Matthew 20:3

Matthew 20:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
• New International Version (NIV)“About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
• New King James Version (NKJV)And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

Context of Matthew 20:3

1“For the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of an estate who went out in the morning at dawn to hire workmen for his vineyard. 2When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour (9:00 a.m.) and saw others standing idle in the market place; 4and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right (an appropriate wage).’ And they went. 5He went out about the sixth hour (noon) and the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.), and did the same thing.

Matthew 20:3 word by word

καὶ ἐξελθὼν περὶ τρίτην ὥραν εἶδεν ἄλλους ἑστῶτας ἐν τῇ ἀγορᾷ ἀργούςRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• he went outἐξέρχομαιexerchomai · to go outG1831
• aboutπερίperi · aboutG4012
• theὥραhōra · hourG5610
• thirdτρίτοςtritos · thirdG5154
• and sawὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
• othersἄλλοςallos · anotherG243
• standingἵστημιhistēmi · to standG2476
• idleἀργόςargos · idleG692
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the marketplaceἀγοράagora · marketplaceG58

Cross-references for Matthew 20:3

• Mark 15:25It was the third hour (9:00 a.m.) when they crucified Him.
• Acts 2:15These people are not drunk, as you assume, since it is [only] the third hour of the day (9:00 a.m.);
• Matthew 20:6And about the eleventh hour (5:00 p.m.) he went out and found others standing around, and he said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’
• Matthew 11:16“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like little children sitting in the market places, who call to the others,
• Proverbs 19:15Laziness casts one into a deep sleep [unmindful of lost opportunity], And the idle person will suffer hunger.
• Ezekiel 16:49Behold, this was the sin of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters (outlying cities) had arrogance, abundant food, and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy.
• Acts 17:17So he had discussions in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place day after day with any who happened to be there.
• 1 Timothy 5:13Now at the same time, they also learn to be idle as they go from house to house; and not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies [meddlers in things that do not concern them], talking about things they should not mention.
• Hebrews 6:12so that you will not be [spiritually] sluggish, but [will instead be] imitators of those who through faith [lean on God with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in His power] and by patient endurance [even when suffering] are [now] inheriting the promises.

Commentaries on Matthew 20:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3The third hour - Nine o'clock in the morning. Market-place - Where laborers usually stood till they were hired. I have often seen laborers standing in the market places of large towns in these countries, waiting to be employed.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3About the third hour - The Jews divided their days into twelve equal parts, or hours, beginning at sunrise and ending at sunset. This was, therefore about nine o‘clock in the morning. Standing idle in the market-place - A place where provisions are sold in towns. Of course, many resort to such places, and it would be the readiest place to meet persons and find employers. They were not, therefore, disposed to be idle, but were waiting in the proper place…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-16This parable is like the parable of the lost son (Luke 15:11–32). In both, God shows grace to two groups, but one complains about unfair treatment.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. And he went out about the third hour--about nine o'clock, or after a fourth of the working day had expired: the day of twelve hours was reckoned from six to six. and saw others standing idle in the market place--unemployed.Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 20:3

• Contracts
• Employee
• Gospel
• Hours
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• Kingdom of Heaven
• Labor
• Penny
• Reward
• Servant
• Vineyard
• Wages
• Wicked (People)

In the dictionaries

• Agree
• Choose
• Condemn
• Drink
• Hireling
• Idle
• Marketplace
• Prepare
• Ransom
• Wages

Commentaries on Matthew 20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings