Matthew 20:16
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So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
So the last shall be first, and the first last--that is, "Take heed lest by indulging the spirit of these murmurers at the penny given to the last hired, ye miss your own penny, though first in the vineyard; while the consciousness of having come in so late may inspire these last with such a humble frame, and such admiration of the grace that has hired and rewarded them at all, as will put them into the foremost place in the end." for many be called, but few chosen--This is another of our Lord's terse and pregnant sayings, more than once uttered in different connections. (See Mat 19:30; Mat 22:14). The "calling" of which the New Testament almost invariably speaks is what divines call effectual calling, carrying with it a supernatural operation on the will to secure its consent. But that cannot be the meaning of it here; the "called" being emphatically distinguished from the "chosen." It can only mean here the "invited." And so the sense is, Many receive the invitations of the Gospel whom God has never "chosen to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth" (Th2 2:13). But what, it may be asked, has this to do with the subject of our parable? Probably this--to teach us that men who have wrought in Christ's service all their days may, by the spirit which they manifest at the last, make it too evident that, as between God and their own souls, they never were chosen workmen at all. Next: Matthew Chapter 21
Open source ↗20:16 See Matt 5:19; 8:11-12.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
For many are called, but few are chosen.”
In 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.
And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;
And 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.
For I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will taste my banquet.’”
Therefore I tell you, because her many sins have been forgiven, she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”