What does Matthew 20:7 mean?
"They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive." - Matthew 20:7

The Bible verse Matthew 20:7 from the King James Version states, "They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive."
This passage is part of the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, found in Matthew 20:1-16. In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a landowner who goes out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Throughout the day, he goes out and hires more laborers, even up to the eleventh hour. When it comes time to pay the workers, those who were hired last are paid the same amount as those who were hired first. This causes the laborers who were hired first to grumble and complain, but the landowner reminds them that they agreed upon a fair wage and that it is his right to be generous with his own money.
The central theme of this parable is the generosity and fairness of God. Through this story, Jesus is teaching his disciples (and us) about the nature of God's grace and the kingdom of heaven. The landowner in the parable represents God, and the laborers represent those who are called to work in his kingdom. The landowner's actions reflect God's grace and generosity, which are not dependent on human merit or effort. Instead, God freely gives his grace and salvation to all who are willing to accept it, regardless of their status or the timing of their acceptance.
The parable also highlights the concept of God's sovereignty and the idea that he has the right to distribute his gifts and blessings as he sees fit. The landowner's response to the grumbling workers shows that it is not for us to question or be envious of God's grace and blessings. Instead, we should be grateful for the opportunity to participate in his kingdom and trust in his fairness and goodness.
Another important theme in this passage is the idea of equality and justice. The landowner's decision to pay all the workers the same wage, regardless of when they were hired, challenges the conventional notions of fairness and redefines the concept of justice. In the kingdom of God, all are equal in their worth and all are deserving of the same grace and salvation. This challenges human ideas of merit and deservingness, and emphasizes the importance of humility and gratitude in receiving God's gifts.
The context of this parable is key to understanding its significance. In the preceding chapter, Peter asks Jesus what the disciples will receive for following him. Jesus responds by saying that those who have left everything behind to follow him will receive a hundredfold in the kingdom of God, but that many who are first will be last, and the last will be first (Matthew 19:27-30). This sets the stage for the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, as it illustrates the reversal of human expectations and the radical nature of God's grace.
Symbolically, the vineyard in the parable represents the kingdom of God, and the laborers represent all who are called to participate in it. The landowner's actions symbolize God's generous and impartial nature, while the grumbling workers symbolize human tendencies towards envy, pride, and a limited understanding of grace.
In conclusion, the Bible verse Matthew 20:7, as part of the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, serves as a powerful reminder of God's grace, generosity, and sovereignty. It challenges our human notions of fairness and deservingness, and calls us to embrace humility, gratitude, and trust in God's goodness. This parable invites us to reflect on our attitudes towards God's grace and the way we treat others in the kingdom of God, reminding us that God's ways are not our ways, and His grace is not something to be earned, but received with humble gratitude.
Have questions about Matthew 20:7?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat β an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Matthew 20:7 Artwork
Matthew 20:7 - "They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive."
"They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive." - Matthew 20:7
Matthew 7:20 - "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." - Matthew 7:20
Matthew 18:20
Matthew 17:20
matthew 20:3
Matthew 18:20
Matthew 18:20
Matthew 17:20
Matthew 7:7
matthew 5 13-20
Matthew 28:19-20
Matthew 20:29-34
Matthew 28:19-20
Matthew 28: 19-20
Matthew 28:19-20
Matthew 15 : 1-20
Matthew 20:20 - "ΒΆ Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him."
Matthew 4:20 - "And they straightway left their nets, and followed him."
Matthew 7:13-14
Matthew 7:13-14
Matthew 7:13-14
Matthew 7:13-14
Matthew 7:13-14
Matthew 7:13-14
Matthew 7:13-14
Matthew 7:13-14
Matthew 7:13-14
Matthew 7:13-14