MAT 20:15 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Or is it not lawful for me to do what I desire with what is mine? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’

UST Our law allows me to do what I like with what I own. You should not be jealous because I am being generous!’

BSB Do I not have the right to do as I please with what [is] mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

MSB Do I not have the right to do as I please with what [is] mine? Or are you envious[fn] because I am generous?’

BLB Or is it not lawful for me to do what I will with that which is mine? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?'

AICNT Is it not lawful for me to do what I want with my own? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’

OEB Don’t I have the right to do as I choose with what is mine? Are you envious because I am generous?”

WEBBE Isn’t it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?’

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Am I not permitted to do what I want with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

LSV is it not lawful to me to do what I will in my own? Is your eye evil because I am good?

FBV Can't I choose to do what I want with my own money? Why should you give me evil looks because I want to do good?’

TCNT [fn]Or is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is mine? [fn]Are yoʋ envious because I am good?’

20:15 Or is ¦ Is SBL WH

20:15 Are ¦ Or are CT

T4T I certainly have a right to spend my money as I desire [RHQ], including paying those laborers what I desire to pay them. ◄You should not be envious about my being generous!/Are you angry [MET] because I am generous?► [RHQ]’ ”

LEB Is it not[fn] permitted for me to do whatever I want with what is mine? Or is your eye evil because I am generous?’

20:15 Some manuscripts have “Or is it not”

BBE Have I not the right to do as seems good to me in my house? or is your eye evil, because I am good?

Moff Can I not do as I please with what belongs to me? Have you a grudge because I am generous?'

Wymth Have I not a right to do what I choose with my own property? Or are you envious because I am generous?'

ASV Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? or is thine eye evil, because I am good?

DRA Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? is thy eye evil, because I am good?

YLT is it not lawful to me to do what I will in mine own? is thine eye evil because I am good?

Drby is it not lawful for me to do what I will in my own affairs? Is thine eye evil because I am good?

RV Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? or is thine eye evil, because I am good?
(Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? or is thine/your eye evil, because I am good? )

SLT Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my things? Or is thine eye evil because I am good.

Wbstr Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own? is thy eye evil because I am good?

KJB-1769 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
( Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine/your eye evil, because I am good? )

KJB-1611 Is it not lawfull for mee to doe what I wil with mine owne? Is thine eye euill, because I am good?
(Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine owne? Is thine/your eye evil, because I am good?)

Bshps Is it not lawfull for me, to do that I wyll with myne owne? Is thyne eye euyll, because I am good?
(Is it not lawful for me, to do that I will with mine owne? Is thine/your eye evil, because I am good?)

Gnva Is it not lawfull for me to do as I will with mine owne? Is thine eye euil, because I am good?
(Is it not lawful for me to do as I will with mine owne? Is thine/your eye evil, because I am good? )

Cvdl Or haue I not power, to do as me listeth with myne owne? Is thine eye euell, because I am good?
(Or have I not power, to do as me listeth with mine owne? Is thine/your eye evil, because I am good?)

TNT Ys it not lawfull for me to do as me listeth with myne awne? Ys thyne eye evyll because I am good?
(Is it not lawful for me to do as me listeth with mine awne? Is thine/your eye evil because I am good? )

Wycl Whether it is not leueful to me to do that that Y wole? Whether thin iye is wickid, for Y am good?
(Whether it is not lawful to me to do that that I wole? Whether thin eye is wicked, for I am good?)

Luth Oder habe ich nicht Macht zu tun, was ich will, mit dem Meinen? Siehest du darum scheel, daß ich so gütig bin?
(Or have I not power(n) to/for do/put, what/which I will, with to_him Meinen? See you(sg) therefore jealous, that I so kind bin?)

