But many will be last [i.e., in importance and blessings] who [seem to] be first, and those [who seem to be] first will [end up] being last.”
Matthew 20:16 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) So, the [person who seems to be] last will be first [i.e., in importance and blessings], but the [person who seems to be] first will [end up] being last.” More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition So those who [now] are last will be first [then], and those who [now] are first will be last [then]. For many are called, but few chosen. American Standard Version (1901) So the last shall be first, and the first last. Common English Bible So those who are last will be first. And those who are first will be last.” Catholic Public Domain Version So then, the last shall be first, and the first shall be last. For many are called, but few are chosen." Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version So shall the last be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen. |
But many will be last [i.e., in importance and blessings] who [seem to] be first, and those [who seem to be] first will [end up] being last.”
Which of these two sons did what his father wanted?” They answered, “The first one.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, tax collectors and prostitutes [will] enter the kingdom of God ahead of you.
For many people are called [by God] but [only those] few [who respond] are chosen [by Him].”
“You should enter [God’s kingdom] by means of the narrow door, for the wide door and the broad road are the ones that lead to [spiritual and physical] destruction. And many people will enter [that wide door].
But many that [appear to] be first [i.e., in importance and blessings] will [end up] being last. And [those appearing to] be last will [end up] being first.”
For I tell you, not one of those who were invited will [even] taste my supper.”
I tell you that, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinful person who repents [i.e., changes his heart and life], than over ninety-nine persons who do not need to repent.
For this reason, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven, for she has loved much. [Note: This suggests that her forgiveness was the result of her loving, but the point Jesus makes better fits the idea that her forgiveness produced love]. But the person who is forgiven of little [i.e., of only a few sins], loves [only] a little bit.”
This was so that just as sin ruled [over mankind], causing [physical] death, even so God’s unearned favor would rule [over mankind], providing [them with] righteousness, and leading to never ending life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
And [that class of] persons whom God [so] predetermined, He also called [through the Gospel. See II Thess. 2:14]. And those He called, He also made right with Himself. And those He made right with Himself, He also [determined to be] honored [i.e., in the future life].
What shall we say then? [Simply this]: That the Gentiles, who did not attempt to become right with God [by how they lived] were made right with God, and this was the result of their faith [in Christ].
And because of this we also thank God continually that, when you people received the message of God, which you heard from us, you did not accept it as a message from [mere] human beings, but as it truly is, the message from God, which is at work in you believers.