Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 20:3-4

"And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing in the marketplace idle; and to them he said, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way." — Matthew 20:3-4 (ASV)

Hating indolence and grieving that he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, he hired more workers about the third hour. They would work only three-quarters of a day, but it was for their good to stop loafing at the street corner.

These are like people whose childhood is past, but who are not yet old. They are favored to have a good part of their day of life available for hallowed service.

To these the good householder said, “Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you.” He pointed to those already in the field and said, “Go ye also,” and he promised them, not a definite sum as he did those whom he first hired, but he said, “Whatsoever is right I will give you.”

They went their way to their labor, for they did not wish to remain idlers, and as right-minded men, they could not quarrel with the householder’s agreement to give them whatever was right. Oh, that those around us, who are in their rising manhood, would at once take up their tools and begin to serve the great Lord!

And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

Hating indolence, and grieving that he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, he hired more workers about the third hour.

They would make only three-quarters of a day; but it was for their good to cease from loafing at the street-corner. These are like persons whose childhood is past, but who are not yet old. They are favored to have a good part of their day of life available for hallowed service.

To these the good householder said, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. He pointed to those already in the field, and said, Go ye also; and he promised them not a definite sum, as he did those whom he first hired, but he said, Whatsoever is right I will give you. They went their way to their labour, for they did not wish to remain idlers; and as right-minded men, they could not quarrel with the householder's agreement to give them whatever was right. Oh, that those around us, who are in their rising manhood, would at once take up their tools, and begin to serve the great Lord!