📖 Biblical Definition
Christ's parable in Matthew 20:1-16. A vineyard owner hires laborers at dawn for a denarius (a fair day's wage). At the third, sixth, ninth, and eleventh hours he hires more workers. At day's end he pays them all the same denarius. The early hires murmur; the owner replies: is thine eye evil, because I am good? The parable closes with one of Christ's most-quoted reversals: so the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
LABORERS IN , n.
expand to see more
A scriptural parable of Christ; laborers in the vineyard receiving equal wages despite unequal hours.
📖 Key Scripture
Matthew 20:9 — "When they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny."
Matthew 20:13 — "Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?"
Matthew 20:15 — "Is thine eye evil, because I am good?"
Matthew 20:16 — "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity prefers fair wages; the kingdom operates on grace, not seniority.
expand to see more
The laborers' parable rebukes the moral instinct most modern hearts hold dear: equal pay for equal work. The kingdom of heaven runs on a different economy. The owner is not unfair; he gave each man what he agreed to. He is generous, paying the latecomers the same daily wage he paid the early hires. The early hires' complaint is not against injustice; it is against grace.
Modern Christianity often resents grace toward latecomers. The deathbed convert, the reformed prodigal, the prison-yard believer — receives the same heaven as the lifelong saint. The murmur of the early hires is the murmur of the Pharisee; do not let it become yours. Rejoice over every laborer the Master hires — even at the eleventh hour. The eye is evil that resents the goodness of the Lord.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek roots below.
expand to see more
G292 — ampelon — vineyard
G1220 — denarion — denarius
Usage
"Modern Christianity prefers fair wages; the kingdom runs on grace, not seniority."
"The early hires' complaint is not against injustice; it is against grace."
"Rejoice over every laborer the Master hires — even at the eleventh hour."