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Matthew 20:11

Matthew 20:11 in Multiple Translations

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

And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,

And when they received it, they murmured against the householder,

And when they got it, they made a protest against the master of the house,

When they received their pay, they complained to the owner.

And when they had receiued it, they murmured against the master of the house,

and having received [it], they were murmuring against the householder, saying,

When they received it, they murmured against the master of the household,

And when they had received it , they murmured against the master of the house.

And receiving it they murmured against the master of the house,

So they complained to the owner of the vineyard because they thought their payment was unfair.

When they got their money, they complained to the boss. They said,

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Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 20:11

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Matthew 20:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK λαβοντες δε εγογγυζον κατα του οικοδεσποτου
λαβοντες lambanō G2983 to take Verb-2AAP-NPM
δε de G1161 then Conj
εγογγυζον gonguzō G1111 to murmur Verb-IAI-3P
κατα kata G2596 according to Prep
του ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GSM
οικοδεσποτου oikodespotēs G3617 householder Noun-GSM
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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 20:11

λαβοντες lambanō G2983 "to take" Verb-2AAP-NPM
To take or receive something, like in Matthew 26:26, where Jesus takes bread and breaks it. It can also mean to accept or obtain something, and is often translated as receive or accept in the KJV.
Definition: λαμβάνω, [in LXX chiefly for לקח, also for אחז ,לכד ,נשׂא, etc. ;] __1. to take, lay hold of: absol., Mat.26:26, Mrk.14:22; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.5:40 26:52, al. mult.; with accusative of person(s), Mat.21:35, Mrk.12:3, al.; pleonastic λαβών (M, Pr., 230; Bl., §74, 2), Mat.13:31 14:19, al.; so also indic., Mrk.7:27, Jhn.19:1, 40 Rev.8:5, al.; metaphorically, with accusative of thing(s), ἀφορμήν, Rom.7:8, 11; ὑδόδειγμα, Jas.5:10; id. with accusative of person(s), φόβος, Luk.7:16; πνεῦμα, Luk.9:39; πειρασμός, 1Co.10:13; aoristic pf. (M, Pr., 145, 238; BL, §59, 4), Rev.5:7 8:5, al. __2. to receive: absol., opposite to αἰτεῖν, Mat.7:8, al.; διδόναι, Mat.10:8, Act.20:35; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.27:6, Mrk.10:3o, al. mult.; with accusative of person(s), Jhn.6:21 13:20 19:27, 2Jo.10; ῥαπίσμασιν (a vulgarism; Bl., §38, 3), Mrk.14:65; metaphorically, τ. λόγον, Mat.13:20, Mrk.4:16; τ. μαρτυρίαν, Jhn.3:11; τ. ῥήματα, Jhn.12:48; πρόσωπον (Heb. נָשָׂא פָּנִים, Dalman, Words, 30), Luk.20:21, Gal.2:6; ζωὴν αἰώνιον (Dalman, op. cit., 124f.), Mrk.10:30 (cf. ἀνα-, ἀντι-, συν-αντι- (-μαι), ἀπο-, ἐπι-, κατα-, μετα-, παρα-, συν-παρα-, προ-, προσ-, συν-, συν-περι-, ὑπο-λαμβάνω). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 248 NT verses. KJV: accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up) See also: 1 Corinthians 2:12; John 10:18; 1 Peter 4:10.
δε de G1161 "then" Conj
This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.
Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.
εγογγυζον gonguzō G1111 "to murmur" Verb-IAI-3P
To grumble or murmur is the meaning of this word, used in Matthew 20:11 and John 6:41. It describes complaining or discontent.
Definition: γογγύζω, [in LXX chiefly for לוּן ;] to mutter, murmur: 1Co.10:10; before κατά, Mat.20:11; πρός, Luk.5:30; περί, Jhn.6:41, 61; μετ᾽ ἀλλήλων, Jhn.6:43; with accusative, before περί, Jhn.7:32 (cf. δια-γογγύζω).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7 NT verses. KJV: murmur See also: 1 Corinthians 10:10; John 6:61; Matthew 20:11.
