Market-Place</a> <a href="/matthew/18-13.htm">Nine</a> <a href="/acts/10-3.htm">O'clock</a> <a href="/matthew/19-12.htm">Others</a> <a href="/matthew/16-28.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/matthew/17-23.htm">Third</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/20-5.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/matthew/20-5.htm">Hour</a> <a href="/matthew/20-6.htm">Idle</a> <a href="/matthew/20-6.htm">Loitering</a> <a href="/matthew/23-7.htm">Market</a> <a href="/mark/7-4.htm">Marketplace</a> <a href="/mark/7-4.htm">Market-Place</a> <a href="/mark/15-25.htm">Nine</a> <a href="/matthew/20-5.htm">O'clock</a> <a href="/matthew/20-4.htm">Others</a> <a href="/matthew/20-6.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/matthew/20-19.htm">Third</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>About the third hour</b><br>The "third hour" refers to approximately 9:00 AM in Jewish timekeeping, which began at sunrise around 6:00 AM. This time reference is significant in understanding the workday in ancient Israel, which typically started early in the morning. The third hour was still early enough for laborers to be hired and complete a full day's work. This timing also reflects the urgency and diligence of the landowner, who is eager to gather workers for his vineyard, symbolizing God's kingdom and His call to service.<p><b>he went out</b><br>The landowner's action of going out himself indicates a proactive and personal approach. This reflects the character of God, who actively seeks out individuals to participate in His work. It emphasizes the initiative of God in reaching out to humanity, rather than waiting for people to come to Him. This mirrors the biblical theme of God as the Good Shepherd who seeks out His sheep.<p><b>and saw others standing</b><br>The act of seeing others standing suggests awareness and compassion. The landowner notices those who are idle, indicating his concern for their well-being and potential. This can be seen as a reflection of God's omniscience and His ability to see the needs and potential of every individual. It also highlights the theme of divine selection and calling, where God sees beyond the surface to the heart and potential of a person.<p><b>in the marketplace</b><br>The marketplace was a central location in ancient towns where people gathered for trade and employment. It was common for day laborers to wait there in hopes of being hired. This setting underscores the reality of economic uncertainty and the dependence of laborers on the mercy of employers. The marketplace serves as a metaphor for the world, where people are waiting for purpose and direction, and God calls them into His service.<p><b>doing nothing</b><br>The phrase "doing nothing" indicates idleness, not necessarily by choice but due to lack of opportunity. It reflects the human condition of spiritual idleness without God's intervention. This highlights the grace of God, who calls individuals not based on their merit or activity but out of His generosity and desire to give purpose. It also connects to the broader biblical theme of God providing for those who are unable to provide for themselves, as seen in the provision of manna in the wilderness or Jesus feeding the 5,000.<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, calling workers into His vineyard at different times.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/marketplace.htm">Marketplace</a></b><br>Symbolizes the world where people are waiting for purpose and calling.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/w/workers.htm">Workers</a></b><br>Individuals called by God to serve in His kingdom, representing believers at various stages of their spiritual journey.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/v/vineyard.htm">Vineyard</a></b><br>Represents the Kingdom of God, where believers are called to labor and serve.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/third_hour.htm">Third Hour</a></b><br>Refers to approximately 9 a.m. in Jewish timekeeping, indicating the landowner's continued pursuit of workers.<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 initiates the call to service, demonstrating His sovereignty and grace in choosing workers for His vineyard.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_serve.htm">The Call to Serve</a></b><br>Believers are called to be active participants in God's kingdom, responding to His invitation to work in His vineyard.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purpose_and_timing.htm">Purpose and Timing</a></b><br>God's timing in calling individuals to serve is perfect, and He has a purpose for each person at every stage of life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/diligence_in_service.htm">Diligence in Service</a></b><br>We are encouraged to be diligent and faithful in our service, recognizing that our labor is for the Lord and not in vain.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_the_body_of_christ.htm">Unity in the Body of Christ</a></b><br>Regardless of when we are called, we are united in purpose and mission, working together for the glory of God.<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/why_equal_pay_for_latecomers.htm">Why do latecomers receive equal pay as early workers?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_day_14_teach_in_journey.htm">What events transpired during the crucifixion of Jesus?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_capitalism.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on capitalism?</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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">About the third hour.