Bible Strands
Matthew 20:4
‘You also go into my vineyard,’ he said, ‘and I will pay you whatever is right.’
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The employer addresses laborers hired at the third hour, immediately after observing others standing idle in the marketplace. He issues a direct command to enter his work site before promising future compensation.
The words — ὑπάγετε (hupagete) functions as an urgent imperative meaning "do go," while καὶ (kai) emphasizes inclusion by translating as "also."
The thread — The command to enter a new assignment parallels the directive in Matthew 9:9, while the repeated hiring cycle mirrors the pattern in Matthew 20:5. The promise of just compensation aligns with the principle of living for divine will rather than human passion in 1 Peter 4:2.
Why it lands — The text demands immediate obedience to a call and places the reader under the authority of an employer who alone determines fair payment. It requires trust in that judgment without demanding prior knowledge of the terms.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 4:2 Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.
- Matthew 9:9 As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.
- Matthew 21:23 When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?”
- Luke 19:7 And all who saw this began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinful man!”
- Romans 6:16 Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness?
- 1 Corinthians 6:11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
- Colossians 4:1 Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
- 1 Timothy 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service.
- Titus 3:8 This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.
- 1 Peter 1:13 Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.