Matthew 20:16

16 So those who are last will be first. And those who are first will be last."

Matthew 20:16 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 20:16

So the last shall be first, and the first last
As he had asserted in ( Matthew 19:30 ) and which is clearly illustrated by this parable, as it may be applied to Jews or Gentiles, or to nominal and real Christians:

for many be called;
externally, under the ministration of the Gospel, as the Jews in general were, by Christ and his apostles; but

few chosen;
in Christ from all eternity, both to grace and glory; and in consequence, and as an evidence of it, but few among the Jews; as also in the Gentile world, comparatively speaking: and even but a few of those that are outwardly called, are inwardly and effectually called by the powerful grace of God, out of darkness into marvellous light, into the grace and liberty of the Gospel, into communion with Christ, and to the obtaining his kingdom and glory, according to the eternal purpose of God. It is a saying of R. Simeon ben Jochai ^F4

``I have seen the children of the world to come (elsewhere ^F5 it is, of the chamber), (Nyjewm Nhw) , "and they are few".''

Though he vainly thought, that if those few were but two, they were himself and his son.

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FOOTNOTES:

F4 T. Hieros. Beracot, fol. 13. 4.
F5 T. Bab. Succa, fol. 45. 2. & Sanhedrim, fol. 97. 2.

Matthew 20:16 In-Context

14 Take what belongs to you and go. I want to give to this one who was hired last the same as I give to you.

15 Don't I have the right to do what I want with what belongs to me? Or are you resentful because I'm generous?'

16 So those who are last will be first. And those who are first will be last."

17 As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve aside by themselves on the road. He told them,

18 "Look, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Human One will be handed over to the chief priests and legal experts. They will condemn him to death.