A denarius (Good News Translation “the regular wage, a silver coin”) was the wage generally paid a laborer for a day’s work (see RSV footnote). The word was first used in 18.28. Some translators have retained both the form and function with a phrase such as “a denarius, the wages for a day.” Others have followed Barclay with “a normal day’s wage.” It is best not to use a local currency term. For one thing, that would remove the story from its biblical context, and for another, modern currencies change value far too quickly.

After agreeing with the laborers is rather elliptical. In many languages translators will have to state what they agreed to: “He agreed to pay them the regular wage” (Good News Translation) or “He came to an agreement with the workmen to work for a normal day’s wage” (Barclay).

He sent them into his vineyard, that is, he sent them to work in his vineyard. Translators should not specify the kind of work, such as pruning or harvesting, but use as general a term as possible.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .