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.

MATTHEW 20:12KJV
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Matthew 20:12 (KJV)

What does Matthew 20:12 mean?

Matthew 20:12 shows workers complaining that those who worked only one hour were made equal to those who worked all day in the heat and bore the hardest part of the labor. The verse highlights their frustration at receiving the same reward despite their longer and tougher effort.

In this verse, Jesus is telling a parable about laborers hired at different times of the day. The workers who started early are speaking to the landowner, upset that the latecomers received the same pay. The scene emphasizes the sense of unfairness felt by those who believe they deserve more because of their longer service.

The Greek behind Matthew 20:12

  • ἴσους (isous, G2470): This word means "equal." The workers are upset because the landowner has treated the latecomers as equals, despite their shorter hours. This highlights the main tension in the story—equality in reward, not in effort.
  • βάρος (baros, G922): Translated as "burden," this word refers to the weight or hardship of the day's work. The early workers stress the difficulty they endured, which they feel sets them apart.
  • καῦμα (kauma, G2742): This word means "heat," specifically the scorching heat of the day. It adds vivid detail to the complaint, showing the physical toll the early workers experienced.

Why Matthew 20:12 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the emotional response of the early workers, making the parable’s lesson about fairness and generosity more relatable and vivid.
  • The verse draws attention to the idea of equality in the kingdom of heaven, challenging common assumptions about reward based on effort or time served.
  • By focusing on the workers’ complaint, Matthew 20:12 sets up the landowner’s response, which reveals the deeper message of the parable about God’s grace.

Where else these words appear

“heat” Greek G2742 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 12:55 And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.
  • James 1:11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

“burden” Greek G922 · used in 6 verses

  • Acts 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
  • 2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

“equal” Greek G2470 · used in 8 verses

  • Mark 14:56 For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.
  • Luke 6:34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
  • Acts 11:17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

“borne” Greek G941 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
  • John 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
  • Romans 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.