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?

MATTHEW 20:6KJV
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Matthew 20:6 (KJV)

What does Matthew 20:6 mean?

Matthew 20:6 describes how, late in the day, the landowner in Jesus’ story finds more people standing around without work and asks them why they have been idle all day. The verse highlights that even near the end of the workday, the landowner is still seeking out those who have not yet been hired.

In this part of the parable, Jesus is telling a story where a landowner hires workers for his vineyard at different times throughout the day. The “eleventh hour” means it is almost evening, so there is little time left to work. The landowner’s question to those still waiting—why they have been idle—sets up the next part of the story, where he offers them work even at the last moment.

The Greek behind Matthew 20:6

  • The word for “eleventh” (ἑνδεκάτη, hendekátē) shows that this is very late in the day, about one hour before sunset, emphasizing how unexpected it is to hire workers so late.
  • The term for “idle” (ἀργός, argos) means not just “unemployed” but “inactive” or “without purpose,” suggesting these people have been overlooked or left out all day.
  • The verb “found” (εὗρεν, heuren) indicates the landowner is actively searching, not just stumbling upon these people, which highlights his initiative and concern.

Why Matthew 20:6 matters

  • This verse shows the landowner’s persistence in seeking workers, even when it seems too late, which prepares the reader for the surprising generosity that follows in the parable.
  • The landowner’s question draws attention to those who have been left out, hinting that everyone is given an opportunity, regardless of when they are called.
  • Understanding the timing and the repeated mention of “idle” helps clarify the parable’s message about inclusion and the unexpected nature of grace in the wider story.

Where else these words appear

“eleventh” Greek G1734 · used in 3 verses

  • Matthew 20:9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
  • Revelation 21:20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

“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 20:3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
  • Titus 1:12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

“here” Greek G5602 · used in 56 verses

  • Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
  • Mark 9:5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
  • Luke 23:5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.

“all” Greek G3650 · used in 99 verses

  • Matthew 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
  • Mark 15:33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
  • Acts 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: