Matthew 20:13 Meaning Explained

Matthew 20:13

But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?

English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus directly addresses the disgruntled laborer not with affection, but with a stark reminder of the original agreement. The word "friend" here doesn't imply warmth, but rather a neutral address to someone making a baseless claim, highlighting that the issue isn't unfairness from the master, but the laborer's own warped perspective.

What Matthew 20:13 means

Jesus tells a parable comparing the Kingdom of Heaven to a landowner hiring workers for his vineyard. After paying those hired last the full day's wage, the first workers hired complain because they receive the same amount despite working longer hours. Jesus, through the landowner, directly addresses the complaint, reminding the disgruntled worker of their initial agreement.

The Contract and the Kingdom's Kindness

Why does the master bring up the agreement at all? Isn't there more to the story than just the payment?

The householder’s first response to the grumbling laborers is to remind them of their agreement: "Did you not agree with me for a denarius?"

The Agreement:

This points to the specific deal made with the first group of workers. They agreed to a day's labor for a day's wage.
From a purely contractual standpoint, the master fulfilled his end of the bargain. He owes them nothing more than what was agreed upon.

Beyond the Contract:

The master could have stopped there. He fulfilled his obligation. But the parable isn't just about contracts; it's about the kingdom of heaven.
The master’s subsequent actions—paying the latecomers the same wage—reveal a generosity that goes beyond mere fairness. It highlights God's willingness to bless freely, not just to pay what is strictly owed.

The 'Evil Eye' of Envy

What does it mean to have an 'evil eye,' and why is it so destructive in God's kingdom?

The master's pointed question, "Is your eye evil because I am good?" (Matthew 20:15), gets to the heart of the first laborers' complaint. This isn't about the amount of money; it's about their attitude towards God's goodness.

What is an 'Evil Eye'?

This phrase doesn't refer to a literal eye problem. It describes a disposition characterized by envy, bitterness, and resentment.
It's the attitude of someone who begrudges others their blessings, especially when those blessings come from God's generosity.
It sees God's kindness to others not as a cause for rejoicing, but as an injustice to oneself.

Understand the original words

Original language

Friendἑταῖρε

hetairos · Greek Noun

An address used in the Gospels, sometimes representing a common greeting or, in contexts of judgment, a term used to expose the hypocrisy or distance of the person addressed.

wrongἀδικέω

adikeō · Greek Verb

An injustice or unfair dealing; acting in a way that violates a covenant or a standard of righteousness.

denariusδηνάριον

dēnarion · Greek Noun

A Roman silver coin, typically considered a standard daily wage for a laborer in the first century.

Historical context

Written: Around 60-70 AD
Author: Matthew the Apostle, traditionally understood, though some scholars suggest another.
Location: Galilee, likely written from Antioch in Syria.
Genre: Gospel narrative with parable; features vivid dialogue and illustrative storytelling.

Historical background

This parable's context highlights the tension between the established Jewish expectation of reward based on long service and obedience, and God's sovereign, generous grace extended to those called later, particularly in light of the coming inclusion of Gentiles into God's kingdom.

Late 8th Century BC
Assyrian Captivity of Northern Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many Israelites and scattering them. This event marks the beginning of a long period of exile and displacement for significant portions of the Israelite people.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Jerusalem, initiating the first major deportation of Judeans, including skilled workers and nobility. This event marks the start of the Babylonian exile.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, the center of Israelite worship. A second, larger deportation follows, devastating the nation and scattering its people.
c. 538 BC
Return from Babylonian Exile
Under the Persian King Cyrus, some Judeans are allowed to return to their homeland and begin rebuilding the Temple. This marks a significant turning point, but not all exiles return.

Key themes

01God's sovereign grace
02Human perception of fairness
03Justice in divine reward
04Agreement and obligation

Cross-references

Luke 10:7

This passage echoes the parable's logic by stating that a worker is worthy of their wages, reinforcing the idea of agreed-upon compensation for labor.

1 Corinthians 4:7

This verse directly addresses the human tendency to boast and claim superiority, a sentiment mirrored by the early laborers who felt entitled to more because of their longer service.

Philippians 2:3

This verse speaks against acting out of selfish ambition or conceit, which is precisely the attitude of the laborers who complained about the fairness of the landowner's generosity.

Romans 11:33

This verse expresses profound awe at God's wisdom and knowledge, aligning with the landowner's freedom to act as he pleases with his own property, which the complaining laborers failed to grasp.

Galatians 3:28

This verse highlights unity and equality in Christ, transcending earthly distinctions, which resonates with the landowner's decision to treat all laborers equally, regardless of their hours worked.

Scholarly commentary

Matthew 20:1-16: "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard."

For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder, who went out at break of day to hire laborers into his vineyard. 2. And having made an agreement with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3. And having gone out about the third hour, he saw others standing idle in the market-place. 4. And he said to them, Go…

calvin

Matthew 20:1-16: "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard."

20:1-16 The direct object of this parable seems to be, to show that though the Jews were first called into the vineyard, at length the gospel should be preached to the Gentiles, and they should be admitted to equal privileges and advantages with the Jews. The parable may also be applied more generally, and shows, 1. That God is debtor t…
henry

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What Matthew 20:13 means

Original language

Friendἑταῖρε

hetairos · Greek Noun

An address used in the Gospels, sometimes representing a common greeting or, in contexts of judgment, a term used to expose the hypocrisy or distance of the person addressed.

wrongἀδικέω

adikeō · Greek Verb

An injustice or unfair dealing; acting in a way that violates a covenant or a standard of righteousness.

denariusδηνάριον

dēnarion · Greek Noun

A Roman silver coin, typically considered a standard daily wage for a laborer in the first century.

Historical background

Late 8th Century BC

Assyrian Captivity of Northern Israel

The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many Israelites and scattering them. This event marks the beginning of a long period of exile and displacement for significant portions of the Israelite people.

605 BC

First Deportation to Babylon

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Jerusalem, initiating the first major deportation of Judeans, including skilled workers and nobility. This event marks the start of the Babylonian exile.

586 BC

Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple

The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, the center of Israelite worship. A second, larger deportation follows, devastating the nation and scattering its people.

c. 538 BC

Return from Babylonian Exile

Under the Persian King Cyrus, some Judeans are allowed to return to their homeland and begin rebuilding the Temple. This marks a significant turning point, but not all exiles return.