Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 20:8

"And when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and pay them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first." — Matthew 20:8 (ASV)

When even was come. That is, when the twelfth hour had come, the day had ended, and the time of payment had come.

The steward. A steward is one who transacts business in place of another. He was one who had the administration of affairs in the absence of the householder, who provided for the family, and who was entrusted with the payment of labourers and servants. He was commonly the most trustworthy and faithful of the servants, raised to that station as a reward for his fidelity.

Beginning from the last unto the first. It was immaterial where he began to pay, provided he dealt justly with them. In the parable, this order is mentioned to give opportunity for the remarks that follow. Had those first hired been first paid, they would have departed satisfied, and the point of the parable would have been lost.