Matthew 20:16 Meaning and Explanation
“So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus concludes that the last shall be first and the first last, for many are called but few are chosen.
What Does Matthew 20:16 Mean?
Jesus draws the parable to its close with the saying that frames it: the last shall be first, and the first last. The kingdom overturns the world's order of precedence. He adds a sobering word, for many be called, but few chosen, reminding hearers that responding rightly to God's call is not a thing to be presumed upon.
The parable has shown why God's reckoning so often reverses ours. Those who serve with grasping, comparing hearts may find themselves last, while the humble and the latecomers, who receive grace as grace, are brought to the front. The call goes out widely and freely; what matters is whether we answer it with grateful trust rather than entitled bargaining. The kingdom belongs to those who let God be generous.
Matthew 20:16 in the Original Language
eklektos (ἐκλεκτός), 'chosen' -- selected or set apart, marked out as the object of God's favor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 20:16
What does Matthew 20:16 mean?
Jesus concludes that the last shall be first and the first last, for many are called but few are chosen.