ClVg Aut non licet mihi quod volo, facere? an oculus tuus nequam est, quia ego bonus sum?[fn]
(Aut not/no although to_me that I_want, to_do? an the_eye your(sg) wicked/worthless it_is, because I good/kind/gracious sum? )

20.15 Aut non licet. Stulta quæstio contra bonitatem Dei. Quærendum esset, non si daret quod non deberet: sed si non quod deberet. An oculus tuus, etc. Vere Judæi pravam intentionem habuerunt qui prohibuerunt apostolos gentibus loqui, ut salvæ fierent.

20.15 Aut not/no although. Stulta questio on_the_contrary goodness of_God. Whichrendum was, not/no when/but_if would_give that not/no to_have_tot: but when/but_if not/no that to_have_tot. An the_eye your(sg), etc. Vere Jews bad intention they_had who/which prohibuerunt apostles nations to_speak, as salvæ they_would_be.

UGNT ἢ οὐκ ἔξεστίν μοι, ὃ θέλω ποιῆσαι ἐν τοῖς ἐμοῖς? ἢ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου πονηρός ἐστιν, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἀγαθός εἰμι?
(aʸ ouk exestin moi, ho thelō poiaʸsai en tois emois? aʸ ho ofthalmos sou ponaʸros estin, hoti egō agathos eimi?)

SBL-GNT ⸀οὐκ ἔξεστίν μοι ⸂ὃ θέλω ποιῆσαι⸃ ἐν τοῖς ἐμοῖς; ⸀ἢ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου πονηρός ἐστιν ὅτι ἐγὼ ἀγαθός εἰμι;
(⸀ouk exestin moi ⸂ho thelō poiaʸsai⸃ en tois emois; ⸀aʸ ho ofthalmos sou ponaʸros estin hoti egō agathos eimi;)

RP-GNT Ἢ οὐκ ἔξεστίν μοι ποιῆσαι ὃ θέλω ἐν τοῖς ἐμοῖς; Εἰ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου πονηρός ἐστιν, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἀγαθός εἰμι;
(Aʸ ouk exestin moi poiaʸsai ho thelō en tois emois; Ei ho ofthalmos sou ponaʸros estin, hoti egō agathos eimi;)

TC-GNT [fn]Ἢ οὐκ ἔξεστί μοι [fn]ποιῆσαι ὃ θέλω ἐν τοῖς ἐμοῖς; [fn]Εἰ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου πονηρός ἐστιν, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἀγαθός εἰμι;
(Aʸ ouk exesti moi poiaʸsai ho thelō en tois emois; Ei ho ofthalmos sou ponaʸros estin, hoti egō agathos eimi; )

20:15 η ¦ — SBL WH

20:15 ποιησαι ο θελω ¦ ο θελω ποιησαι CT

20:15 ει ¦ η CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 20:1–16: Jesus told a parable about vineyard workers

In this section, Jesus told a parable about some vineyard workers and the man who owned the vineyard. Even though the workers worked for a different number of hours, the owner gave them all the same pay. This parable continues the discussion about rewards for being a disciple (19:27–29). It also helps to explain the meaning of the saying “many who are first will be last, and the last will be first” (19:30). The main point of the parable is about God’s grace. In the kingdom, God gives his servants much more than they deserve. In the kingdom, the values are different than the values here on earth.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The story about men who worked in a field of grapes

A story that shows God’s generosity/grace

Rewards for serving God

This parable occurs only in the book of Matthew.

20:15a

Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine?

It is lawful for me to do what I want to with my money, is it not?
I can do what I want with my own money. (NCV)

Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine?: This is a rhetorical question. The owner used this rhetorical question to emphasize that he had the right to do what he wanted to do with his own money. He also used this rhetorical question as a mild rebuke.

Here are some other ways to translate this emphasis and rebuke:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? (NIV)
It is lawful for me to do what I want with my own money, is it not?
As a statement. For example:
I can do what I want with my own money. (NCV)

Translate this rebuke and emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

Do I not have the right: The Greek word that the BSB translates as have the right refers to doing something that is lawful or right.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Is it not lawful for me (KJV)

Is it against the law (NLT)

Don’t I have the right (CEV)

to do as I please: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as I please is more literally “I want.” The same verb occurs in 20:14b. Translate it here as you did there.

with what is mine?: The words what is mine refer to “my things” or “my money.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

with what is mine

with my own money (REB)

20:15b

Or are you envious because I am generous?’

