Matthew 20:8
So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
Original Language Analysis
ὀψίας
when even
G3798
ὀψίας
when even
Strong's:
G3798
Word #:
1 of 26
late; feminine (as noun) afternoon (early eve) or nightfall (later eve)
γενομένης
was come
G1096
γενομένης
was come
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
3 of 26
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
4 of 26
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
the lord
G2962
κύριος
the lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
6 of 26
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 26
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
Κάλεσον
Call
G2564
Κάλεσον
Call
Strong's:
G2564
Word #:
12 of 26
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπόδος
give
G591
ἀπόδος
give
Strong's:
G591
Word #:
16 of 26
to give away, i.e., up, over, back, etc. (in various applications)
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 26
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
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μισθὸν
their hire
G3408
μισθὸν
their hire
Strong's:
G3408
Word #:
19 of 26
pay for service (literally or figuratively), good or bad
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
21 of 26
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἕως
unto
G2193
ἕως
unto
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
24 of 26
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
Historical Context
Jewish law protected day-laborers from exploitation by requiring same-day payment. The master's obedience to Torah contrasts with the early workers' later complaint, showing that legal righteousness and gracious generosity coexist in God's character. The payment order mirrors redemptive history: eleventh-hour Gentiles and sinners receive full Kingdom inheritance alongside faithful Israel.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the master's obedience to Torah's labor laws demonstrate that grace doesn't contradict justice but fulfills it?
- What does the reversed payment order reveal about God's intention to expose and sanctify the early workers' (and our) hearts?
- In what ways does this verse challenge merit-based thinking about salvation, suggesting that God's grace is the great equalizer in the Kingdom?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
So when even was come (ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης, opsias de genomenēs)—Evening marked the workday's end and, according to Mosaic law, the time when day-laborers must be paid (Lev. 19:13, Deut. 24:15). This timing emphasizes the master's legal righteousness and foreshadows eschatological judgment when each receives recompense.
Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first (κάλεσον τοὺς ἐργάτας καὶ ἀπόδος αὐτοῖς τὸν μισθὸν ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ τῶν ἐσχάτων ἕως τῶν πρώτων, kaleson tous ergatas kai apodos autois ton misthon arxamenos apo tōn eschatōn heōs tōn prōtōn)—The reversal of payment order is deliberate and pedagogical. By paying the last first, the master ensures the early-hired workers witness the grace shown to latecomers, testing their reaction. This ordering enacts Jesus's principle: the last shall be first, and the first last (20:16, echoing 19:30).