Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 20:16

"So the last shall be first, and the first last." — Matthew 20:16 (ASV)

So the last shall be first, etc. This is the moral or scope of the parable. To teach this, it was spoken. Many who, in the order of time, will be brought last into the kingdom, will be first in the rewards. Higher proportionate rewards will be given to them than to others.

Justice will be done to all. To all to whom the rewards of heaven were promised, they will be given. Nothing will be withheld that was promised. If among this number who are called into the kingdom I choose to raise some to stations of distinguished usefulness, and to confer on them peculiar talents and higher rewards, I injure no other.

They will enter heaven as was promised. If among the multitude of Christians, I choose to distinguish such men as Paul, and Martyn, and Brainerd, and Spencer, and Summerfield—to appoint some of them to short labor, but to wide usefulness, and raise them to signal rewards—I do not injure the great multitude of others who live long lives less useful, and less rewarded. All will reach heaven, and all will receive what I promise to the faithful.

Many be called, but few chosen. The meaning of this, in this connection, I take to be simply this: "Many are called into my kingdom; they come and labor as I command them; they are comparatively unknown and obscure; yet they are real Christians, and will receive the proper reward. A few I have chosen for higher stations in the church. I have endowed them with apostolic gifts, or superior talents, or wider usefulness. They may not be so long in the vineyard; their race may be sooner run; but I have chosen to honor them in this manner; and I have a right to do it. I injure no one; and have a right to do what I will with my own."

Thus explained, this parable has no reference to the call of the Gentiles, nor to the call of aged sinners, nor to the call of sinners out of the church at all.

It is simply designed to teach that in the church, among the multitudes that will be saved, Christ makes a difference. He makes some more useful than others, without regard to the time which they serve; and he will reward them accordingly. The parable teaches one truth, and but one.

And where Jesus has explained it, we have no right to add to it, and say that it teaches anything else. It adds to the reason for this interpretation, that Christ was conversing about the rewards that should be given to his followers, and not about the numbers that should be called, or about the doctrine of election. (See Barnes on Matthew 19:27-29)