Matthew 20:12
Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
Original Language Analysis
λέγοντες
Saying
G3004
λέγοντες
Saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 22
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
G3754
Οὗτοι
These
G3778
Οὗτοι
These
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
3 of 22
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
τὸν
which
G3588
τὸν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐποίησας
have wrought
G4160
ἐποίησας
have wrought
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
8 of 22
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐποίησας
have wrought
G4160
ἐποίησας
have wrought
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
13 of 22
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
τὸν
which
G3588
τὸν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βαστάσασιν
have borne
G941
βαστάσασιν
have borne
Strong's:
G941
Word #:
15 of 22
to lift, literally or figuratively (endure, declare, sustain, receive, etc.)
τὸν
which
G3588
τὸν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βάρος
the burden
G922
βάρος
the burden
Strong's:
G922
Word #:
17 of 22
weight; in the new testament only, figuratively, a load, abundance, authority
τὸν
which
G3588
τὸν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέρας
of the day
G2250
ἡμέρας
of the day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
19 of 22
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
Palestinian summers were brutally hot, with midday temperatures exceeding 100°F. The burden and heat were real physical suffering. Yet Jesus's parable uses this to illustrate that those who bear greater hardship don't thereby earn superior status. In the Kingdom, the crown of righteousness is gift, not wages—received equally by all who finish the race, whether they ran decades or days (2 Tim. 4:7-8).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the early workers' resentment of 'equal' treatment expose the human tendency to view suffering and service as merit-earning rather than grace-enabled responses?
- What does this verse reveal about the danger of comparing your spiritual journey's difficulty with others', using hardship as grounds for superior status?
- In what ways does the complaint 'thou hast made them equal unto us' mirror the elder brother's resentment in Luke 15, and what does this teach about religious self-righteousness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Saying, These last have wrought but one hour (λέγοντες ὅτι οὗτοι οἱ ἔσχατοι μίαν ὥραν ἐποίησαν, legontes hoti houtoi hoi eschatoi mian hōran epoiēsan)—The workers' complaint emphasizes the disparity: one hour versus a full day. Their calculation is mathematically accurate but spiritually blind. They reduce Kingdom service to time-tracking and merit-accumulation, precisely the mindset Jesus seeks to dismantle. The contemptuous phrase these last (οὗτοι οἱ ἔσχατοι, houtoi hoi eschatoi) reveals disdain for eleventh-hour laborers.
And thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day (καὶ ἴσους ἡμῖν αὐτοὺς ἐποίησας τοῖς βαστάσασιν τὸ βάρος τῆς ἡμέρας καὶ τὸν καύσωνα, kai isous hēmin autous epoiēsas tois bastasasin to baros tēs hēmeras kai ton kausōna)—Their offense is equal (ἴσος, isos) treatment. The burden (βάρος, baros, heavy weight) and scorching heat (καύσων, kausōn, burning heat) describe legitimate hardship, yet their complaint reveals they view service as drudgery, not privilege. They want hierarchical reward structure, but the master's grace abolishes such categories.