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Matthew 20:13

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

But he answered one of them and said, 'Friend, I'm not doing you dirty here. Didn't we shake hands on a penny for the day's work?'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

Sometimes fair doesn't mean equal, it means keeping your word.

📚 Historical Context

In the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, Jesus tells a story about a landowner who hires laborers at different times of the day but pays them all the same wage, highlighting themes of grace and divine fairness. This parable, found in Matthew's Gospel, was likely shared during Jesus' ministry to illustrate the unexpected ways of God's kingdom, contrasting human notions of justice with God's generosity. It draws from the cultural context of first-century Jewish society, where day laborers were common and wages were agreed upon upfront.

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