Why are you envious when I am generous?’
You should not be jealous of the people to whom I am generous/good.’”

Or: One of the functions of the conjunction Or is to introduce a question that is parallel to a previous question. This conjunction also adds additional information. Here Or does not function to separate things. It does not indicate that only one of the two questions is true.

Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. For example:

Are you jealous because I am good to those people?’ (NCV)

In some languages, it will not be natural to translate this conjunction either.

are you envious because I am generous?: This is a rhetorical question. It is a rebuke. The owner rebuked the worker for being jealous of his generosity toward the other workers.

Here are some other ways to translate this rebuke:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
Why should you be envious because I am generous? (NJB)
Are you jealous because I am good to those people? (NCV)
As a statement. For example:
You should not be jealous because I am good/generous towards other people
As a command. For example:
Do not be jealous of the ones to whom I have been generous.

Translate this rebuke in a way that is natural in your language.

are you envious: The Greek clause that the BSB translates as are you envious is more literally “is your eye evil?” This is an idiom. In Jesus’ time, there were many uses of this idiom. In this context, it probably refers to jealousy or envy.

Here are some other ways to translate this idiom:

are you envious (NET)

Why should you be jealous (CEV)

are you annoyed

because I am generous: The Greek clause that the BSB translates as because I am generous is more literally “because I am good.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

because I am good

because I am kind to others (NLT)

General Comment on 20:15b

Verse 20:15b is the end of the owner’s speech and the end of Jesus’ parable. The BSB indicates this with closing quotes. Your translation should clearly indicate that the parable ends here.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

ἢ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἤ οὐκ ἔξεστιν μοί ὅ θέλω ποιῆσαι ἐν τοῖς ἐμοῖς Ἤ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σοῦ πονηρός ἐστίν ὅτι ἐγώ ἀγαθός εἰμί)

the word Or introduces a contrasting alternative to what the master of the house has said about what he wants to do. He then uses the question form to show that this alternate is wrong. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a false alternative, or you could leave Or untranslated. Alternate translation: [Indeed,] or [As a matter of fact,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

ἢ οὐκ ἔξεστίν μοι, ὃ θέλω ποιῆσαι ἐν τοῖς ἐμοῖς?

The master of the house is using the question form to remind the worker that he can do what he wants with his own things. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: [Remember that it is lawful for me to do what I desire with what is mine.] or [It is certainly lawful for me to do what I desire with what is mine!]

Note 3 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

(Occurrence 2) ἢ

Here, the word Or introduces a second question that again shows that the worker should not complain about how the master of the house is behaving. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a similar idea, or you could leave Or untranslated. Alternate translation: [Again,] or [Even further,]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

ἢ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου πονηρός ἐστιν, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἀγαθός εἰμι?

The master of the house is using the question form to rebuke the worker. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: [Your eye should not be evil because I am good.] or [Do not let your eye be evil because I am good!]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου πονηρός ἐστιν

the eye (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἤ οὐκ ἔξεστιν μοί ὅ θέλω ποιῆσαι ἐν τοῖς ἐμοῖς Ἤ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σοῦ πονηρός ἐστίν ὅτι ἐγώ ἀγαθός εἰμί)

When the master of the house speaks of a person’s eye as evil, he means that the person is jealous or envious. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable phrase or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [do you feel jealousy] or [are you envious]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / yousingular

σου

Because the master of the house is speaking to one of the workers, the word your is singular.

Parallel MAT 20:15

Section 20:1–16: Jesus told a parable about vineyard workers

20:15a

20:15b

General Comment on 20:15b