Matthew 20:15 ASV

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:15

With mine own; ἐν τοῖς ἐμοῖς : in the case of what is mine own . These words are omitted by the Vulgate, which has, Aut ( ἠ Ì ) non licet mihi quod volo facere? Is thine eye evil? The evil eye is here expressive of envy, as Proverbs 28:22 . The Latin word invidia, Cicero informs us ('Tusc. Disp..' Proverbs 3:9 ), "ductum est a nimis intuendo fortunam alterius." For nimis Bentley conjectures limis, "with sidelong glances." The idea is the same, envy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:15

Generosity may go beyond agreement. Business men are often misunderstood, because, while they are sometimes nobly generous, they are also strict and precise in carrying out, and in requiring to be carried out, all business engagements. A man does no wrong to his fellow man who has made precise terms with him, if he deals fairly with the man who has made no terms with him. In this case the sum agreed was one penny for a day's labour, and because the half-day man received a penny, the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 20:15

Is thine we evil because I am good? - The Hebrews used the word evil, when applied to the eye, to denote one envious and malicious, Deuteronomy 15:9; Proverbs 23:6. The eye is called evil in such cases, because envy and malice show themselves directly in the eye. No passions are so fully expressed by the eye as these. “Does envy show itself in the eye? is thine eye so soon turned to express envy and malice because I have chosen to do good?” 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 20:15

with = in. Greek. en . App-104 . mine own. Plural = mine own [affairs]. thine eye evil. A Hebraism. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 15:9 ). App-117 . evil = grudging. Greek. poneria . App-128 .:3. Emphatic good = generous. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 20:15

Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? or is thine eye evil, because I am good?Let it be remembered that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. This parable shows that men may forget this in two ways: (1) They may forget it like the ones who worked all day and supposed that they were better than the ones who came later; (2) and they may forget it like the eleventh-hour workers would have forgotten it if they had objected to the householder's payment of the "firsters"... 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 20:15

15. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?—that is, "You appeal to justice, and by that your mouth is shut; for the sum you agreed for is paid you. Your case being disposed of, with the terms I make with other laborers you have nothing to do; and to grudge the benevolence shown to others, when by your own admission you have been honorably dealt with, is both unworthy envy of your neighbor, and discontent with the goodness that engaged and... 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

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:15

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 20:15

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

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:1-16

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 20:15

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 20:15

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

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 20:15

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

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