Luke 13:30 kjv
And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
Luke 13:30 nkjv
And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last."
Luke 13:30 niv
Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last."
Luke 13:30 esv
And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."
Luke 13:30 nlt
And note this: Some who seem least important now will be the greatest then, and some who are the greatest now will be least important then. "
Luke 13 30 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 19:30 | But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. | Direct Parallel - Divine Reversal |
| Mt 20:16 | So the last will be first, and the first will be last. | Direct Parallel - Laborers in the Vineyard Parable |
| Mk 10:31 | But many who are first will be last, and the last first. | Direct Parallel - Response to Peter on reward |
| Mt 8:11-12 | I tell you that many will come from the east and the west and will recline at table... while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown outside... | Gentiles accepted, proud Israelites excluded |
| Lk 7:29-30 | And when all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John... | Rejected by religious elite, accepted by marginalized |
| Lk 18:14 | I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but... | Tax collector justified over proud Pharisee |
| Lk 14:11 | For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. | Principle of Humility and Exaltation |
| Lk 13:24 | "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." | Immediate Context - Effort for Kingdom entry |
| Lk 13:28 | There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves... | Weeping and exclusion from Kingdom |
| Jn 1:11-12 | He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right... | Rejection by chosen, acceptance by believers |
| Isa 55:8-9 | "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth..." | God's ways are contrary to human expectation |
| Rom 9:30-32 | What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith... | Gentiles accepted by faith, Israel stumbled by law |
| 1 Cor 1:26-28 | For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many powerful, not many of noble birth... | God chooses the lowly and despised |
| Js 4:6 | But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." | Humility leads to grace |
| 1 Pet 5:5-6 | Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." | Humility exalted, pride opposed |
| Mt 25:31-46 | The sheep and the goats judgment, based on actions towards the "least of these." | Judgment based on actions, not status |
| Mk 9:35 | And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." | Leadership as Servanthood |
| Prov 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. | Warning against Pride |
| Mic 6:8 | He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly... | Divine requirement for genuine righteousness |
| 2 Cor 12:9-10 | But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly... | Strength in weakness, God uses the humble |
Luke 13 verses
Luke 13 30 Meaning
Luke 13:30 concludes a significant discourse on entry into the Kingdom of God. It presents a principle of divine reversal: those who are currently esteemed as "first" in societal, religious, or perceived spiritual status will be found "last" or excluded from God's Kingdom, while those considered "last," perhaps marginalized, humble, or newly invited, will be welcomed as "first." This statement serves as a warning against spiritual complacency and presumption, emphasizing that true spiritual standing differs from outward appearances or inherited privilege.
Luke 13 30 Context
Luke 13:30 is the concluding verse of Jesus' teaching that begins in Luke 13:22, where He is "traveling toward Jerusalem" and teaching through towns and villages. Someone asks Him, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" This verse provides Jesus' direct response. His answer isn't a numerical count, but rather a warning about the conditions of salvation and who will ultimately be included or excluded from the Kingdom of God, described as entering through a "narrow door" (Lk 13:24). Jesus emphasizes that many will try to enter but fail (Lk 13:24), and that once the Master shuts the door, appeals based on past association ("we ate and drank in your presence") will be rejected (Lk 13:25-27). Those "workers of iniquity" will be cast out, witnessing the patriarchs and prophets within the Kingdom while they are excluded (Lk 13:28). This entire passage warns against spiritual complacency and highlights that true entry into God's Kingdom requires earnest striving and righteousness, not mere physical lineage or prior acquaintance with Jesus.
Luke 13 30 Word analysis
- And (καὶ - kai): A simple conjunction, but here it marks a concluding thought or summary statement flowing from the preceding verses (Lk 13:22-29). It signifies that this truth is a direct consequence or summary of the teaching on the narrow door and exclusion.
