Matthew 20:5 (KJV)

What does Matthew 20:5 mean?

Matthew 20:5 describes how the landowner in Jesus’ parable went out again at about noon (“the sixth hour”) and 3 p.m. (“the ninth hour”) and hired more workers for his vineyard, just as he had done earlier in the day. The verse shows that the landowner continued to invite people to work at different times throughout the day.

In this part of the parable, Jesus is telling a story to his disciples about a vineyard owner who repeatedly seeks out laborers. The setting is a typical workday in ancient Israel, where the “hours” refer to times counted from sunrise. The verse highlights the landowner’s ongoing effort to bring in workers, which sets up the later point about how all workers, no matter when they started, are treated generously.

The Greek behind Matthew 20:5

• “Again” (πάλιν, palin) signals that the landowner’s actions are repeated, emphasizing his persistence in seeking workers.
• “Sixth” (ἕκτη, hektē) and “ninth” (ἐνάτη, enatē) refer to hours counted from sunrise, so these are about noon and 3 p.m., showing that the invitation to work comes even late in the day.
• “Did likewise” (ἐποίησεν ὡσαύτως, epoiēsen hōsautōs) means the landowner acted in the same way as before, making clear that each group of workers was approached and hired under similar terms.

Why Matthew 20:5 matters

• Matthew 20:5 helps clarify that the opportunity to join the work was not limited to those who started early; the landowner kept inviting new workers throughout the day.
• This verse prepares the reader for the surprise later in the parable, where all workers receive the same wage, regardless of when they started.
• The detail about hiring at multiple times underscores the landowner’s generosity and the inclusive nature of his invitation, which is a key point in Jesus’ teaching.