Matthew 20:2
ESV
After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
NIV
He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
NASB
When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard.
CSB
After agreeing with the workers on one denarius, he sent them into his vineyard for the day.
NLT
He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work.
KJV
And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
NKJV
Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
What does Matthew 20:2 mean?
This is part of another parable Christ uses to explain an aspect of the kingdom of heaven. This is in response to Peter's question about what he and the other disciples will receive for leaving behind everything to follow Jesus. Jesus has assured them they will be richly rewarded, but He seems to be warning them with this story that others who have done less will also receive a reward (Matthew 19:27–30).He is describing the master of a house, the owner of a vineyard, who has gone to the marketplace to hire temporary workers or day laborers. As farmers do today, it was common in this era for a vineyard owner to employ workers by the day, especially during the harvest.
The typical workday was divided into four three-hour blocks of time, beginning about 6 a.m. and ending around 6 p.m. The master of the house hires this first group of workers early in the morning. They agree to work the full day for a denarius, the typical wage of a laborer or soldier. He sends them to the vineyard to get to work.
