A.T. Robertson Commentary Matthew 20:10

"And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received every man a shilling." — Matthew 20:10 (ASV)

Every man a penny (ανα δηναριον κα αυτο). Literally, "themselves also a denarius apiece" (distributive use of ανα). Bruce asks if this householder was a humorist when he began to pay off the last first and paid each one a denarius according to agreement. False hopes had been raised in those who came first who got only what they had agreed to receive.