American Standard Version
Matthew 20:3
3And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing in the marketplace idle;
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
1For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that was a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. 2And when he had agreed with the laborers for a shilling a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing in the marketplace idle; 4and to them he said, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 5Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.
Read all of Matthew 20Matthew 20:3 word by word
καὶ ἐξελθὼν περὶ τρίτην ὥραν εἶδεν ἄλλους ἑστῶτας ἐν τῇ ἀγορᾷ ἀργούςRead the interlinear
Cross-references for Matthew 20:3
- Mark 15:25And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
- Acts 2:15For these are not drunken, as ye suppose; seeing it is but the third hour of the day;
- Matthew 20:6And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing; and he saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
- Matthew 11:16But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the marketplaces, who call unto their fellows
- Proverbs 19:15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; And the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
- Ezekiel 16:49Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom: pride, fulness of bread, and prosperous ease was in her and in her daughters; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
- Acts 17:17So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that met him.
- 1 Timothy 5:13And withal they learn also to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
- Hebrews 6:12that ye be not sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit 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
In the dictionaries
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
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries