Matthew 20:16

BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.””

What this verse means

A short, plain-language explanation of Matthew 20:16 goes here — the kind of answer a reader (or an AI assistant) can quote in one breath. Original meaning coming soon.

Compare translations
BSBPD

“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.””

Berean Standard Bible · Public Domain (CC0)
KJVPD

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

King James Version · Public Domain
ASVPD

“So the last shall be first, and the first last.”

American Standard Version · Public Domain
YLTPD

“So the last shall be first, and the first last, for many are called, and few chosen.'”

Young's Literal Translation · Public Domain
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Cross references

Other passages that echo Matthew 20:16 — 18 related verses from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  1. Matthew 7:13Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
  2. Matthew 8:11I say to you that many will come from the east and the west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
  3. Matthew 19:30But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
  4. Matthew 21:31Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.
  5. Matthew 22:14For many are called, but few are chosen.”
  6. Mark 10:31But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
  7. Luke 7:47Therefore I tell you, because her many sins have been forgiven, she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”
  8. Luke 13:28There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are thrown out.
  9. Luke 14:24For I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will taste my banquet.’”
  10. Luke 15:7In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.
  11. Luke 17:17“Were not all ten cleansed?” Jesus asked. “Where then are the other nine?
  12. John 12:19Then the Pharisees said to one another, “You can see that this is doing you no good. Look how the whole world has gone after Him!”
  13. Romans 5:20The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
  14. Romans 8:30And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
  15. Romans 9:30What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;
  16. 1 Thessalonians 2:13And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as the true word of God—the word which is now at work in you who believe.
  17. 2 Thessalonians 2:13But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth.
  18. James 1:23For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror,

Cross-reference data: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain) via OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0).

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