Matthew 20:6 - About the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle. He said to them, ‘Why do you stand here all day idle?’
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What does "Matthew 20:6" mean?
This verse from Matthew 20:6 is part of the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. To understand its meaning, we need to consider the parable's overall context. Here's a breakdown:
The Context: The parable is about a landowner who hires workers at different times throughout the day to work in his vineyard. He hires some early in the morning, others at the third hour, the sixth hour, the ninth hour, and finally some at the eleventh hour. At the end of the day, he pays them all the same wage (a denarius).
"About the eleventh hour": This is late in the day, practically the last hour of work before quitting time. It emphasizes how little time these workers would have to contribute compared to those hired earlier.
"Found others standing idle": These workers aren't actively refusing to work, but they're unemployed and waiting for an opportunity. "Idle" doesn't necessarily imply laziness, but rather a lack of work.
"Why do you stand here all day idle?": The landowner's question highlights a key point:
Availability of Work: It implies there was work to be done. The landowner needed more help in the vineyard, even late in the day.
Lack of Opportunity: The workers had been waiting all day, suggesting they desired work but hadn't been offered any. This emphasizes that they weren't choosing to be idle.
Responsibility to Seek Work (Implied): While the text emphasizes the employer's role, it also subtly raises the question of why these workers didn't proactively seek employment earlier. However, the primary focus is on the employer's actions.
Meaning and Interpretation
The verse and the parable as a whole have several layers of interpretation:
1. God's Grace and Generosity: The main point is about God's boundless grace. Those who come to faith later in life (the "eleventh hour" workers) receive the same reward (eternal life) as those who have been faithful for longer. It's a challenge to the idea that one's reward is solely based on the amount of time served or the amount of work done.
2. Jealousy and Comparison: The parable addresses the human tendency to compare ourselves to others and to feel jealous when we perceive that someone else is receiving more than they "deserve."
3. The Kingdom of Heaven: The vineyard represents the Kingdom of Heaven, and the workers represent those who are called to serve. It suggests that everyone is welcome, regardless of when they are called or how much they are able to contribute.
4. Opportunity and Diligence: While grace is central, the parable also touches on the importance of being ready to work when the opportunity arises. The workers in the eleventh hour were standing and available, even if it was late in the day.
In Summary:
Matthew 20:6 is a pivotal verse in a parable that illustrates God's generous grace and the surprising nature of His Kingdom. It highlights the availability of work (service to God), the challenges people face in finding that work, and the equal reward offered regardless of when one begins to serve. It cautions against envy and encourages a welcoming attitude toward all who are called to join in God's work.
Matthew 20:6 - About the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle. He said to them, ‘Why do you stand here all day idle?’
What does "Matthew 20:6" mean?
This verse from Matthew 20:6 is part of the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. To understand its meaning, we need to consider the parable's overall context. Here's a breakdown:
The Context: The parable is about a landowner who hires workers at different times throughout the day to work in his vineyard. He hires some early in the morning, others at the third hour, the sixth hour, the ninth hour, and finally some at the eleventh hour. At the end of the day, he pays them all the same wage (a denarius).
"About the eleventh hour": This is late in the day, practically the last hour of work before quitting time. It emphasizes how little time these workers would have to contribute compared to those hired earlier.
"Found others standing idle": These workers aren't actively refusing to work, but they're unemployed and waiting for an opportunity. "Idle" doesn't necessarily imply laziness, but rather a lack of work.
"Why do you stand here all day idle?": The landowner's question highlights a key point:
Availability of Work: It implies there was work to be done. The landowner needed more help in the vineyard, even late in the day.
Lack of Opportunity: The workers had been waiting all day, suggesting they desired work but hadn't been offered any. This emphasizes that they weren't choosing to be idle.
Responsibility to Seek Work (Implied): While the text emphasizes the employer's role, it also subtly raises the question of why these workers didn't proactively seek employment earlier. However, the primary focus is on the employer's actions.
Meaning and Interpretation
The verse and the parable as a whole have several layers of interpretation:
1. God's Grace and Generosity: The main point is about God's boundless grace. Those who come to faith later in life (the "eleventh hour" workers) receive the same reward (eternal life) as those who have been faithful for longer. It's a challenge to the idea that one's reward is solely based on the amount of time served or the amount of work done.
2. Jealousy and Comparison: The parable addresses the human tendency to compare ourselves to others and to feel jealous when we perceive that someone else is receiving more than they "deserve."
3. The Kingdom of Heaven: The vineyard represents the Kingdom of Heaven, and the workers represent those who are called to serve. It suggests that everyone is welcome, regardless of when they are called or how much they are able to contribute.
4. Opportunity and Diligence: While grace is central, the parable also touches on the importance of being ready to work when the opportunity arises. The workers in the eleventh hour were standing and available, even if it was late in the day.
In Summary:
Matthew 20:6 is a pivotal verse in a parable that illustrates God's generous grace and the surprising nature of His Kingdom. It highlights the availability of work (service to God), the challenges people face in finding that work, and the equal reward offered regardless of when one begins to serve. It cautions against envy and encourages a welcoming attitude toward all who are called to join in God's work.