- behold, (ἰδοὺ - idou): An interjection meaning "look," "see," or "behold." It's often used in the Gospels to draw attention to something significant, surprising, or crucial. Here, it signals that the following statement is profound and counter-intuitive, worthy of careful consideration. It underscores the surprising nature of this divine reversal.
- some (εἰσὶν - eisin): Implies existence, "there are," linking to a general truth or observation about who fits into these categories. Not everyone, but certain individuals will experience this reversal.
- who are last (ἔσχατοι - eschatoi): From eschatos, meaning "last," "outermost," "lowest in rank," "least significant," or "final." This refers to those who are currently, in human estimation, on the margins – perhaps those not traditionally considered "chosen," the humble, the marginalized, Gentiles, sinners, or those who respond to the Gospel later.
- will be first, (πρῶτοι - prōtoi): From prōtos, meaning "first," "foremost," "chief," or "most prominent." This refers to those who will gain preeminent status in the Kingdom of God, granted full access and favor. It implies divine exaltation for the humble.
- and some (καὶ - kai followed by εἰσὶν - eisin implied): Repeating the "there are" aspect.
- who are first (πρῶτοι - prōtoi): Again, "first," "foremost." This typically refers to those who were privileged in status, religion, or lineage, such as the religious elite of Israel (Pharisees, scribes), those with initial advantages, or those who were presumptuous of their place. They were the "insiders."
- will be last. (ἔσχατοι - eschatoi): "Last," implying exclusion, lowliest status, or not being part of the inner circle of the Kingdom. In this context, given Lk 13:28, it implies being cast out altogether, weeping and gnashing teeth while others feast in the Kingdom. It signifies a loss of expected privilege and position.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And behold, some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last." This is a proverbial saying that encapsulates a key principle of God's Kingdom, particularly emphasized by Jesus. It reveals that human judgments and status systems are often inverted in God's eyes. It's not a call to become "last" for the sake of it, but rather a warning against presumption by those who consider themselves "first" (like the Jews with their heritage) and an encouragement for those considered "last" (like the Gentiles, the poor, the outcast, and humble believers) that God's grace extends beyond human categories. The repetition of the inverted phrase underscores its immutable truth. The immediate context of the "narrow door" and exclusion makes the "last" here specifically refer to being entirely shut out or significantly demoted, rather than merely "last in line." It challenges the perceived order of merit and privilege.
Luke 13 30 Bonus section
The saying in Luke 13:30 appears in various forms across the Synoptic Gospels (Mt 19:30, 20:16, Mk 10:31), always pointing to this principle of divine inversion. While similar, Luke's specific placement at the end of the "narrow door" discourse, immediately before the lament over Jerusalem, gives it a unique polemical edge. It serves as a direct warning to first-century Israel, who, by virtue of their covenant relationship, considered themselves "first" among nations to receive the Messiah. Yet, their rejection of Jesus meant they risked becoming "last"—displaced by Gentiles (the "last" to be invited) who would enter the Kingdom. This is not merely a social or ethical teaching about humility, but a profound theological statement about who God will welcome and who He will exclude based on response to Jesus, independent of outward status or previous privilege. The implication is that God's choices and evaluations differ significantly from human ones.
Luke 13 30 Commentary
Luke 13:30 serves as a stark summary of Jesus' teaching on divine judgment and the surprising nature of God's Kingdom. It is a powerful illustration of reversal: earthly status and spiritual presumption hold no weight with God. Those who pride themselves on their inherited faith, lineage (like the Jewish people assuming their rightful place by birthright), religious accomplishments, or moral superiority (the "first") risk being eternally cast out and finding themselves "last." Conversely, those currently considered humble, marginalized, outsiders, or morally distant (the "last") but who genuinely respond to Jesus' call for repentance and enter the "narrow door," will find a preeminent place in the Kingdom. This verse underlines that entry into God's Kingdom is based on diligent effort, humility, and true faith, not on pedigree or presumptuous claim. It challenges believers across all eras to examine their own spiritual standing and ensure their heart is aligned with God's will.