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What the Bible Says About Hours

Overview

The Bible addresses hours across 12 verses, drawn from the New Testament. These passages cluster most in Matthew. Closely related themes include Contracts, Employee, Employer and Labor. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus.

Key Bible verses about hours

New Testament

Matthew

Matthew 20:3

And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

Matthew 20:4

And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

Matthew 20:5

Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

Matthew 20:6

And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

Matthew 20:7

They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

Matthew 20:8

So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

Matthew 20:9

And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

Matthew 20:10

But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

Matthew 20:11

And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,

Matthew 20:12

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. have wrought: or, have continued one hour only

Matthew 27:45

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

Matthew 27:46

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

People in the Bible and hours

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying hours for yourself

  • Begin with Matthew 20:3, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Consider the lives of Jesus and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Contracts, Employee, Employer and Labor.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about hours?

The Bible addresses hours across 12 verses, drawn from the New Testament. These passages cluster most in Matthew. Closely related themes include Contracts, Employee, Employer and Labor. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus.

How many Bible verses are about hours?

The Bible references hours in 12 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention hours?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Matthew 20:3: “And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,”

Which people in the Bible are associated with hours?

Jesus.

Preach & teach

Outline a sermon or build a study series on hours.

Preach a series on Hours