Matthew 20:16

16 sic erunt novissimi primi et primi novissimi multi sunt enim vocati pauci autem electi

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 tolle quod tuum est et vade volo autem et huic novissimo dare sicut et tibi

15 aut non licet mihi quod volo facere an oculus tuus nequam est quia ego bonus sum

16 sic erunt novissimi primi et primi novissimi multi sunt enim vocati pauci autem electi

17 et ascendens Iesus Hierosolymam adsumpsit duodecim discipulos secreto et ait illis

18 ecce ascendimus Hierosolymam et Filius hominis tradetur principibus sacerdotum et scribis et condemnabunt eum morte