And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

MATTHEW 20:3KJV
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Matthew 20:3 (KJV)

What does Matthew 20:3 mean?

Matthew 20:3 describes the landowner going out around the third hour of the day and seeing other people standing around doing nothing in the marketplace. This verse shows the landowner actively seeking more workers for his vineyard, not just relying on those he hired earlier.

In this parable, Jesus is telling a story to His disciples about a landowner hiring workers at different times of the day. The "third hour" would be about 9 a.m. by Jewish timekeeping. The marketplace was a common place for day laborers to wait for work, so the landowner finds more people there who have not yet been hired.

The Greek behind Matthew 20:3

  • ἀργοὺς (argos, "idle"): This word means "not working" or "unemployed." It highlights that these people were not lazy but simply had not been hired yet.
  • ἐν ἀγορᾷ (en agora, "in the marketplace"): The Greek word for marketplace refers to the central public place where people gathered, especially those seeking work. This detail grounds the story in everyday life and shows the openness of the hiring process.
  • ἑστῶτας (hestōtas, "standing"): This word suggests they were ready and available, not sitting or hiding, but waiting for an opportunity.

Why Matthew 20:3 matters

  • Matthew 20:3 shows the landowner’s initiative and fairness, seeking out workers who had not yet been given a chance, which sets up the parable’s later themes about generosity and equality.
  • The verse clarifies that the "idle" workers were not unwilling to work; they simply had not yet been hired, which addresses possible misunderstandings about their character.
  • This moment connects to the broader message of the parable, where those hired later in the day receive the same wage as those hired earlier, challenging common ideas about merit and reward.

Where else these words appear

“idle” Greek G692 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
  • Matthew 20:6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
  • Titus 1:12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

“marketplace” Greek G58 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 11:16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
  • Mark 7:4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
  • Luke 11:43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

“third” Greek G5154 · used in 49 verses

  • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
  • Luke 20:31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

“hour” Greek G5610 · used in 100 verses

  • Matthew 8:13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
  • Luke 7:21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
  • John 16:32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.