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Matthew 20:1-15: a Parable of Invidious Comparison and Evil Eye Accusation

The parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-15) contains one of numerous biblical references to the Evil Eye. Belief in the Evil Eye, its expression of envy, and its destructive power pervaded the ancient world of the Circum-Mediterranean. The frequent references to the Evil Eye in the Bible—modern translations and commentaries notwithstanding-indicate the extent to which the biblical communities also shared this belief. The present study reviews salient features of Evil Eye belief and behavior, typical aspects of the environment in which the belief has flourished, and references to the Evil Eye in the biblical writings. This information clarifies the cultural script latent in the Evil Eye parable of Matthew. The thesis advanced is that Matt 20:1-15 is a parable in which a typical Evil Eye accusation is employed to denounce envy as incompatible with life in the kingdom of heaven and detrimental to the community's well-being.