κατα kata G2596 "according to" Prep
According to means following or matching something. In the Bible, it's used to talk about things happening in line with God's plan or will, like in Matthew 8:32 and Mark 5:13.
Definition: κατά (bef. a vowel κατ᾽, καθ᾽; on the frequently neglect of elision, see Tdf., Pr., 95; WH, App., 146a), prep. with genitive, accusative, down, downwards. __I. C. genitive (WM, §47, k; Bl., §42, 2). __1. C. genitive of thing(s), in local sense; __(a) down, down from: Mat.8:32, Mrk.5:13, Luk.8:33, 1Co.11:4; __(b) throughout (late usage; Bl, l.with): κ. ὅλης κ.τ.λ., Luk.4:14 23:5, Act.9:31 10:37; __(with) in a peculiar adjectival phrase: ἡ κ. βάθους, deep or extreme poverty, 2Co.8:2. __ __2. C. genitive of person(s), usually in hostile sense; __(a) against (in cl. only after verbs of speaking, witnessing, etc.): opposite to ὑπέρ, Mrk.9:40; μετά, Mat.12:30; after ἐπιθυμεῖν, Gal.5:17; λαλεῖν, Act.6:13; διδάσκειν, Act.21:28; ψεύδεσθαι, Jas.3:14; after verbs of accusing, etc., Mat.5:23, Luk.23:14, Rom.8:33, al.; verbs of fighting, prevailing, etc., Mat.10:35, Act.14:2, 1Co.4:6, al.; __(b) of swearing, by: όμνυμι κ. (BL, §34, 1), He 6:13,16, cf. Mat.26:63. __II. C. accusative (WM, §49d; BL, §42, 2). __1. Of motion or direction; __(a) through, throughout: Luk.8:39 9:6 10:4, Act.8:1, 36 al.; __(b) to, towards, over against: Luk.10:32 (Field, Notes, 62), Act.2:1o 16:7, Gal.2:11, Php.3:14, al.; __ __(with) in adverbial phrases, at, in, by, of: κατ᾽ οἶκον, at home, Act.2:46; κατ᾽ ἰδίαν (see: ἴδιος); καθ᾽ ἑαυτόν, Act.28:16, Rom.14:22, Jas.2:17; with pron. of person(s), Act.17:28 18:15, Rom.1:15, Eph.1:15, al. __2. Of time, at, during, about: Act.8:26 12:1 19:23, Rom.9:9 Heb.1:10, al. __3. Distributive; __(a) of place: κ. τόποὐς, Mat.24:7, al.; κ. πόλιν, Luk.8:1, 4 al.; κ. ἐκκλησίαν, Act.14:23. __(b) of time: κ. ἔτος, Luk.2:41; ἑορτήν, Mat.27:15, al.; __(with) of numbers, etc.: καθ᾽ ἕνα πάντες, 1Co.14:31 (on καθ᾽ εἷς, see: εἷς); κ. ἑκατόν, Mrk.6:40; κ. μέρος, Heb.9:5; κ. ὄνομα, Jhn.10:3. __4. Of fitness, reference, conformity, etc.; __(a) in relation to, concerning: Rom.1:3, 4 7:22 9:3, 5, 1Co.12:6 10:18, Php.1:12; κ. πάντα, Act.17:22, Col.3:20, 22 Heb.2:17 4:15; __(b) according to, after, like: Mrk.7:5, Luk.2:27, 29 Jhn.7:24 Rom.8:4 14:15, Eph.2:2, Col.2:8, Jas.2:8, al. __III. In composition, κ. denotes, __1. down, down from (καταβαίνω), etc.), hence, metaphorically; __(a) victory or rule over (καταδουλόω, -κυριεύω, etc.); __(b) "perfective" action (M, Pr., 111ff.). __2. under (κατακαλύπτω), etc.). __3. in succession (καθεξῆς). __4. after, behind (καταλείπω). __5. Hostility, against (καταλαλέω). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 435 NT verses. KJV: about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from … to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), … by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with See also: 1 Corinthians 1:26; Acts 10:37; 1 Peter 1:2.
του ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GSM
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
οικοδεσποτου oikodespotēs G3617 "householder" Noun-GSM
A householder is the master or head of a family, as mentioned in Matthew 10:25 and Luke 12:39. This person is responsible for the household and its members, making important decisions for their well-being.
Definition: οἰκο-δεσπότης, -ου, ὁ (οἶκος, δεσπότης), the master of a house, a householder: Mat.10:25 13:27 20:11 24:43, Mrk.14:14, Luk.12:39 13:25 14:21; ἄνθρωπος οἰ., Mat.13:52 20:1 21:33; pleonast., oἰ. τ. οἰκίας, Luk.22:11 (see Bl., § 81, 4).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 12 NT verses. KJV: goodman (of the house), householder, master of the house See also: Luke 12:39; Matthew 13:27; Matthew 24:43.

