Matthew 20:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:6

The eleventh hour; the hour before sunset, say about 5 p.m., leaving only one hour for work, when it would be most unusual to engage labourers. Idle . The word is omitted in some manuscripts. There is some reproach in the master's question. Where were they earlier in the day, when he was hiring labourers for his vineyard? Why were they not in the marketplace, like their comrades, looking out for employment? Such questions, like many, others in the parable, are left unanswered. We see ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:6

The eleventh hour a type of old age. This treatment illustrates the suggestiveness of Scripture figures. They start thought on lines that lead away from their immediate connections. I. AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR THERE IS STILL WORK TO BE DONE . Froude says, "Beautiful is old age—beautiful as the slow dropping mellow autumn of a rich and glorious summer. In the old man Nature has fulfilled her work; she loads him with her blessings; she fills him with the fruits of a well... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:6

The social difficulty of the workless. Civilization works cruelly for some classes of society. It improves the condition of the few; it multiplies the miseries of the many. One thing it does—gathers great masses of people into the cities, where the demand for workers must be limited, and the thousands must be "workless." Scatter the people over the land, and every man can find work which will provide him with a simple living. Mass the people in a few centres, and, as they cannot earn by... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 20:6

The eleventh hour - About five o’clock in the afternoon, or when there was but one working hour of the day left. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 20:6-7

Matthew 20:6-7. And about the eleventh hour About five in the afternoon; he went and found others standing idle Others are hired into the vineyard in old age, when the day of life is almost wholly spent, and there is but one hour of the twelve remaining. “None are hired at the twelfth hour: when life is done, opportunity is done; but while there is life, there is hope. There is hope for old sinners; for, if in sincerity they turn to God, they shall doubtless be accepted: true... 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 20:6

the eleventh hour. The Art. is emphatic, as with the "third". See note on "even" (Matthew 20:8 ). It was immediately before the end. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 20:6

And about the eleventh hour, he went out, and found others standing; and he saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard.One of the mysteries is why these men were not hired earlier. If, as the householder suggested, they had been standing around all day, why had they not been hired already? The householder was then on his fifth trip to the marketplace; laborers were urgently needed; and it... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 20:3-7

Matthew 20:3-7. He went out about the third hour, &c.— The hiring of labourers at the subsequent third, sixth, and ninth hours, signifies the various interpositions of Providence, by which many of the Gentiles in the different ages of the world were converted, either in whole or in part, to the knowledge of the true God; becoming some proselytes of righteousness, others proselytes of the gate. The invitation given at the eleventh hour signifies God's calling the Gentiles to the Gospel... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 20:6

6. And about the eleventh hour—but one hour before the close of the working day; a most unusual hour both for offering and engaging and found others standing idle, and saith, Why stand ye here all the day idle?—Of course they had not been there, or not been disposed to offer themselves at the proper time; but as they were now willing, and the day was not over, and "yet there was room," they also are engaged, and on similar terms with all the rest. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 20:6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 20:6-7

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 20:1-16

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 20:6

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 20:6

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 20:3-7

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 20:6

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