Matthew – Chapter 20

New Testament34 Verses

Chapter Summary

"The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard." — so begins Matthew 20. David stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 34 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's kingdom and kingship. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

2And having agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

3And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing in the marketplace idle.

4And he said to them: Go you also into my vineyard, and I will give you what shall be just.

5And they went their way. And again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did in like manner.

6But about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing, and he saith to them: Why stand you here all the day idle?

7They say to him: Because no man hath hired us. He saith to them: Go ye also into my vineyard.

8And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward: Call the labourers and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the first.

9When therefore they were come that came about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

10But when the first also came, they thought that they should receive more: And they also received every man a penny.

11And receiving it they murmured against the master of the house,

12Saying: These last have worked but one hour. and thou hast made them equal to us, that have borne the burden of the day and the heats.

13But he answering said to one of them: friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny?

14Take what is thine, and go thy way: I will also give to this last even as to thee.

15Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? Is thy eye evil, because I am good?

16So shall the last be first and the first last. For many are called but few chosen.

17And Jesus going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples apart and said to them:

18Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes: and they shall condemn him to death.

19And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified: and the third day he shall rise again.

20Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, adoring and asking something of him.

21Who said to her: What wilt thou? She saith to him: say that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom.

22And Jesus answering, said: You know not what you ask. Can you drink the chalice that I shall drink? They say to him: We can.

23He saith to them: My chalice indeed you shall drink; but to sit on my right or left hand is not mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared by my Father.

24And the ten, hearing it, were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

25But Jesus called them to him and said: You know that the princes of the Gentiles lord it over them; and that they that are the greater, exercise power upon them.

26It shall not be so among you: but whosoever is the greater among you, let him be your minister.

27And he that will be first among you shall be your servant.

28Even as the Son of man is not come to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a redemption for many.

29And when they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

30And behold two blind men sitting by the way side heard that Jesus passed by. And they cried out, saying: O Lord, thou son of David, have mercy on us.

31And the multitude rebuked them that they should hold their peace. But they cried out the more, saying: O Lord, thou son of David, have mercy on us.

32And Jesus stood and called them and said: What will ye that I do to you?

33They say to him: Lord, that our eyes be opened.

34And Jesus having compassion on them, touched their eyes. And immediately they saw and followed him.

Important Verses in Matthew 20

The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

Matthew 20:1

And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward: Call the labourers and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the first.

Matthew 20:8

Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? Is thy eye evil, because I am good?

Matthew 20:15

And the multitude rebuked them that they should hold their peace. But they cried out the more, saying: O Lord, thou son of David, have mercy on us.

Matthew 20:31

Historical Context

Matthew belongs to the New Testament and was composed for jewish Christians, shown that Jesus fulfills the Scriptures of Israel. Chapter 20 of 28 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 34 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. David appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard." The chapter ends with: "And Jesus having compassion on them, touched their eyes. And immediately they saw and followed him. " In terms of historical background, Matthew wrote for Jewish Christians, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets—the Son of David, the new Moses who delivers the Sermon on the Mount. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Matthew around About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition

When It Was Written

About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians

Catholic Commentary

In this 34-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes. A pivotal line is verse 1: "The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes. Matthew shows Christ as the new Moses and true Israel (CIC 577). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 721).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Matthew 20 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • God's mercy is greater than any sin; He calls us to receive His forgiveness and extend it to others.

People in This Chapter

David2 mentions

Reflection for Today

The late section of Matthew—Chapter 20 of 28—opens a particular moment in the story of Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes.

According to Catholic teaching, Matthew shows Christ as the new Moses and true Israel (CIC 577). This chapter especially highlights sacrificial love modeled on Christ, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 1604).

Let Matthew Chapter 20 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Matthew Chapter 20 about?

Matthew 20 contains 34 verses. It opens with "The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard." and closes with "And Jesus having compassion on them, touched their eyes. And immediately they saw and followed him. ". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in Matthew 20?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Matthew Chapter 20?

This chapter mentions David.

Who wrote Matthew and when?

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition. About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

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