New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 20:12

The Last Will Be First

‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’ Matthew 20:12 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

Matthew 20:12, in plain English

They say, 'These latecomers worked one hour, and you treated them the same as us who worked all day in the blazing heat!'

Why it's here

By any normal standard, they have a point. But Jesus isn't teaching about normal standards.

Who's speaking

The frustrated workers make their case, and honestly, you might agree with them.

Where it sits in the story

They worked harder, longer, and in worse conditions. Their frustration makes sense — until you realize this story isn't about earning.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

The workers articulate their complaint: the last worked only one hour (mian hōran) while they bore the day's burden (baros) and scorching heat (kausōna), yet received equal treatment.

Language and setting

Their argument is logically valid by human standards, which is precisely what makes the parable so challenging.

Voice

The disgruntled workers voice their complaint about perceived inequality.

Significance

The workers make a compelling case by human logic — equal pay for unequal work seems unjust. But the parable operates by a different logic.

In context

Matthew 20:10–14

10So when the original workers came, they assumed they would receive more. But each of them also received a denarius.

11On receiving their pay, they began to grumble against the landowner.

12‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’

13But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Did you not agree with me on one denarius?

14Take your pay and go. I want to give this last man the same as I gave you.

Read all of Matthew 20 — Workers hired at day's end receive the same wage as those who sweated since dawn. God's generosity offends our scorekeeping instincts.

Understand every verse, not just this one

This page covers one. BibleKey does all 31,102 — tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and keep reading without leaving the chapter.

Get BibleKey

Understand every verse.

Not just the famous ones. BibleKey is free on iPhone and iPad.

Download on the App Store

Free on iPhone & iPad