Matthew 20:2 Meaning and Explanation
“And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The landowner settles with the first workers on a fair daily wage and sends them into his vineyard.
What Does Matthew 20:2 Mean?
A penny here renders the denarius, the standard wage for a full day of common labor. The master and these first workers strike an open agreement; the terms are clear and just, and the laborers go out knowing exactly what they will receive. This sets the baseline against which everything else in the parable will be measured.
Notice that the relationship begins with a promise. The master binds himself by his word, and the workers trust that word enough to spend their whole strength in the field. So it is with God, who does not deal with His people by guesswork but by covenant. What He has agreed to give, He will give. The day's labor is offered in confidence that the master can be relied upon.
Matthew 20:2 in the Original Language
denarion (δηνάριον), 'penny' -- a Roman silver coin equal to a laborer's wage for one day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 20:2
What does Matthew 20:2 mean?
The landowner settles with the first workers on a fair daily wage and sends them into his vineyard.