Matthew 20:4

Arabic Simplified (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

فَقَالَ لَهُمْ: ‹اذْهَبُوا أنْتُمْ أيْضًا لِلعَمَلِ فِي كَرْمِي وَسَأُعْطِيكُمُ الأجْرَ الَّذِي تَسْتَحِقُّونَهُ.›

What Does This Mean?

In this verse from Matthew 20:4, the owner of a vineyard is speaking to more workers he's hired late in the day. He promises to pay them fairly for their work, and they go off to join others already working.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're helping your mom bake cookies at home. She asks if you'd like to help wash dishes too and says she'll give you a fair amount of allowance. You decide to help because it sounds good! That's similar to what's happening here, just with grown-ups working in a vineyard.

Historical Background

The Gospel of Matthew was written by one of Jesus' disciples around 80-90 AD. It primarily targets Jewish Christians and presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. The cultural context involves agrarian labor practices common during that period, where landowners would hire day laborers.

Living It Out Today

In today's world, imagine you're a manager who hires employees for a project at different times throughout the day. You promise them fair compensation regardless of when they start working. This demonstrates fairness and equality in treating all workers equally despite differing hours worked.

Topics

• fairness
• work ethic
• equality
• justice
• reward
• labor

Related Verses

• Luke 17:10
• John 4:36
• Proverbs 15:23
• Ephesians 6:9
• James 5:4

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is speaking in Matthew 20:4?

The speaker is the owner of a vineyard who hires workers throughout the day, including those mentioned here.

What does 'whatsoever is right' mean in this verse?

'Whatsoever is right' means the owner promises to pay the fair wages agreed upon or what is appropriate according to their agreement and labor laws of that time.

How can I apply Matthew 20:4's message about fairness in my daily life?

You can ensure that you treat all people with equal respect, especially those who might start working later or have less experience. Offer them fair opportunities and compensation just like others.

What is the significance of this verse in understanding labor practices at the time?

This verse provides insight into ancient Jewish agricultural labor practices where landowners would hire day workers, emphasizing the importance of fairness in wage payments.