Matthew 20:1

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

“For the kingdom of heaven is similar to a farmer who went out early one morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.

Cross References

Matthew 13:47

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is similar to a drag­net [for fishing] that was cast into the lake and gathered all kinds [of fish].

Matthew 13:24

[Then] Jesus told them another parable, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is similar to a person who sowed seed in his field,

Hebrews 13:21

equip you with every good deed for doing God’s will. [May He] work in us [to accomplish] what is very pleasing in His sight through [the power of] Jesus Christ. May there be praise to Him forever and ever. May it be so.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my dearly loved brothers, stand firm [in the faith]; do not be moved [from your commitment] Always do your best to work for the Lord, since you know that your labor in the Lord’s [service] is not for nothing.

John 15:1

[Jesus continued], “I am the real vine, and my Father is the owner of the vineyard.

Matthew 25:1

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be similar to ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the [bride and] groom. [Note: The picture here is that of a newly married couple returning from a festive reception to the groom’s home where they continued celebrating and were welcomed by a late evening wedding party]

Matthew 22:2

“The kingdom of heaven is similar to a certain king who held a wedding reception for his son.

Matthew 13:33

Then He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is similar to yeast, which a woman worked into a batch of dough [i.e., the amount was over half a bushel], until [the dough] was completely leavened [by it].”

Matthew 13:31

Jesus told them another parable, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is similar to a seed from the mustard tree which a man took and planted in his field.

Matthew 25:14

“For the kingdom of heaven is similar to a man who planned to go on a trip to a distant country, so called his servants and entrusted to each of them a large sum of money [Note: The narrative that follows suggests that the man was turning over some of his assets to financial managers to invest for him].

Mark 13:34

It is like a man who left his house on a trip to another country. [Before leaving] he put his servants in charge of his affairs, giving each one a [particular] job to do, then he ordered the gatekeeper to stay alert [i.e., while he was gone].

Matthew 3:2

“You must repent [i.e., change your hearts and lives], for the kingdom of heaven will soon be here.”

Matthew 23:37

“O, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [you people] who murdered the prophets and stoned those who were sent to you! How often I have wanted to gather you people together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

Matthew 21:28

But what do you think [about this]? A man had two sons; He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go to work in my vineyard today.’

Matthew 20:2

When he had agreed with the workers [on wages] for the usual farm laborer’s pay for a day’s work, he [then] sent them to work in his vineyard. [Note: The coin mentioned here would amount to about $9.00, based on the average farm laborer’s hourly wage in 2005. [National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Feb. 2005]. This coin also forms the basis for calculating all other monetary references in the New Testament].