</span>--Reckoning the day after the Jewish mode, as beginning at 6 A.M., this would bring us to 8 A.M. The "market-place" of a town was the natural place in which the seekers for casual labour were to be found waiting for employment. In the meaning which underlies the parable we may see a reference to those who, like St. Matthew (<a href="/matthew/9-9.htm" title="And as Jesus passed forth from there, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said to him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.">Matthew 9:9</a>) and the disciples called in <a href="/context/matthew/8-19.htm" title="And a certain scribe came, and said to him, Master, I will follow you wherever you go.">Matthew 8:19-22</a>, were summoned after the sons of Jonas and of Zebedee.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The third hour.</span> It seems that at this time the Jews divided the day, reckoned between sunrise and sunset, into twelve equal parts, the length of these divisions varying according to the season. The day in Palestine at longest consisted of fourteen European hours twelve minutes, and at shortest of nine hours forty-eight minutes, so that the difference between the longest and shortest division of the so called Jewish "hour" was twenty-two minutes. It is usual to consider the Hebrew day as lasting from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., the sixth hour corresponding to our noon, the first hour being 7 o'clock and the third 9 a.m. This estimate, though not absolutely correct, is near enough to the fact to serve all expository purposes. The four periods mentioned in the parable are quarters of the working day, in which a proportional part of the day's wages might be earned. <span class="cmt_word">Standing idle in the marketplace.</span> The Greek agora, the Roman forum, and the Eastern marketplace, was the usual place where idlers and expectant labourers gathered together. Such a scene may often nowadays be witnessed in Oriental cities, and indeed at our own docks, and in many of our small country towns. It must be supposed that the labourers now hired either were not present when the householder first went forth, or that they had then rejected his offer, but now thought better of it. And so, in the case of the others later on. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/20-3.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">About</span><br /><span class="grk">περὶ</span> <span class="translit">(peri)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4012.htm">Strong's 4012: </a> </span><span class="str2">From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the third</span><br /><span class="grk">τρίτην</span> <span class="translit">(tritēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5154.htm">Strong's 5154: </a> </span><span class="str2">Third. Ordinal from treis; third; neuter a third part, or a third time, thirdly.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hour</span><br /><span class="grk">ὥραν</span> <span class="translit">(hōran)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5610.htm">Strong's 5610: </a> </span><span class="str2">Apparently a primary word; an 'hour'.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he went out</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐξελθὼν</span> <span class="translit">(exelthōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1831.htm">Strong's 1831: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and] saw</span><br /><span class="grk">εἶδεν</span> <span class="translit">(eiden)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> </span><span class="str2">Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">others</span><br /><span class="grk">ἄλλους</span> <span class="translit">(allous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_243.htm">Strong's 243: </a> </span><span class="str2">Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. Different.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">standing</span><br /><span class="grk">ἑστῶτας</span> <span class="translit">(hestōtas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2476.htm">Strong's 2476: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τῇ</span> <span class="translit">(tē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Dative Feminine Singular<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">marketplace</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀγορᾷ</span> <span class="translit">(agora)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_58.htm">Strong's 58: </a> </span><span class="str2">From ageiro; properly, the town-square; by implication, a market or thoroughfare.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">without anything to do.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀργούς</span> <span class="translit">(argous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_692.htm">Strong's 692: </a> </span><span class="str2">Idle, lazy, thoughtless, unprofitable, injurious. (by implication) lazy, useless.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/20-3.htm">Matthew 20:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/20-3.htm">Matthew 20:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/20-3.htm">Matthew 20:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/20-3.htm">Matthew 20:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/20-3.htm">Matthew 20:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/20-3.htm">Matthew 20:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/20-3.htm">Matthew 20:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/20-3.htm">Matthew 20:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/20-3.htm">Matthew 20:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/20-3.htm">Matthew 20:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/20-3.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 20:3 He went out about the third hour (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/20-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 20:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 20:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/20-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 20:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 20:4" /></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>