Mark 10 31

Mark 10:31 kjv

But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

Mark 10:31 nkjv

But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

Mark 10:31 niv

But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

Mark 10:31 esv

But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

Mark 10:31 nlt

But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then. "

Mark 10 verses

Mark 10 31 Meaning

Mark 10:31 presents a profound principle of reversal concerning the values of the Kingdom of God. It declares that many who are esteemed "first" in the world's eyes—in terms of status, wealth, privilege, or perceived righteousness—will be considered "last" in God's divine order. Conversely, those who are considered "last"—the humble, the poor in spirit, the marginalized, or those who sacrificially serve—will be honored as "first" in His eternal reign. This statement challenges human systems of merit, prestige, and power, advocating for a counter-cultural understanding of true greatness in God's sight.

Mark 10 31 Context

Mark 10:31 serves as a concluding, summarizing statement to a significant interaction and teaching segment within Jesus' journey towards Jerusalem. Immediately preceding this verse are two crucial episodes: first, the encounter with the rich young ruler (Mk 10:17-27), where a wealthy man chooses his possessions over following Jesus, prompting Jesus to declare the difficulty for the rich to enter God's Kingdom. This teaching highlights the danger of relying on earthly riches rather than divine grace. Second, Peter’s response (Mk 10:28-30), where he points out that the disciples have left everything to follow Jesus, and Jesus promises a "hundredfold" reward both now and in the age to come, "with persecutions." This verse, therefore, caps off a discussion about radical discipleship, the cost of following Jesus, the inherent dangers of wealth, and the promised, yet paradoxically acquired, blessings of the Kingdom. It sets a definitive standard for who truly finds favor and position within God's eternal scheme, contrasting sharply with human social structures and estimations.

Mark 10 31 Word analysis

• Many (πολλοί - polloi):

  • Significance: Denotes a substantial number, not necessarily all. Implies that this principle is widespread in its application across diverse people.
  • Not an absolute, indicating that while many of a certain group (e.g., those 'first' in human estimation) will be 'last' in God's kingdom, this isn't universally exhaustive for every single person within that category. It highlights a common tendency or fate.

• Who are first (οἱ πρῶτοι - hoi prōtoi):

  • Significance: Refers to those who hold positions of perceived advantage, status, privilege, wealth, power, or even self-righteousness in the prevailing human societal structures or their own estimation. It implies a sense of human honor, accomplishment, or a perceived spiritual superiority.
  • Original Context: In Jewish society, this could refer to the rich, the religious leaders (Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes), those with extensive knowledge of the Law, or those who outwardly appeared most pious. The Hellenistic world also valued status and honor greatly. Jesus’ words directly challenged this system of valuation.

• Will be (ἔσονται - esontai):

  • Significance: Future tense, pointing to an ultimate, divine reordering. This transformation or reversal is a certainty from God's perspective. It may encompass the eschatological reality of God’s eternal kingdom, as well as an ongoing principle evident in spiritual life on earth.

• Last (ἔσχατοι - eschatoi):

  • Significance: Those considered insignificant, powerless, poor, humble, marginalized, or unrighteous by worldly standards. In a spiritual sense, it could also refer to those who acknowledge their unworthiness and rely solely on God's grace, or those who sacrificially serve without seeking earthly reward.
  • Polemics: A direct refutation of any system—social, religious, or political—that values outward appearance, human achievement, or material possessions over inner character, humility, and faith in God. It specifically challenges the prevailing Jewish understanding of righteousness as merit-based, where outward adherence to the Law could lead to 'firstness' before God.

• And the last first:

  • Significance: This mirroring clause strongly emphasizes the absolute and paradoxical reversal. It's not just that the 'first' will drop, but the 'last' will also rise to the premier position. It encapsulates the core kingdom principle of divine inversion.
  • This is not merely a "demotion" for the first, but an "elevation" for the last, ensuring that God's valuation ultimately corrects all human misjudgments and biases.
  • Scholarly insight often notes that this reflects God’s consistent pattern of working through the weak and despised to accomplish His will and demonstrate His power and grace (e.g., God chose Israel, a small and insignificant nation; David, the youngest; Mary, a humble virgin).

Mark 10 31 Bonus section

This verse's profound reversal often finds its clearest and most controversial application in Jesus' dealings with the wealthy and powerful. It serves as a stark warning to those who place their trust or security in their earthly standing or possessions, emphasizing that true wealth and status are found in aligning oneself with God's will and kingdom values. The principle also subtly underscores the necessity of discipleship and transformation: to become "first" in God's kingdom, one must actively choose to live as "last" according to the world's dictates, embracing humility and service over ambition and pride. It's a reorientation of the entire human purpose and identity towards God's eternal perspective.

Mark 10 31 Commentary

Mark 10:31 is a summary statement of a central theme in Jesus' teaching: the radical inversion of worldly values in God's Kingdom. It declares that human status, wealth, power, and even self-righteousness count for little or nothing in God's estimation. Instead, God favors humility, service, sacrifice, and true spiritual poverty. This principle is not a literal economic or social decree, but a spiritual and ethical one, highlighting that authentic greatness in the Kingdom is measured by dependence on God, willingness to renounce earthly comforts or perceived advantages for His sake, and selfless service to others. Those who elevate themselves in the world will find themselves diminished in the Kingdom, while those who humble themselves or are marginalized by the world will be elevated by God. This calls believers to evaluate their lives not by human applause or earthly accumulation, but by God’s counter-cultural standard of love, faith, and humility, often manifested through sacrifice and suffering.

• Examples:
  • A humble janitor who serves faithfully for decades without recognition may be honored far more than a celebrated executive focused solely on self-gain.
  • Missionaries who give up comfort and safety to preach the Gospel in forgotten lands might be seen as 'last' by the world but are 'first' in God's economy.
  • Those who sacrificially give to the poor in secret, with no desire for praise, embody this 'last will be first' principle.