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Matthew 20:4

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 20:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and to them he said, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and to them he said, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
Matthew 20:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that was a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard.
2And when he had agreed with the laborers for a shilling a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing in the marketplace idle;
4and to them he said, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
5Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.
6And about the eleventh [hour] he went out, and found others standing; and he saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard.
← Matthew 20:3Matthew 20:5 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And said unto them, go ye also into the vineyard, etc.] Expressive of a call of divine grace out of the world, into the church; and which arises from mere grace, and good will, without any merit in, or motive from man, as the case here shows: for the householder went out to these men, not they to him; he puts the question to them, and calls them, and bids them go into his vineyard; they do not ask him to hire them, nor desire to be in his service. Moreover, the persons called were a parcel of idle, mean, vulgar people, as market folks commonly are; the weak, base, and foolish things of the world. The encouragement given them follows, and whatsoever is right I will give you which is to be…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And said unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right--just, equitable, in proportion to their time. I will give you. And they went their way.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Whatsoever is right - Whatsoever it shall appear you can earn. The contract with the first was definite; with this one it depended on the judgment of the employer. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Go: Mat 9:9, Mat 21:23-31; Luk 19:7-10; Rom 6:16-22; Co1 6:11; Ti1 1:12, Ti1 1:13; Tit 3:8; Pe1 1:13, Pe1 4:2, Pe1 4:3 and whatsoever: Col 4:1 Matthew 20:5”
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Related study paths

Read Matthew 20 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification