The Gospel according to Matthew

Matthew 20

Who, what, why, when, where, and how — read the book introduction

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MATTHEW 20:1

TWMC

“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.

KJV

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

Greek

Ὁμοία γάρ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν ἀνθρώπῳ οἰκοδεσπότῃ, ὅστις ἐξῆλθεν ἅμα πρωῒ μισθώσασθαι ἐργάτας εἰς τὸν ἀμπελῶνα αὐτοῦ.

Romanized Greek

Homoia gar estin hē basileia tōn ouranōn anthrōpō oikodespotē, hostis exēlthen hama prōi misthōsasthai ergatas eis ton ampelōna autou.

MATTHEW 20:2

TWMC

He agreed to pay the workers one denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.

KJV

And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

Greek

Καὶ συμφωνήσας μετὰ τῶν ἐργατῶν ἐκ δηναρίου τὴν ἡμέραν, ἀπέστειλεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸν ἀμπελῶνα αὐτοῦ.

Romanized Greek

Kai symphōnēsas meta tōn ergatōn ek dēnariou tēn hēmeran, apesteilen autous eis ton ampelōna autou.

MATTHEW 20:3

TWMC

Around nine in the morning, he went out again and saw others standing in the marketplace with no work to do.

KJV

And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

Greek

Καὶ ἐξελθὼν περὶ τρίτην ὥραν, εἶδεν ἄλλους ἑστῶτας ἐν τῇ ἀγορᾷ ἀργούς∙

Romanized Greek

Kai exelthōn peri tritēn hōran, eiden allous hestōtas en tē agora argous;

MATTHEW 20:4

TWMC

He told them, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and I will pay you whatever is right.’

So they went.

KJV

And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

Greek

καὶ ἐκείνοις εἶπεν, Ὑπάγετε καὶ ὑμεῖς εἰς τὸν ἀμπελῶνα, καὶ ὃ ἐὰν ᾖ δίκαιον δώσω ὑμῖν.

Romanized Greek

kai ekeinois eipen, Hypagete kai hymeis eis ton ampelōna, kai ho ean ē dikaion dōsō hymin.

MATTHEW 20:5

TWMC

He went out again around noon and around three in the afternoon and did the same thing.

KJV

Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

Greek

Οἱ δὲ ἀπῆλθον. Πάλιν ἐξελθὼν περὶ ἕκτην καὶ ἐνάτην ὥραν, ἐποίησεν ὡσαύτως.

Romanized Greek

Hoi de apēlthon. Palin exelthōn peri hektēn kai enatēn hōran, epoiēsen hōsautōs.

MATTHEW 20:6

TWMC

Then around five in the afternoon, he went out and found still others standing there with nothing to do.

He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day without working?’

KJV

And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

Greek

Περὶ δὲ τὴν ἑνδεκάτην ὥραν ἐξελθών, εὗρεν ἄλλους ἑστῶτας ἀργούς, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς, Τί ὧδε ἑστήκατε ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν ἀργοί;

Romanized Greek

Peri de tēn hendekatēn hōran exelthōn, heuren allous hestōtas argous, kai legei autois, Ti hōde hestēkate holēn tēn hēmeran argoi?

MATTHEW 20:7

TWMC

They answered, ‘Because no one hired us.’

He told them, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right, you will receive.’

KJV

They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

Greek

Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ, Ὅτι οὐδεὶς ἡμᾶς ἐμισθώσατο. Λέγει αὐτοῖς, Ὑπάγετε καὶ ὑμεῖς εἰς τὸν ἀμπελῶνα, καὶ ὃ ἐὰν ᾖ δίκαιον λήψεσθε.

Romanized Greek

Legousin autō, Hoti oudeis hēmas emisthōsato. Legei autois, Hypagete kai hymeis eis ton ampelōna, kai ho ean ē dikaion lēpsesthe.

MATTHEW 20:8

TWMC

When evening came, the owner of the vineyard told his manager, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with those hired last and ending with those hired first.’

KJV

So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

Greek

Ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης λέγει ὁ κύριος τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος τῷ ἐπιτρόπῳ αὐτοῦ, Κάλεσον τοὺς ἐργάτας, καὶ ἀπόδος αὐτοῖς τὸν μισθόν, ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ τῶν ἐσχάτων ἕως τῶν πρώτων.

Romanized Greek

Opsias de genomenēs legei ho kyrios tou ampelōnos tō epitropō autou, Kaleson tous ergatas, kai apodos autois ton misthon, arxamenos apo tōn eschatōn heōs tōn prōtōn.

MATTHEW 20:9

TWMC

The workers who had been hired around five came forward and each received a denarius.

KJV

And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

Greek

Καὶ ἐλθόντες οἱ περὶ τὴν ἑνδεκάτην ὥραν ἔλαβον ἀνὰ δηνάριον.

Romanized Greek

Kai elthontes hoi peri tēn hendekatēn hōran elabon ana dēnarion.

MATTHEW 20:10

TWMC

So when the first workers came, they assumed they would receive more. But they also received one denarius each.

KJV

But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

Greek

Ἐλθόντες δὲ οἱ πρῶτοι ἐνόμισαν ὅτι πλείονα λήψονται∙ καὶ ἔλαβον καὶ αὐτοὶ ἀνὰ δηνάριον.

Romanized Greek

Elthontes de hoi prōtoi enomisan hoti pleiona lēpsontai; kai elabon kai autoi ana dēnarion.

MATTHEW 20:11

TWMC

After receiving it, they began complaining against the landowner.

KJV

And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,

Greek

Λαβόντες δὲ ἐγόγγυζον κατὰ τοῦ οἰκοδεσπότου,

Romanized Greek

Labontes de egongyzon kata tou oikodespotou,

MATTHEW 20:12

TWMC

‘Those men who came last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘yet you have made them equal to us! We carried the weight of the work through the heat of the entire day.’

KJV

Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

Greek

λέγοντες ὅτι Οὗτοι οἱ ἔσχατοι μίαν ὥραν ἐποίησαν, καὶ ἴσους ἡμῖν αὐτοὺς ἐποίησας, τοῖς βαστάσασιν τὸ βάρος τῆς ἡμέρας καὶ τὸν καύσωνα.

Romanized Greek

legontes hoti Houtoi hoi eschatoi mian hōran epoiēsan, kai isous hēmin autous epoiēsas, tois bastasasin to baros tēs hēmeras kai ton kausōna.

MATTHEW 20:13

TWMC

But the landowner answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not treating you unfairly. Didn’t you agree to work for one denarius?

KJV

But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

Greek

Ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν ἑνὶ αὐτῶν, Ἑταῖρε, οὐκ ἀδικῶ σε∙ οὐχὶ δηναρίου συνεφώνησάς μοι;

Romanized Greek

Ho de apokritheis eipen heni autōn, Hetaire, ouk adikō se; ouchi dēnariou synephōnēsas moi?

MATTHEW 20:14

TWMC

Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give this last worker the same amount I gave you.

KJV

Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

Greek

Ἆρον τὸ σὸν καὶ ὕπαγε∙ θέλω δὲ τούτῳ τῷ ἐσχάτῳ δοῦναι ὡς καὶ σοί.

Romanized Greek

Aron to son kai hypage; thelō de toutō tō eschatō dounai hōs kai soi.

MATTHEW 20:15

TWMC

Don’t I have the right to do what I want with what belongs to me? Or are you resentful because I am generous?’

KJV

Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

Greek

Ἢ οὐκ ἔξεστίν μοι ποιῆσαι ὃ θέλω ἐν τοῖς ἐμοῖς; Εἰ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου πονηρός ἐστιν, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἀγαθός εἰμι;

Romanized Greek

Ē ouk exestin moi poiēsai ho thelō en tois emois? Ei ho ophthalmos sou ponēros estin, hoti egō agathos eimi?

MATTHEW 20:16

TWMC

In this way, the last will be first, and the first will be last. For many are called, but few are chosen.”

KJV

So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Greek

Οὕτως ἔσονται οἱ ἔσχατοι πρῶτοι, καὶ οἱ πρῶτοι ἔσχατοι∙ πολλοὶ γάρ εἰσιν κλητοί, ὀλίγοι δὲ ἐκλεκτοί.

Romanized Greek

Houtōs esontai hoi eschatoi prōtoi, kai hoi prōtoi eschatoi; polloi gar eisin klētoi, oligoi de eklektoi.

MATTHEW 20:17

TWMC

As Jesus was going up toward Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside privately along the road and said to them,

KJV

¶ And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,

Greek

Καὶ ἀναβαίνων ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα παρέλαβεν τοὺς δώδεκα μαθητὰς κατ’ ἰδίαν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς,

Romanized Greek

Kai anabainōn ho Iēsous eis Hierosolyma parelaben tous dōdeka mathētas kat’ idian en tē hodō, kai eipen autois,

MATTHEW 20:18

TWMC

“Listen, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death

KJV

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,

Greek

Ἰδού, ἀναβαίνομεν εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα, καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδοθήσεται τοῖς ἀρχιερεῦσιν καὶ γραμματεῦσιν, καὶ κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτὸν θανάτῳ,

Romanized Greek

Idou, anabainomen eis Hierosolyma, kai ho huios tou anthrōpou paradothēsetai tois archiereusin kai grammateusin, kai katakrinousin auton thanatō,

MATTHEW 20:19

TWMC

and hand Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, beaten with whips, and crucified. But on the third day He will rise again.”

KJV

And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

Greek

καὶ παραδώσουσιν αὐτὸν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν εἰς τὸ ἐμπαῖξαι καὶ μαστιγῶσαι καὶ σταυρῶσαι∙ καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστήσεται.

Romanized Greek

kai paradōsousin auton tois ethnesin eis to empaixai kai mastigōsai kai staurōsai; kai tē tritē hēmera anastēsetai.

MATTHEW 20:20

TWMC

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons. She bowed before Him and asked Him for something.

KJV

¶ Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

Greek

Τότε προσῆλθεν αὐτῷ ἡ μήτηρ τῶν υἱῶν Ζεβεδαίου μετὰ τῶν υἱῶν αὐτῆς, προσκυνοῦσα καὶ αἰτοῦσά τι παρ’ αὐτοῦ.

Romanized Greek

Tote prosēlthen autō hē mētēr tōn huiōn Zebedaiou meta tōn huiōn autēs, proskynousa kai aitousa ti par’ autou.

MATTHEW 20:21

TWMC

Jesus said to her, “What do you want?”

She answered, “Promise that these two sons of mine will sit beside You in Your kingdom—one at Your right hand and the other at Your left.”

KJV

And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

Greek

Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῇ, Τί θέλεις; Λέγει αὐτῷ, Εἰπὲ ἵνα καθίσωσιν οὗτοι οἱ δύο υἱοί μου, εἷς ἐκ δεξιῶν σου, καὶ εἷς ἐξ εὐωνύμων σου, ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ σου.

Romanized Greek

Ho de eipen autē, Ti theleis? Legei autō, Eipe hina kathisōsin houtoi hoi dyo huioi mou, heis ek dexiōn sou, kai heis ex euōnymōn sou, en tē basileia sou.

MATTHEW 20:22

TWMC

Jesus answered, “You do not understand what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink and to undergo the baptism I am about to undergo?”

They answered Him, “We are able.”

KJV

But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

Greek

Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν, Οὐκ οἴδατε τί αἰτεῖσθε. Δύνασθε πιεῖν τὸ ποτήριον ὃ ἐγὼ μέλλω πίνειν, ἢ τὸ βάπτισμα ὃ ἐγὼ βαπτίζομαι βαπτισθῆναι; Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ, Δυνάμεθα.

Romanized Greek

Apokritheis de ho Iēsous eipen, Ouk oidate ti aiteisthe. Dynasthe piein to potērion ho egō mellō pinein, ē to baptisma ho egō baptizomai baptisthēnai? Legousin autō, Dynametha.

MATTHEW 20:23

TWMC

Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and you will undergo the baptism I undergo. But the places at My right and My left are not Mine to give as a personal favor. They belong to those for whom My Father has prepared them.”

KJV

And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

Greek

Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς, Τὸ μὲν ποτήριόν μου πίεσθε, καὶ τὸ βάπτισμα ὃ ἐγὼ βαπτίζομαι βαπτισθήσεσθε∙ τὸ δὲ καθίσαι ἐκ δεξιῶν μου καὶ ἐξ εὐωνύμων μου οὐκ ἔστιν ἐμὸν δοῦναι, ἀλλ’ οἷς ἡτοίμασται ὑπὸ τοῦ πατρός μου.

Romanized Greek

Kai legei autois, To men potērion mou piesthe, kai to baptisma ho egō baptizomai baptisthēsesthe; to de kathisai ek dexiōn mou kai ex euōnymōn mou ouk estin emon dounai, all’ hois hētoimastai hypo tou patros mou.

MATTHEW 20:24

TWMC

When the other ten disciples heard about this, they became angry with the two brothers.

KJV

And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

Greek

Καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ δέκα ἠγανάκτησαν περὶ τῶν δύο ἀδελφῶν.

Romanized Greek

Kai akousantes hoi deka ēganaktēsan peri tōn dyo adelphōn.

MATTHEW 20:25

TWMC

Jesus called them all together and said, “You know how the rulers of the Gentiles dominate their people, and how those considered great exercise authority over them.

