Matthew 20 16

Matthew 20:16 kjv

So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Matthew 20:16 nkjv

So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen."

Matthew 20:16 niv

"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Matthew 20:16 esv

So the last will be first, and the first last."

Matthew 20:16 nlt

"So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last."

Matthew 20 verses

Matthew 20 16 Meaning

Matthew 20:16 concludes the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, asserting a profound principle of God's kingdom where established human expectations are reversed. It signifies that those who seem last in human eyes, whether in time of entry, social standing, or perceived merit, will be honored first by God, while those considered first, by merit or status, may find themselves last. The accompanying phrase "For many are called, but few are chosen" clarifies this divine selectivity, revealing that while God's invitation (the call) extends widely, His ultimate selection (the choosing) is for those who genuinely respond with faith and are divinely appointed. This verse highlights divine grace over human works, and God's sovereignty in salvation and reward.

Matthew 20 16 Context

Matthew 20:16 stands as a summary and conclusion, first to the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matt 20:1-15), and broadly to Jesus' teaching on rewards, sacrifice, and the nature of God's kingdom as initiated in Matthew 19. The parable illustrates God's sovereign grace and generosity, challenging the human expectation of proportional reward based on perceived effort or time spent. The owner of the vineyard pays all laborers the same wage, regardless of when they started, upsetting those who worked longer. This challenges a transactional understanding of righteousness prevalent among some Jewish religious groups, highlighting that God's favor is not earned but freely given. The phrase "the first will be last and the last will be first" first appears in Matt 19:30, after Peter's question about what rewards the disciples would receive for their sacrifices. Thus, verse 20:16 ties the parable directly back to the theme of kingdom values versus earthly values, asserting God's unexpected distribution of grace and privilege, and ultimately, His sovereign selection.

Matthew 20 16 Word analysis

• So (οὕτως - houtōs): An adverb indicating consequence or manner, "thus," "in this way." It explicitly links this statement as a conclusion or summation of the preceding parable. It signifies that the parable perfectly illustrates the principle it conveys.

• the last (ἔσχατοι - eschatoi): Greek for "hindmost," "lowest," "most remote," or "final." In the parable, it refers to those hired late in the day. Spiritually, it signifies those who seem to be of lesser standing, merit, or late entrants into the kingdom (e.g., Gentiles, tax collectors, or the poor and humble in contrast to the outwardly religious elite of the day).

• will be (ἔσονται - esontai): Future tense of "to be." Implies certainty and a divinely ordained reversal that will happen.

• first (πρῶτοι - prōtoi): Greek for "foremost," "chief," "earliest," or "highest." In the parable, it refers to those hired early in the day. Spiritually, it signifies those considered to be in a position of privilege, early in the faith, or of high standing (e.g., religious leaders, those boasting of lineage or works).

• and the first (οἱ πρῶτοι - hoi prōtoi): Emphatically reverses the expectation. This highlights the unexpected nature of God's grace and judgment. It implies a potential humbling for those who assume their position.

• last (ἔσχατοι - eschatoi): Reiterates the reversal for the "first." It means a humbling or a reordering of rank that may be shocking from a human perspective.

• For (γὰρ - gar): A conjunction meaning "for," "because," "since." It introduces an explanation, reason, or confirmation for the preceding statement of reversal. This subsequent clause illuminates why the reversal happens and who truly participates in the kingdom.

• many (πολλοὶ - polloi): Greek for "many," "much," "a great number." Indicates a broad scope of invitation or initial association. It is not "all," implying that some called will not be chosen.

• are called (κλητοὶ - klētoi): Greek, passive participle from kaleō, meaning "to call," "to invite," "to summon." This refers to God's universal, or at least very broad, invitation to salvation through the gospel. The "call" is an act of divine initiative reaching out to humanity. It suggests an open invitation extended widely.

• but (δὲ - de): A conjunction denoting contrast, "but," "and," "yet." It introduces a distinction or limitation to the broad calling.

