Matthew 20:10

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

Then when those who were hired first came [to get paid], they expected to receive more money [than those hired later], but each one received the usual pay for one full day’s work also.

Cross References

Matthew 19:27

Peter then answered Him, “Look, we have left everything [i.e., homes, jobs, family, etc.], to follow you. What will we get for it?”

Matthew 20:11

And when they received it, they complained to the farmer,

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].

Matthew 20:9

So, when those hired about five o’clock in the afternoon came in, each one received the usual pay for one full day’s work. [See note on verse 2].