KJV

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

Greek

Ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς προσκαλεσάμενος αὐτοὺς εἶπεν, Οἴδατε ὅτι οἱ ἄρχοντες τῶν ἐθνῶν κατακυριεύουσιν αὐτῶν, καὶ οἱ μεγάλοι κατεξουσιάζουσιν αὐτῶν.

Romanized Greek

Ho de Iēsous proskalesamenos autous eipen, Oidate hoti hoi archontes tōn ethnōn katakyrieuousin autōn, kai hoi megaloi katexousiazousin autōn.

MATTHEW 20:26

TWMC

But it must not be that way among you. Whoever wants to become great among you must become your servant,

KJV

But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

Greek

Οὐχ οὕτως δὲ ἔσται ἐν ὑμῖν∙ ἀλλ’ ὃς ἐὰν θέλῃ ἐν ὑμῖν μέγας γενέσθαι ἔσται ὑμῶν διάκονος∙

Romanized Greek

Ouch houtōs de estai en hymin; all’ hos ean thelē en hymin megas genesthai estai hymōn diakonos;

MATTHEW 20:27

TWMC

and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.

KJV

And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

Greek

καὶ ὃς ἐὰν θέλῃ ἐν ὑμῖν εἶναι πρῶτος, ἔστω ὑμῶν δοῦλος∙

Romanized Greek

kai hos ean thelē en hymin einai prōtos, estō hymōn doulos;

MATTHEW 20:28

TWMC

That is exactly how the Son of Man came—not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

KJV

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Greek

ὥσπερ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου οὐκ ἦλθεν διακονηθῆναι, ἀλλὰ διακονῆσαι, καὶ δοῦναι τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ λύτρον ἀντὶ πολλῶν.

Romanized Greek

hōsper ho huios tou anthrōpou ouk ēlthen diakonēthēnai, alla diakonēsai, kai dounai tēn psychēn autou lytron anti pollōn.

MATTHEW 20:29

TWMC

As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Jesus.

KJV

And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

Greek

Καὶ ἐκπορευομένων αὐτῶν ἀπὸ Ἰεριχώ, ἠκολούθησεν αὐτῷ ὄχλος πολύς.

Romanized Greek

Kai ekporeuomenōn autōn apo Ierichō, ēkolouthēsen autō ochlos polys.

MATTHEW 20:30

TWMC

Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!”

KJV

¶ And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.

Greek

Καὶ ἰδού, δύο τυφλοὶ καθήμενοι παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν, ἀκούσαντες ὅτι Ἰησοῦς παράγει, ἔκραξαν, λέγοντες, Ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς, κύριε, υἱὸς Δαυίδ.

Romanized Greek

Kai idou, dyo typhloi kathēmenoi para tēn hodon, akousantes hoti Iēsous paragei, ekraxan, legontes, Eleēson hēmas, kyrie, huios Dauid.

MATTHEW 20:31

TWMC

The crowd sharply told them to be quiet.

But they cried out even louder:

“Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!”

KJV

And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.

Greek

Ὁ δὲ ὄχλος ἐπετίμησεν αὐτοῖς ἵνα σιωπήσωσιν. Οἱ δὲ μεῖζον ἔκραζον, λέγοντες, Ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς, κύριε, υἱὸς Δαυίδ.

Romanized Greek

Ho de ochlos epetimēsen autois hina siōpēsōsin. Hoi de meizon ekrazon, legontes, Eleēson hēmas, kyrie, huios Dauid.

MATTHEW 20:32

TWMC

Jesus stopped, called them over, and asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

KJV

And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?

Greek

Καὶ στὰς ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐφώνησεν αὐτούς, καὶ εἶπεν, Τί θέλετε ποιήσω ὑμῖν;

Romanized Greek

Kai stas ho Iēsous ephōnēsen autous, kai eipen, Ti thelete poiēsō hymin?

MATTHEW 20:33

TWMC

They answered Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.”

KJV

They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.

Greek

Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ, Κύριε, ἵνα ἀνοιχθῶσιν ἡμῶν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί.

Romanized Greek

Legousin autō, Kyrie, hina anoichthōsin hēmōn hoi ophthalmoi.

MATTHEW 20:34

TWMC

Jesus was moved with compassion. He touched their eyes, and immediately their eyes received sight.

And they followed Him.

KJV

So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

Greek

Σπλαγχνισθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἥψατο τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτῶν∙ καὶ εὐθέως ἀνέβλεψαν αὐτῶν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί, καὶ ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ.

Romanized Greek

Splanchnistheis de ho Iēsous hēpsato tōn ophthalmōn autōn; kai eutheōs aneblepsan autōn hoi ophthalmoi, kai ēkolouthēsan autō.