• few (ὀλίγοι - oligoi): Greek for "few," "little," "small in number." Highlights a contrast with "many." It implies a narrower selection, not because God limits the invitation, but due to human response and God's sovereign election based on true faith.

• are chosen (ἐκλεκτοὶ - eklektoi): Greek, passive participle from eklegomai, meaning "to choose out," "to select," "to pick." This refers to God's sovereign act of selecting those whom He brings into a saving relationship and true fellowship in His kingdom. It denotes divine election, not merely human decision. This emphasizes God's sovereign hand in ultimate salvation and authentic discipleship.

• So the last will be first, and the first last: This phrase encapsulates the radical nature of God's kingdom. It dismantles human meritocracy and exalts grace. Those overlooked or despised by the world, and those who humbly enter God's grace without assumption of entitlement, will often find themselves unexpectedly exalted. Conversely, those who pride themselves on their standing, their lineage, or their religious works risk finding their assumed status overturned. It's a fundamental principle of Christ's kingdom that humility precedes honor.

• For many are called, but few are chosen: This group of words acts as an explanation for the reversal. It underscores divine sovereignty in salvation. The "call" (gospel invitation) goes out broadly to many (the vineyard owner hiring all workers), but only a "few" (those who genuinely receive the call, often understood as the elect) are ultimately chosen and belong to God's true family, receiving the promised reward. It's not a commentary on the number of people, but on the nature of true belonging, emphasizing divine election and perseverance.

Matthew 20 16 Bonus section

The concept of "first becoming last" and "last becoming first" is a cornerstone of Jesus' "upside-down" kingdom values. It confronts pride and self-righteousness, particularly within the religious elite of Jesus' day who believed their meticulous adherence to the Law and their Abrahamic lineage granted them a privileged status with God. Jesus repeatedly elevated those marginalized or deemed unrighteous (e.g., tax collectors, sinners, Samaritans, the poor) as examples of true faith, implicitly suggesting their readiness for the kingdom over the self-assured "first."

The distinction between "called" (klētoi) and "chosen" (eklektoi) has been a significant point of theological discussion. "Called" often refers to the external, universal call of the gospel (proclamation), while "chosen" refers to the internal, effective call leading to salvation, which is by God's sovereign grace. This phrase does not negate free will or human responsibility but frames it within God's overarching purpose and election. It emphasizes that entrance into God's ultimate kingdom is not merely about receiving an invitation but being truly selected and transformed by Him for His purposes.

Matthew 20 16 Commentary

Matthew 20:16 acts as a potent summary of the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard and a recurring kingdom principle. It challenges our inherent human tendency to evaluate based on merit, time, or perceived sacrifice. Jesus overturns the world's natural order: those seen as latecomers or least significant in God's economy of grace will be granted equal, or even surpassing, honor to those who assume priority or have a history of religious performance. This is not to say that the faithful long-term workers are excluded, but rather that God’s generosity and sovereign choice often transcend human expectations and earned entitlement.

The added explanatory phrase, "For many are called, but few are chosen," serves to deepen the understanding of this divine reordering. The 'call' refers to the broad, general invitation of the Gospel, extended to humanity. All are invited to the vineyard, but only a 'few' truly become part of God's 'chosen' people – those who genuinely embrace the call with humble faith and are chosen by divine initiative. This doesn't mean God arbitrarily chooses a small group for salvation while offering an insincere invitation to others. Rather, it emphasizes the sovereignty of God's election (His choosing) alongside the responsibility of human response to His widespread invitation. The parable teaches that the kingdom is built on grace, not on a reward system where personal exertion determines outcome, thereby humbling the proud and exalting the lowly, showcasing the glorious and unexpected ways of God.

• Example 1: A lifelong devout person boasting of their works finding that a death-bed convert receives the same eternal grace.
• Example 2: A humble missionary serving in obscurity for years being valued as highly in God's eyes as a widely acclaimed spiritual leader.