Study Notes — Matthew 20:11

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 1 Thessalonians 2:16 hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon them.
2 Luke 19:7 And all who saw this began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinful man!”
3 Acts 22:21–22 Then He said to me, ‘Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’” The crowd listened to Paul until he made this statement. Then they lifted up their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He is not fit to live!”
4 Acts 13:45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying.
5 Luke 15:2 So the Pharisees and scribes began to grumble: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
6 Acts 11:2–3 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers took issue with him and said, “You visited uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
7 Luke 5:30 But the Pharisees and their scribes complained to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
8 Luke 15:28–30 The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look, all these years I have served you and never disobeyed a commandment of yours. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
9 Jude 1:16 These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.

Matthew 20:11 Summary

This verse, Matthew 20:11, shows how the workers started to complain when they received their pay, because they thought it wasn't fair. But the story teaches us that God is a generous and loving Father, who gives us what we need, not just what we deserve (Romans 8:32). We can learn to trust in His goodness and provision, and not compare ourselves to others, just like the workers did. By doing so, we can cultivate a spirit of gratitude and contentment, knowing that our worth and value come from God, not from our work or achievements (1 Corinthians 4:7).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the workers grumble against the landowner in Matthew 20:11?

The workers grumbled because they felt they deserved more pay than those who were hired later, as seen in Matthew 20:12, where they express their dissatisfaction with the landowner's decision to pay them all the same amount, as stated in Matthew 20:9-10.

Is it wrong to expect fair compensation for our work?

While it's natural to expect fair compensation, the Bible teaches that our worth and value come from God, not from our work, as seen in Psalm 139:14, and that we should trust in His provision, as stated in Philippians 4:19.

What can we learn from the landowner's response to the workers' grumbling?

The landowner's response, as seen in Matthew 20:13-15, teaches us that God is sovereign and generous, and that His ways are not always our ways, as stated in Isaiah 55:8-9, and that we should trust in His goodness and fairness.

How does this verse relate to the concept of grace and mercy?

This verse illustrates the concept of grace and mercy, as the landowner shows kindness and generosity to all the workers, regardless of their contribution, as seen in Matthew 20:9-10, and this reflects God's character, as stated in Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 3:24.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some areas in my life where I may be grumbling or complaining, and how can I cultivate a spirit of gratitude and trust in God's provision?
  2. How do I respond when I feel like I'm not being treated fairly or rewarded for my efforts, and what can I learn from the landowner's response to the workers?
  3. In what ways can I demonstrate generosity and kindness to others, reflecting the character of the landowner in this parable?
  4. What does this verse teach me about God's sovereignty and goodness, and how can I apply this to my everyday life?

Gill's Exposition on Matthew 20:11

And when they had received it,.... The external privileges of the Gospel dispensation, an inheritance among them that are sanctified, and a right unto it, on the foot of free grace, they murmured

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 20:11

And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house , [ oikodespotou (G3617)] - rather, 'the

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 20:11

See Poole on "".

Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 20:11

11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Ver. 11. They murmured, &c.] They had what they agreed for, some temporal blessings, which is all that carnal men commonly care for. Or if any seek after spiritual things, it is not for any beauty he seeth or taste he findeth in them, but only as a bridge to bring them to heaven; as Spira confessed of himself. It is not good therefore to indent and bargain with God how much he shall give us, either of temporals or spirituals; for so you may have your penny, and yet be discontented that it is but a penny, and no more. Profits, pleasures, honours, appear to be but empty things, when men are to go into another world.

Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 20:11

(11) They murmured—i.e., as the Greek tense shows, with repeated and prolonged murmurs. The goodman of the house.—Better, householder. The Greek word is the same as in Matthew 20:1, and the archaic English phrase is a needless variation.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 20:11

Verse 11. They murmured] The Jews made the preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles, a pretence why they should reject that Gospel; as they fondly imagined they were, and should be, the sole objects of the Divine approbation. How they murmured because the Gentiles were made partakers of the kingdom of God; see Acts 11:1, &c., and Acts 15:1, &c. There are many similitudes of this kind among the Jews, where the principal part even of the phraseology of our Lord's parable may be found. Several of them may be seen in Schoettgen. Our Lord, however, as in all other cases, has greatly improved the language, scope, design, and point of the similitude. He was, in all cases, an eminent master of the sentences.

Barnes' Notes on Matthew 20:11

Murmured - Complained; found fault with. The goodman of the house - The original here is the same word which in Matthew 20:1 is translated householder, and should have been so translated here.

Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 20:11

11. Murmured — The arithmetical spirit of Peter is close akin to quarrelling with Christ, if he, an apostle forsooth, should not be paid with a richer heaven than some Samaritan or Gentile converts.

Sermons on Matthew 20:11

SermonDescription
Jonathan Edwards When the Wicked Shall Have Filled Up the Measure of Their Sin, Wrath Will Come Upon Them to the Uttermost by Jonathan Edwards Jonathan Edwards preaches about the consequences of continuing in sin and filling up the measure of one's sins, leading to the ultimate wrath of God coming upon them to the uttermo
St. John Chrysostom Homily 37 on the Acts of the Apostles by St. John Chrysostom John Chrysostom preaches on the journey of Paul and his companions through various cities, emphasizing Paul's dedication to sharing the Gospel with both Jews and Gentiles. Despite
David Servant Day 59, 1 Thessalonians 2 by David Servant David Servant preaches about Paul's journey from being tested and approved by God to being entrusted with the gospel, emphasizing the importance of being found faithful in ministry
David Smithers Repentance - Part 3 by David Smithers In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Zacchaeus and his encounter with Jesus. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus as the King and being hungry for Him.
St. John Chrysostom 1 Timothy 1:1, 2 by St. John Chrysostom John Chrysostom preaches about the dignity of an Apostle, emphasizing Paul's humility in being called by the commandment of God as an Apostle of Jesus Christ. Paul's authority as a
Jim Cymbala Book of Acts Series - Part 30 | How God Builds by Jim Cymbala In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that God uses people who are filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit to spread Christianity. The speaker highlights that the early Christian
D.L. Moody Does God Answer Prayer? by D.L. Moody In this sermon, the preacher delves into the meaning of 'antilego,' which signifies contradicting, opposing, or speaking against biblical truth. The term is used in various context

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