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Matthew 20

Matt. 20:1 KJV (With Strong’s)

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1
For
gar (Greek #1063)
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
KJV usage: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Pronounce: gar
Origin: a primary particle
the kingdom
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
basileia (Greek #932)
properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: kingdom, + reign.
Pronounce: bas-il-i'-ah
Origin: from 935
of heaven
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
ouranos (Greek #3772)
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity)
KJV usage: air, heaven(-ly), sky.
Pronounce: oo-ran-os'
Origin: perhaps from the same as 3735 (through the idea of elevation)
is
esti (Greek #2076)
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
KJV usage: are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
Pronounce: es-tee'
Origin: third person singular present indicative of 1510
like
homoios (Greek #3664)
similar (in appearance or character)
KJV usage: like, + manner.
Pronounce: hom'-oy-os
Origin: from the base of 3674
unto a man
anthropos (Greek #444)
man-faced, i.e. a human being
KJV usage: certain, man.
Pronounce: anth'-ro-pos
Origin: from 435 and ὤψ (the countenance; from 3700)
that is an householder
oikodespotes (Greek #3617)
the head of a family
KJV usage: goodman (of the house), householder, master of the house.
Pronounce: oy-kod-es-pot'-ace
Origin: from 3624 and 1203
f, which
hostis (Greek #3748)
which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same
KJV usage: X and (they), (such) as, (they) that, in that they, what(-soever), whereas ye, (they) which, who(-soever). Compare 3754.
Pronounce: hos'-tis
Origin: ἥτις (hay'-tis), and the neuter ὅτι (hot'-ee) from 3739 and 5100
went out
exerchomai (Greek #1831)
to issue (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad.
Pronounce: ex-er'-khom-ahee
Origin: from 1537 and 2064
early
hama (Greek #260)
properly, at the "same" time, but freely used as a preposition or adverb denoting close association
KJV usage: also, and, together, with(-al).
Pronounce: ham'-ah
Origin: a primary particle
in the morning
proi (Greek #4404)
at dawn; by implication, the day-break watch
KJV usage: early (in the morning), (in the) morning.
Pronounce: pro-ee'
Origin: adverb from 4253
to hire
misthoo (Greek #3409)
to let out for wages, i.e. (middle voice) to hire
KJV usage: hire.
Pronounce: mis-tho'-o
Origin: from 3408
laborers
ergates (Greek #2040)
a toiler; figuratively, a teacher
KJV usage: labourer, worker(-men).
Pronounce: er-gat'-ace
Origin: from 2041
into
eis (Greek #1519)
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
KJV usage: (abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
Pronounce: ice
Origin: a primary preposition
his
autos (Greek #846)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV usage: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
Pronounce: ow-tos'
Origin: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward)
vineyard
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
ampelon (Greek #290)
a vineyard
KJV usage: vineyard.
Pronounce: am-pel-ohn'
Origin: from 288
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f
Song of Sol. 8:11‑12• 11Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver.
 12My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred. (Song of Sol. 8:11‑12)

More on:

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Heaven,
Kingdom; Kingdom of God; Kingdom of Heaven,
Vineyard

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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1-16:  Christ, by the similitude of the labourers in the vineyard, shows that God is debtor unto no man;
17-19:  foretells his passion;
20-28:  by answering the mother of Zebedee's children, teaches his disciples to be lowly;
29-34:  and gives two blind men their sight.
the kingdom.This parable was intended to illustrate the equity of God's dealings, even when "the first are placed last, and the last first."
Matt. 3:2• 2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matt. 3:2)
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Matt. 13:24,31,33,44‑45,47• 24Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
 31Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
 33Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
 44Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
 45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
 47Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: (Matt. 13:24,31,33,44‑45,47)
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Matt. 22:2• 2The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, (Matt. 22:2)
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Matt. 25:1,14• 1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
 14For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. (Matt. 25:1,14)
a man.
Matt. 9:37‑38• 37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few;
 38Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest. (Matt. 9:37‑38)
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Matt. 21:33‑43• 33Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
 34And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
 35And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
 36Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
 37But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
 38But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
 39And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
 40When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
 41They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
 42Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
 43Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (Matt. 21:33‑43)
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Song of Sol. 8:11‑12• 11Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver.
 12My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred. (Song of Sol. 8:11‑12)
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Isa. 5:1‑2• 1Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:
 2And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. (Isa. 5:1‑2)
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John 15:1• 1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. (John 15:1)
early.
Matt. 23:37• 37O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (Matt. 23:37)
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Song of Sol. 8:11‑12• 11Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver.
 12My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred. (Song of Sol. 8:11‑12)
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Jer. 25:3‑4• 3From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that is the three and twentieth year, the word of the Lord hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened.
 4And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear. (Jer. 25:3‑4)
labourers.
Mark 13:34• 34For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. (Mark 13:34)
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1 Cor. 15:58• 58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Cor. 15:58)
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Heb. 13:21• 21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Heb. 13:21)
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2 Peter 1:5‑10• 5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
 6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
 7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
 8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 9But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
 10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (2 Peter 1:5‑10)
• A parable is added with a totally different principle, in which the prominent thought is the sovereignty of God, for the express purpose, I think, of guarding against such effects. For God is not unrighteous to forget our work and labor of love which we may have shown toward His name: but there is a danger for us in it. (“Remarks on Matthew 20:1-29” by W. Kelly)
• In order to keep us in this sense of grace, the Spirit of God recurs in this chapter to the sovereignty of God, the counteractive to the self-righteousness that is to be found even in the heart of a disciple. (“Remarks on Matthew 20:1-29” by W. Kelly)

J. N. Darby Translation

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1
For the kingdom of the heavens is like a householderc whob went out with the early morn to hire workmen for his vineyard.

JND Translation Notes

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c
Lit. "a man, a householder."
b
As ch. 7.24, "he who is such as."

W. Kelly Translation

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1
For the kingdom of the heavens is like a householdera which went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard;

WK Translation Notes

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a
The addition of "that was" or "is" is alike uncalled for. Are we to say in {vi 24989}{/vi} "the men the shepherds"? In chap. 13:23, 45, 52, 28:23, it is simply an enemy, a merchant, a householder, the shepherds. In fact, it was not emphatically a man that was hostile, but the devil, and a King who in truth was not a mere man.