Matthew 20:2

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

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].

Cross References

Matthew 18:28

But that [same] servant went out and found one of his fellow-servants who owed him a small sum of money [Note: The amount was about 100 twelve hour days of a farm laborer’s pay or about $10,800 in 2005]. He grabbed him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay [me] what you owe.’

Matthew 20:1

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

Matthew 20:13

But he answered one of them, saying, ‘Friend, I have not done anything wrong to you. Did you not agree with me to accept the usual pay for one full day’s work?

Matthew 20:3

He went out about nine o’clock in the morning and saw other unemployed laborers standing [around] in the open shopping market.

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].

Matthew 22:19

Show me the coin used for paying taxes.” And they brought to Him a coin [Note: This coin was equivalent to one twelve hour day’s wages of a farm laborer, or about $108 in 2005].

Matthew 9:37

Then He said to His disciples, “Certainly there is plenty to harvest but there are [too] few people to do the work. You should pray to the Lord of the harvest to send [more] workers out into the field to gather His crop.”

Mark 12:15

Should we pay it, or should we not pay it?” But Jesus was aware of their hypocrisy and said to them, “Bring me the coin so I can see it.” [Note: The amount of this coin was equivalent to one twelve-hour day of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $108 in 2005].

Luke 1:15

For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and he will not drink any wine or intoxicating drinks [Note: This restriction suggests that John may have taken the special vow of consecration making him a “Nazarite”]. And he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the time he is born.

Luke 10:35

Then the next day he gave the lodge keeper two coins [Note: These coins amounted to two twelve-hour days of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $216 in 2005] and told him, ‘Take care of this [injured] man; and whatever more you have to spend on him I will repay you when I come back [this way] again.’

Luke 20:24

“Show me the coin [used for paying the taxes]. [Note: This coin was equivalent to one twelve-hour day of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $108 in 2005]. Whose image and inscription are on this coin?” And they answered Him, “Caesar’s.”

2 Timothy 3:15

And [remember] that, from childhood, you have known the sacred Scriptures which are able to make you wise [enough] to be saved through faith in Christ Jesus.

Revelation 6:6

And I heard what sounded like a voice coming from among the four living beings, saying, “A quart [measure] of wheat sells for a day’s pay [Note: This amount would be about $108 in 2005, based on one twelve-hour day of a farm laborer’s wages. See Matt. 20:2]; three quart measures of barley sell for a day’s pay; but do not damage the [olive] oil and wine [i.e., the orchards and vineyards].