Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 20:15

"Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? or is thine eye evil, because I am good?" — Matthew 20:15 (ASV)

Is your eye evil because I am good? The Hebrews used the word evil, when applied to the eye, to denote one envious and malicious (Deuteronomy 15:9; Proverbs 23:6). The eye is called evil in such cases, because envy and malice show themselves directly in the eye. No passions are so fully expressed by the eye as these. "Does envy show itself in the eye? Is your eye so soon turned to express envy and malice, because I have chosen to do good?"