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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 20:4 You also go into my vineyard,' he said, 'and I will pay you whatever is right.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/20-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/40_Mat_20_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 20:4 - The Parable of the Workers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You also go into my vineyard,' he said, 'and I will pay you whatever is right.'" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/20-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/20-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/20-3.htm" title="Matthew 20:3">◄</a> Matthew 20:4 <a href="/matthew/20-5.htm" title="Matthew 20:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/matthew/20.htm">New International Version</a> He told them, &#8216You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.&#8217 <a href="/nlt/matthew/20.htm">New Living Translation</a> So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day. <a href="/esv/matthew/20.htm">English Standard Version</a> and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ <a href="/bsb/matthew/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> ‘You also go into my vineyard,’ he said, ‘and I will pay you whatever is right.’ <a href="/blb/matthew/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and to them he said, 'You also go into the vineyard, and I will give you whatever might be right.' <a href="/kjv/matthew/20.htm">King James Bible</a> And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/20.htm">New King James Version</a> and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> and to those he said, ‘You go into the vineyard also, and whatever is right, I will give you.’ And so they went. <a href="/nasb/matthew/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> and to those he said, &#8216You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.&#8217 And so they went. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> and to those he said, ‘You too go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ And so they went. <a href="/lsb/matthew/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> and to those he said, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ And so they went. <a href="/amp/matthew/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right (an appropriate wage).’ And they went. <a href="/csb/matthew/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He said to them, ‘You also go into my vineyard, and I’ll give you whatever is right.’ So off they went. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> To those men he said, You also go to my vineyard, and I&#8217ll give you whatever is right.&#8217 So off they went. <a href="/asv/matthew/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> and to them he said, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. <a href="/cev/matthew/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> He promised to pay them what was fair, if they would work in his vineyard. <a href="/erv/matthew/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> and to them he said, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. <a href="/gwt/matthew/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He said to them, 'Work in my vineyard, and I'll give you whatever is right.' So they went. <a href="/gnt/matthew/20.htm">Good News Translation</a> so he told them, 'You also go and work in the vineyard, and I will pay you a fair wage.' <a href="/isv/matthew/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> He told them, 'You go into the vineyard, too, and I will pay you whatever is right.' <a href="/msb/matthew/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?You also go into my vineyard,? he said, ?and I will pay you whatever is right.? <a href="/net/matthew/20.htm">NET Bible</a> He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too, and I will give you whatever is right.' <a href="/nheb/matthew/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> To them he said, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went their way. <a href="/wbt/matthew/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And said to them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatever is right, I will give you. And they departed. <a href="/wey/matthew/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> To these also he said, "'You also, go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' <a href="/web/matthew/20.htm">World English Bible</a> He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went their way. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and to these he said, Go—also you—to the vineyard, and whatever may be righteous I will give you; <a href="/blb/matthew/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and to them he said, 'You also go into the vineyard, and I will give you whatever might be right.' <a href="/ylt/matthew/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and to these he said, Go ye -- also ye -- to the vineyard, and whatever may be righteous I will give you; <a href="/slt/matthew/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he says to them, Retire ye also into the vineyard, and whatever should be just I will give you: and they departed.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he said to them: Go you also into my vineyard, and I will give you what shall be just. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he said to them, ‘You may go into my vineyard, too, and what I will give you will be just.’ <a href="/nabre/matthew/20.htm">New American Bible</a> and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he said to them, You also go to the vineyard, and I will give you what is right. And they went. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/20.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And he said to them, 'You go also to the vineyard; whatever is appropriate I shall give you.'<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/20.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> and he said to them: Go you also into my vine yard, and whatever is right I will give you. <a href="/godbey/matthew/20.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>and he said to them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they departed.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/20.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And he said to them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatever is equitable, I will give it you. So they went. <a href="/mace/matthew/20.htm">Mace New Testament</a> go ye likewise to my vineyard, and I will give you what is reasonable: accordingly they went thither. <a href="/wey/matthew/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> To these also he said, "'You also, go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' <a href="/worrell/matthew/20.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>and to them he said, 'Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you.' And they went away.