ESV Study Bible | English Standard Version
Matthew 18:28
28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred h denarii, [1] and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’
Matthew 20:2
2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius [2] a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
Matthew 22:19
19 Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. [3]
Mark 6:37
37 But he answered them, q “You give them something to eat.” And r they said to him, s “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii [4] worth of bread and give it to them to eat?”
Mark 14:5
5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii [5] and d given to the poor.” And they e scolded her.
Luke 7:41
41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred a denarii, and the other fifty.
Luke 10:35
35 And the next day he took out two a denarii [6] and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’
John 6:7
7 r Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii [7] would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.”
Translation Notes
- [1] 18:28 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer
- [2] 20:2 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer
- [3] 22:19 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer
- [4] 6:37 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer
- [5] 14:5 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer
- [6] 10:35 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer
- [7] 6:7 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer
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Matt. 18:1–20:34 The Community of the Messiah Revealed. This is the fourth of Jesus' five major discourses in Matthew's Gospel (see Introduction: Key Themes; Literary Features). As his earthly ministry draws to a close, Jesus has spent considerable time clarifying his identity and mission (chs. 14–17). He instructs his disciples on the nature of his covenant community, explaining the kingdom community's characteristics (18:1–35), its implications for the sanctity of marriage (19:1–12), and its value (19:13–20:34).
Matt. 18:1–35 Characteristics of Life in the Kingdom Community. Jesus instructs the disciples about the kind of community life that will characterize their relationships with one another and with the world at large.
Matt. 18:28–32 a hundred denarii. This was still a large amount (equivalent to about 20 weeks of common labor, or about $12,000 in today's terms), but compared to the debt that the wicked servant himself owed ($6 billion), it was a relatively small amount. The servant's unwillingness to forgive even this amount, though having been forgiven his own insurmountable debt, reveals the servant's true wicked character (v. 32) and that he has not in fact been transformed by the forgiveness that his master has extended to him.
Matt. 19:1–20:34 Valuing the Kingdom Community. The great Galilean ministry has now ended, and Jesus and his disciples begin the momentous journey to Jerusalem. Jesus explains the sanctity of marriage (19:3–12) and reveals the tragedy of the rich young man (19:16–22), in contrast to the gracious reward awaiting those who follow him (19:23–30). This leads to the parable of the vineyard workers (20:1–16). Jesus then gives his third prediction of his death (20:17–19) and sets an example for community sacrifice, suffering, and service (20:20–28). As he and his disciples begin their ascent to Jerusalem, Jesus mercifully heals two blind men in Jericho (20:29–34).
Matt. 20:2–15 denarius. A typical day's wage for a laborer. third hour. 9:00 a.m. The workday was typically divided into four three-hour increments, running from approximately 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. eleventh hour. 5:00 p.m., near the end of the workday. These workers are desperate enough to continue waiting for work. each of them received a denarius. Surprisingly, the last laborers to be hired are paid a complete denarius, the same as those who had worked all day. Friend, I am doing you no wrong. The landowner addresses the worker gently, explaining the fairness of his actions. do you begrudge. Literally, “Is your eye evil?” The laborer failed to be thankful for his own wage because he was blinded by his self-interested lack of compassion for his fellow worker.
Matt. 21:1–23:39 The Messiah Asserts His Authority over Jerusalem. Jesus' authority over Jerusalem is revealed in his triumphal entry (21:1–11), actions in the temple (21:12–17), cursing the fig tree (21:18–22), debates with religious leaders (21:23–22:46), and woes pronounced on the teachers of the law and the Pharisees (23:1–39).
Matt. 21:23–22:46 Controversies in the Temple Court over Jesus' Authority. On Tuesday of Holy Week, Jesus presents three extended parables showing God's judgment on the leaders for not encouraging the people to accept Jesus' invitation to the kingdom of heaven (21:28–22:14). This is followed by a series of four interactions as the religious leaders try to trap Jesus, who in turn reveals his true identity as the Son of God (22:15–46).
Matt. 22:19 On one side of the silver denarius was a profile of Tiberius Caesar, with the Latin inscription “Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus” around the coin's perimeter. On the opposite side was a picture of the Roman goddess of peace, Pax, with the Latin inscription “High Priest.”
