Matthew 20:14 - Take that which is yours, and go your way. It is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you.

Generated Verse: Matthew 20:14

What does "Matthew 20:14" mean?


This verse is part of the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16). To understand it, we need to look at the parable's context.

The parable is about a landowner who hires laborers at different times throughout the day. He agrees to pay the first group a denarius (a day's wage). At the end of the day, he pays all the laborers, even those hired last, a full denarius. The laborers who were hired first are angry because they worked longer but received the same pay as those who worked only an hour.

Verse 20:14 is the landowner's response to the first group's complaint. Let's break it down:

"Take that which is yours, and go your way." This means, "You received the wage we agreed upon. You got what you were promised." The landowner is acknowledging that he kept his initial agreement.

"It is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you." This is the crux of the parable. The landowner is asserting his right to be generous and to distribute his resources as he sees fit. "It is my desire" emphasizes his ownership and authority. He wants to give the last laborers the same amount as the first.

What it means in the context of the parable:

God's Grace is Unmerited: The parable illustrates that God's grace and salvation are not earned through works or the length of time one has followed Him. The laborers hired last received the same reward as those hired first, representing those who come to faith later in life or have fewer "good works" to show.
God's Generosity: The landowner's actions show God's generous nature. He is not bound by strict calculations of fairness but is willing to give freely and abundantly.
Beware of Envy and Comparison: The parable warns against comparing oneself to others and feeling entitled or resentful of God's blessings on others. The first laborers focused on what others received instead of being grateful for their own agreed-upon wage.
God's Sovereignty: The landowner's statement reinforces God's sovereignty. He has the right to distribute his blessings as he sees fit, and we should trust in his judgment.

In short, Matthew 20:14 is the landowner's (representing God) declaration that he is free to be generous and that his reward isn't solely based on time served or work done. It highlights the themes of grace, generosity, and the dangers of envy and comparison.

What categories does "Matthew 20:14" have?