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/20.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>and said to them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and what is reasonable I will give you: so they went.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/20-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=5659" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/20.htm">The Parable of the Workers</a> …3About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4<a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymeis (PPro-N2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">‘You</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">also</a> <a href="/greek/5217.htm" title="5217: Hypagete (V-PMA-2P) -- To go away, depart, begone, die. From hupo and ago; to lead under, i.e. Withdraw or retire, literally or figuratively.">go</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">into</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">my</a> <a href="/greek/290.htm" title="290: ampelōna (N-AMS) -- A vineyard. From ampelos; a vineyard.">vineyard,’</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">he said,</a> <a href="/greek/1565.htm" title="1565: ekeinois (DPro-DMP) -- That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed."></a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">‘and</a> <a href="/greek/1325.htm" title="1325: dōsō (V-FIA-1S) -- To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.">I will pay</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: ho (RelPro-NNS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">whatever</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ē (V-PSA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/1342.htm" title="1342: dikaion (Adj-NNS) -- From dike; equitable; by implication, innocent, holy.">right.’</a> 5So they went. He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/19-30.htm">Matthew 19:30</a> But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. <a href="/matthew/20-16.htm">Matthew 20:16</a> So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” <a href="/matthew/21-28.htm">Matthew 21:28-31</a> But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ / ‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went. / Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go. ... <a href="/matthew/22-9.htm">Matthew 22:9-10</a> Go therefore to the crossroads and invite to the banquet as many as you can find.’ / So the servants went out into the streets and gathered everyone they could find, both evil and good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. <a href="/luke/14-21.htm">Luke 14:21-23</a> The servant returned and reported all this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ / ‘Sir,’ the servant replied, ‘what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.’ / So the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. <a href="/luke/15-7.htm">Luke 15:7</a> I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent. <a href="/luke/19-10.htm">Luke 19:10</a> For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” <a href="/john/4-35.htm">John 4:35-38</a> Do you not say, ‘There are still four months until the harvest’? I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest. / Already the reaper draws his wages and gathers a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together. / For in this case the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. ... <a href="/romans/9-30.htm">Romans 9:30-32</a> What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; / but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. / Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, <a href="/romans/11-11.htm">Romans 11:11</a> I ask then, did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Certainly not! However, because of their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27-29</a> 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, / so that no one may boast in His presence. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-17.htm">1 Corinthians 9:17</a> If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility. <a href="/1_corinthians/12-11.htm">1 Corinthians 12:11</a> All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines. <a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Ephesians 2:8-9</a> For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast. <a href="/philippians/2-13.htm">Philippians 2:13</a> For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And said to them; Go you also into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you. And they went their way.Go.<a href="/matthew/9-9.htm">Matthew 9:9</a> And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.<a href="/matthew/21-23.htm">Matthew 21:23-31</a> And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? … <a href="/luke/19-7.htm">Luke 19:7-10</a> And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner… and whatsoever.<a href="/colossians/4-1.htm">Colossians 4:1</a> Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/19-15.htm">Departed</a> <a href="/matthew/19-24.htm">Go</a> <a href="/matthew/20-3.htm">Others</a> <a href="/matthew/20-2.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/matthew/19-3.htm">Right</a> <a href="/matthew/13-49.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/matthew/20-2.htm">Vine-Garden</a> <a href="/matthew/20-2.htm">Vineyard</a> <a href="/matthew/19-12.htm">Way</a> <a href="/matthew/18-25.htm">Whatever</a> <a href="/matthew/18-19.htm">Whatsoever</a> <a href="/matthew/20-1.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/20-29.htm">Departed</a> <a href="/matthew/20-7.htm">Go</a> <a href="/matthew/20-6.htm">Others</a> <a href="/matthew/20-8.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/matthew/20-7.htm">Right</a> <a href="/matthew/20-7.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/matthew/20-8.htm">Vine-Garden</a> <a href="/matthew/20-7.htm">Vineyard</a> <a href="/matthew/20-14.htm">Way</a> <a href="/matthew/20-7.htm">Whatever</a> <a href="/matthew/20-7.htm">Whatsoever</a> <a href="/matthew/20-7.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 20</div>1. <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> 17. <a href="/matthew/20-17.htm">foretells his passion;</a> 20. <a href="/matthew/20-20.htm">by answering the mother of Zebedee's children, teaches his disciples to be humble;</a> 29. <a href="/matthew/20-29.htm">and gives two blind men their sight.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>‘You also go into my vineyard,’ he said, In the context of <a href="/matthew/20.htm">Matthew 20</a>, this phrase is part of the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. The vineyard is a common biblical metaphor for Israel (<a href="/isaiah/5.htm">Isaiah 5:1-7</a>) and God's kingdom. The landowner represents God, who calls people to work in His kingdom. The invitation to "go into my vineyard" signifies God's call to service and participation in His work. This reflects the inclusivity of God's call, extending to all, regardless of the time or circumstances of their calling. The vineyard setting also highlights the agricultural context of first-century Palestine, where vineyards were a significant part of the economy and daily life.