And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

This passage from the parable of the workers in the vineyard highlights a central theme of grace and divine generosity. Workers who labored for different durations receive the same payment, illustrating God's equal reward of eternal life to all believers, regardless of when they come to faith. The reaction of the early workers, who expected more due to their longer hours, underscores human tendencies towards jealousy and fairness based on effort. However, Jesus uses this story to teach that God's kingdom operates on principles of grace rather than human merit. The phrase "borne the burden and heat of the day" conveys the toil of the longer-serving workers and reflects a common human expectation that greater effort should yield greater reward. Yet, it is a reminder that divine grace transcends human notions of justice.