When they received it, they murmured against the master of the household,
Parallel translations
- KJV And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
- BSB On receiving their pay, they began to grumble against the landowner.
- NKJV And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner,
- NASB When they received it, they grumbled at the landowner,
- NLT When they received their pay, they protested to the owner,
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Having been paid fairly, the first workers grumble against the landowner. Their complaint reveals envy at his generosity toward others.
Overview
Though they received the just wage they agreed to, the first workers murmur because others received the same for less work. Their grievance is not against injustice but against the master's kindness to the undeserving. This grumbling mirrors the heart that resents God's free grace to those it deems less worthy.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Luke 19:7When they saw it, they all murmured, saying, “He has gone in to lodge with a man who is a sinner.”
- 1 Th 2:16forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always. But wrath has come on them to the uttermost.
- Jude 1:16These are murmurers and complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaks proud things), showing respect of persons to gain advantage.
- Luke 15:28–30But he was angry, and would not go in. Therefore his father came out, and begged him.
- Acts 22:21–22“He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you out far from here to the Gentiles.’”
- Luke 15:2The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.”
- Luke 5:30Their scribes and the Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?”
- Acts 11:2–3When Peter had come up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended with him,
- Acts 13:45But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 20:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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