Matthew 20:10

10 But the first came, and deemed, that they should take more, but they took each one by themselves a penny; [+Truly and the first coming deemed, that they were worthy to take more, truly and they took each one by himself a penny/but also they took even-pence.]

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 And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his procurator, Call the workmen, and yield to them their hire, and begin thou at the last till to the first [beginning at the last till to the first].

9 And so when they were come, that came about the eleventh hour, also they took every each of them a penny. [+Therefore when they came, that had come about the eleventh hour, also they took even-pence, that is, every man a penny.]

10 But the first came, and deemed, that they should take more, but they took each one by themselves a penny; [+Truly and the first coming deemed, that they were worthy to take more, truly and they took each one by himself a penny/but also they took even-pence.]

11 and in the taking they grumbled against the husbandman, [And they taking grutched against the husbandman,]

12 and said [saying], These last wrought one hour, and thou hast made them even to us, that have borne the charge of the day, and [the] heat?