So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

MATTHEW 20:8KJV
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Matthew 20:8 (KJV)

What does Matthew 20:8 mean?

Matthew 20:8 describes the owner of a vineyard instructing his steward to call the workers at the end of the day and pay them their wages, starting with those who were hired last and ending with those who were hired first. This sets the stage for a lesson about fairness and generosity in how rewards are given.

In this verse, Jesus is telling a parable to his disciples. The "lord of the vineyard" represents the owner, and the "steward" is the manager responsible for paying the workers. The instruction to pay the last workers first is unusual and draws attention to the order of payment, which becomes important for the point Jesus is making in the story.

The Greek behind Matthew 20:8

  • κύριος (kyrios, "lord"): This word means "master" or "owner" and highlights the authority of the vineyard owner in the story.
  • ἐπίτροπος (epitropos, "steward"): This term refers to a manager or overseer, showing that the owner delegates the task of paying the workers.
  • μισθός (misthos, "hire" or "wages"): This word means the agreed-upon payment for work done, emphasizing the fairness expected in labor agreements.
  • ἔσχατος (eschatos, "last") and πρῶτος (protos, "first"): These words mean "last" and "first," and the order in which the workers are paid is central to the parable’s message about expectations and grace.

Why Matthew 20:8 matters

  • Matthew 20:8 highlights the reversal of expectations by having the last workers paid first, preparing the reader for the surprising outcome of the parable.
  • The verse emphasizes the authority of the vineyard owner, who decides both the order and the amount of payment, pointing to a deeper lesson about God's sovereignty.
  • This detail connects to the wider theme in Matthew 20, where Jesus teaches about the kingdom of heaven and challenges common ideas about merit and reward.

Where else these words appear

“steward” Greek G2012 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 8:3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
  • Galatians 4:2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

“even” Greek G3798 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 8:16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
  • Matthew 26:20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
  • Mark 11:11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.

“labourers” Greek G2040 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
  • Matthew 20:2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

“vineyard” Greek G290 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 20:1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
  • Matthew 21:39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
  • Luke 13:6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.