‘and I will pay you whatever is right.’ This phrase emphasizes the justice and fairness of God. The landowner's promise to pay "whatever is right" suggests a trust in his integrity and fairness, reflecting God's righteous nature. In the parable, this statement challenges human notions of fairness, as later workers receive the same wage as those who worked all day, illustrating the concept of grace. This mirrors the biblical theme that God's ways are higher than human ways (<a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>). The promise of a fair wage also connects to the broader biblical principle of just compensation for labor (<a href="/leviticus/19-13.htm">Leviticus 19:13</a>; <a href="/james/5-4.htm">James 5:4</a>). The phrase invites reflection on the nature of divine justice and grace, which often surpass human understanding and expectations.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/l/landowner.htm">Landowner</a> Represents God, who is sovereign and just, calling workers into His service. 2. <a href="/topical/v/vineyard.htm">Vineyard</a> Symbolizes the Kingdom of Heaven, where believers are called to labor. 3. <a href="/topical/l/laborers.htm">Laborers</a> Represents believers or those called to serve in God's Kingdom. 4. <a href="/topical/m/marketplace.htm">Marketplace</a> The world where people are waiting for purpose and calling. 5. <a href="/topical/w/wages.htm">Wages</a> Symbolizes the rewards or blessings given by God, which are just and right.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_justice.htm">God's Sovereignty and Justice</a> God, as the landowner, is sovereign in His calling and just in His rewards. We can trust His fairness and timing in our lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_serve.htm">The Call to Serve</a> Every believer is called to work in God's vineyard. Our response should be one of willingness and readiness to serve wherever He places us. <a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_god's_rewards.htm">The Nature of God's Rewards</a> God's rewards are based on His righteousness, not our merit. We should focus on faithfulness rather than comparison with others. <a href="/topical/t/the_urgency_of_the_harvest.htm">The Urgency of the Harvest</a> There is an urgency in the call to work in God's vineyard. We should be proactive in seeking opportunities to serve and share the Gospel. <a href="/topical/c/contentment_in_god's_provision.htm">Contentment in God's Provision</a> Trusting in God's provision and timing leads to contentment. We should avoid envy and trust that God knows what is best for each of us.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 20</a> <a href="/q/why_pay_latecomers_like_early_workers.htm">Why should latecomers receive equal pay as early workers?</a> <a href="/q/why_equal_pay_for_latecomers.htm">Why do latecomers receive equal pay as early workers?</a> <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 href="/q/what_is_utraquism_or_an_utraquist.htm">Is the laborer deserving of his wages?</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>(4) Whatsoever is right.--The absence of a definite contract in hiring the labourers who did less than the day's work obviously involved an implicit trust in the equity of the householder. They did not stipulate for wages, or ask, as the disciples had asked, "What shall we have therefore?" The implied lesson thus suggested is, that a little work done, when God calls us, in the spirit of trust, is better than much done in the spirit of a hireling.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - Ye also; implying that he had already set some to work at fixed wages. Whatsoever is right (δίκαιον); just and fair. He offers these no definite sum as remuneration, assuring them only that he will deal equitably with them; i.e. doubtless, according to their view, that he will give them three quarters of a day's wages, paying them pro rata. But at the end he treats them much more generously. Lightfoot notes that the Talmudists had tracts on the payment and regulation of labourers, and in their canons distinguished between being hired for a day and for some hours. They went their way, quite satisfied to leave their remuneration to the householder, with whom probably they were acquainted. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/20-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>‘You ὑμεῖς (hymeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. also καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. go Ὑπάγετε (Hypagete) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5217.htm">Strong's 5217: </a> To go away, depart, begone, die. From hupo and ago; to lead under, i.e. Withdraw or retire, literally or figuratively. into εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. [my] τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. vineyard,’ ἀμπελῶνα (ampelōna) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_290.htm">Strong's 290: </a> A vineyard. From ampelos; a vineyard. he said, εἶπεν (eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. ‘and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. I will pay δώσω (dōsō) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1325.htm">Strong's 1325: </a> To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. you ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. whatever ὃ (ho) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. is ᾖ (ē) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. right.’ δίκαιον (dikaion) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1342.htm">Strong's 1342: </a> From dike; equitable; by implication, innocent, holy. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/20-4.htm">Matthew 20:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/20-4.htm">Matthew 20:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/20-4.htm">Matthew 20:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/20-4.htm">Matthew 20:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/20-4.htm">Matthew 20:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/20-4.htm">Matthew 20:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/20-4.htm">Matthew 20:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/20-4.htm">Matthew 20:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/20-4.htm">Matthew 20:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/20-4.htm">Matthew 20:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/20-4.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 20:4 To them he said 'You also go (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/20-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 20:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 20:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/20-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 20:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 20:5" /></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>