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 a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2After agreeing with the workers on one denarius, he sent them into his vineyard for the day. When he went out about nine in the morning, he saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4He said to them, ‘You also go into my vineyard, and I’ll give you whatever is right.’ So off they went. 5About noon and about three, he went out again 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 15:25Now it was nine in the morning when they crucified him.
• Acts 2:15For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it’s only nine in the morning.
• Matthew 20:6Then about five he went and found others standing around and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day doing nothing?’
• Matthew 11:16“To what should I compare this generation? It’s like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to other children:
• Proverbs 19:15Laziness induces deep sleep, and a lazy person will go hungry.
• Ezekiel 16:49Now this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters had pride, plenty of food, and comfortable security, but didn’t support the poor and needy.
• Acts 17:17So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
• 1 Timothy 5:13At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say.
• Hebrews 6:12so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.

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