Matthew 20:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:13

He answered one of them. The Lord condescended to show, not to all the labourers, but to one of them—the ringleader probably—the futility of the ground of his murmur. Christ often explains himself to his friends, while he refuses further elucidation to enemies and the hardened. Friend ( ἑταῖρε ). Not a term of affection, or special good will, but one of indifference, addressed to an inferior. It was the word used to Judas ( Matthew 26:50 ) when he came to betray his Lord, "Friend,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 20:13

Friend, I do thee no wrong - I have fully complied with the contract. We had an agreement: I have paid all that I promised. If I choose to give a penny to another man if he labors little or not at all if I should choose to give all my property away to others, it would not affect this contract with you: it is fully met; and with my own with that on which you have no further claim I may do as I please. So, if Christians are just, and pay their lawful debts, and injure no one, the world has no... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 20:13-15

Matthew 20:13-15. And he answered one of them Who spoke in the name of the rest; Friend, I do thee no wrong It is most apparent that I do not, in any degree, injure thee or any of thy companions. Didst thou not agree with me for a penny? Didst thou not consent to obey the gospel, to enter the vineyard of the gospel church, and work diligently therein, on condition that thou wast admitted to a share of the blessings of it here, and to eternal life hereafter? If thou hast received what... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:1-16

111. Workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)Jesus’ purpose in telling this story was to illustrate what he had just said concerning God’s unexpected gift to those who at present appear to be disadvantaged (see Matthew 19:30). He was not setting out rules for wages and employment, but giving an illustration of God’s grace. The sovereign God takes pity on a needy world, and generously gives his salvation to all who accept his offer.At the beginning of the day, a landowner hired people to work... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 20:13

one. Representing the whole body, as Peter was the "one" in Matthew 19:27 . Friend. Greek. Hetairos = Comrade, more distant than philos (= beloved). Occurs only in Matthew (here; Matthew 11:16 ; Matthew 22:12 ; Matthew 26:50 ). wrong = injustice. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 20:13

But he answered and said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a shilling?The cause of the trouble in that ancient vineyard was not the generous and loving householder but the spiteful jealousy of the laborers hired that morning. Jesus' use of the word "Friend" here does not carry the same connotation that the word has for many in our day. He thus addressed Judas who came to betray him (Matthew 26:50). read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 20:13-15

Matthew 20:13-15. Friend, I do thee no wrong— "Seeing I have given thee the hire which I promised thee, thou hast no reason of complaint; and if I choose to give unto those who came last into the vineyard as much hire as I have given to thee, who can find fault with it? I own it is an act of generosity; but am I not free to bestow what is mine own as I see proper? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? Because I am liberal and bountiful, art thou envious and covetous?" A malignant aspect is... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 20:13

13. But he answered one of them—doubtless the spokesman of the complaining party. and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? &c. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 20:1-16

The parable of the workers in the vineyard 20:1-16This parable explains why the last will become first. It begins with a well-known scene but then introduces surprising elements to make a powerful point."Jesus deliberately and cleverly led the listeners along by degrees until they understood that if God’s generosity was to be represented by a man, such a man would be different from any man ever encountered." [Note: Norman A. Huffman, "Atypical Features in the Parables of Jesus," Journal of... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 20:3-34

A. Jesus’ instruction of His disciples around Judea 19:3-20:34The primary emphasis in this section of Matthew’s Gospel is Jesus’ instruction of His disciples to prepare them for the future. Specifically, He emphasized the importance of the first becoming last and the last first: humble servanthood (cf. Matthew 19:30; Matthew 20:16). read more

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