Matthew Chapter 20 verse 15 Holy Bible
Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? or is thine eye evil, because I am good?
read chapter 20 in ASV
Have I not the right to do as seems good to me in my house? or is your eye evil, because I am good?
read chapter 20 in BBE
is it not lawful for me to do what I will in my own affairs? Is thine eye evil because *I* am good?
read chapter 20 in DARBY
Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
read chapter 20 in KJV
read chapter 20 in WBT
Isn't it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?'
read chapter 20 in WEB
is it not lawful to me to do what I will in mine own? is thine eye evil because I am good?
read chapter 20 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 15. - With mine own; ἐν τοῖς ἐμοῖς: in the case of what is mine own. These words are omitted by the Vulgate, which has, Aut (η}) non licet mihi quod volo facere? Is thine eye evil? The evil eye is here expressive of envy, as Proverbs 28:22. The Latin word invidia, Cicero informs us ('Tusc. Disp..' 3:9), "ductum est a nimis intuendo fortunam alterius." For nimis Bentley conjectures limis, "with sidelong glances." The idea is the same, envy being indicated by the look of the eye. Good; generous. Why should you view with disfavour my liberality? The master says no more; he gives no further account of his determination.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(15) Is it not lawful . . .?--The question is not that of one who asserts an arbitrary right; it appeals tacitly to a standard which none could question. As far as the labourer was concerned, the householder had a right to give freely of what was his own. He was responsible to God only. In the interpretation of the parable, God was Himself the Householder, and men ought to have sufficient faith in Him to accept the gifts to some which wrought no wrong to others as in harmony with absolute righteousness.Is thine eye evil?--The "evil eye" was, as in Proverbs 28:22, that which looked with envy and ill will at the prosperity of others. In Mark 7:22, it appears among the "evil things" that come from the heart. Popularly, as the derivation of the word "envy" (from invidere) shows, such a glance was thought to carry with it a kind of magic power to injure, and was to be averted, in the superstitious belief which still lingers in the East and many parts of Europe, by charms and amulets.
