Matthew 20:10

10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius.

Matthew 20:10 in Other Translations

10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

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

10 When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage.

10 When those who were hired first saw that, they assumed they would get far more. But they got the same, each of them one dollar.

10 So when the first ones came, they assumed they would get more, but they also received a denarius each.

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 foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius.

10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius.

11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner.

12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’