New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 20:13

The Last Will Be First

But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Did you not agree with me on one denarius? Matthew 20:13 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

Matthew 20:13, in plain English

The owner replies, 'Friend, I'm not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius?'

Why it's here

He's not cheating anyone. Every worker got what was promised. The complaint isn't about injustice — it's about envy.

Who's speaking

The landowner calmly calls out the real issue.

Where it sits in the story

The owner's answer is simple and devastating: you got exactly what we agreed on. Your problem isn't with fairness — it's with my generosity.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

The landowner addresses one worker as 'friend' (hetaire) — a term in Matthew often carrying a note of distance or reproof (cf. 22:12, 26:50) — and denies any injustice: the agreed wage was paid.

Language and setting

The owner's defense is twofold: contractual justice (you got what we agreed) and sovereign generosity (I can do what I want with what's mine).

Voice

The landowner responds to the complaint with a combination of justice and sovereign authority.

Significance

The owner doesn't apologize. He points out the worker received exactly what was promised — no injustice occurred.

In context

Matthew 20:11–15

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.

15Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

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.

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