Matthew 20:4 - He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went their way.

Generated Verse: Matthew 20:4

What does "Matthew 20:4" mean?


This verse, Matthew 20:4, is part of the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. It describes the vineyard owner hiring more laborers throughout the day. Here's a breakdown of what it means:

"He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard...": The landowner is addressing men standing idle, likely because they were looking for work. He's offering them an opportunity to work in his vineyard. This symbolizes God calling people into His service, inviting them to participate in His work.

"...and whatever is right I will give you.’": This is a crucial element. The landowner doesn't specify an exact wage upfront. He's promising to pay them fairly based on the amount of work they do. This implies trust and integrity on the part of the landowner. It highlights the concept of God's justice and fairness in rewarding those who serve Him. The reward will be just and appropriate, even if the exact amount isn't explicitly defined beforehand. It focuses on working for the right reasons - because you are called, not just for a specific financial gain.

"So they went their way.": They accepted the offer and started working. This signifies obedience and willingness to serve without knowing all the details or guarantees. They trust that the landowner will be fair and just.

In context of the parable, the verse highlights:

God's open invitation to all: God calls people to serve at different times in their lives. The time of entry doesn't determine worth.
Trust and faith: The workers trusted in the landowner's fairness. Similarly, we are called to trust God's judgment and provision.
The reward of service: The reward isn't always predictable or easily quantifiable. The parable ultimately questions the concept of earning salvation.
Working for the sake of working: They went to work without knowing exactly how much they would be paid, signifying that they were happy just to be given the opportunity to work.

Ultimately, this verse emphasizes the importance of responding to God's call to serve, trusting in His fairness, and not necessarily being focused solely on a specific reward or status. The next part of the parable will question the idea of a 'fair' reward.