When the laborers in the vineyard received "every man a penny," those who had begun work early in the day were offended. Had they not worked for twelve hours? they reasoned, and was it not right that they should receive more than those who had worked for only one hour in the cooler part of the day? "These last have wrought but one hour," they said, "and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day."

Da arbejderne i vingården fik udbetalt "hver en denar", knurrede de, der havde begyndt arbejdet tidligt på dagen. Havde de ikke arbejdet i tolv timer og var det ikke på sin plads, at de skulle have mere end de, der kun havde arbejdet en time i den kølige tid af dagen?" De sidste dér har kun arbejdet én time," sagde de, "og du har stillet dem lige med os, som har båret dagens byrde og hede."