Matthew 20:10

10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more. But each of them also received a denarion.

Matthew 20:10 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 20:10

But when the first came
Who were early hired into the vineyard; and design either the first saints that were in the world; or the Jews that first believed in Christ, either really or nominally; or such, who were called by grace in their early days:

they supposed,
or "hoped", as the Syriac version renders it,

that they should have received more;
than a penny, a greater reward: not that they could expect it on the foot of their agreement, or on account of their work; but because they observed, that they that came last into the vineyard, had as much as they agreed for; and therefore hoped, from the goodness of their Lord to them, that they should receive more:

and they likewise received every man a penny;
the selfsame privileges of the Gospel, and a title to the selfsame reward of free grace, the selfsame glory and happiness.

Matthew 20:10 In-Context

8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the workers and give them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and moving on finally to the first.'

9 When those who were hired at five in the afternoon came, each one received a denarion.

10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more. But each of them also received a denarion.

11 When they received it, they grumbled against the landowner,

12 ‘These who were hired last worked one hour, and they received the same pay as we did even though we had to work the whole day in the hot sun.'