Matthew 20:3
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
American King James Version (AKJV)
And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
American Standard Version (ASV)
And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing in the marketplace idle;
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And he went out about the third hour, and saw others in the market-place doing nothing;
Webster's Revision
And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market-place,
World English Bible
He went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace.
English Revised Version (ERV)
And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing in the marketplace idle;
Clarke's Matthew 20:3 Bible Commentary
The third hour - Nine o'clock in the morning.
Market-place - Where laborers usually stood till they were hired. I have often seen laborers standing in the market places of large towns in these countries, waiting to be employed.
Barnes's Matthew 20:3 Bible Commentary
About the third hour - The Jews divided their days into twelve equal parts, or hours, beginning at sunrise and ending at sunset. This was, therefore about nine o'clock in the morning.
Standing idle in the market-place - A place where provisions are sold in towns. Of course, many resort to such places, and it would be the readiest place to meet persons and find employers. They were not, therefore, disposed to be idle, but were waiting in the proper place to find employers.