Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 13:30

"And behold, there are last who shall be first, and there are first who shall be last." — Luke 13:30 (ASV)

The contrast is heightened between those inside and those outside the door, i.e., outside the kingdom. Every Jew expected to sit with the patriarchs at the messianic banquet. The concept of such a feast in heaven as a celebration with the Messiah is alluded to throughout the OT (cf. 16:15). The tragedy would not only be that of looking at the patriarchs from the outside but also that of seeing Gentiles inside with them. Verse 30 clearly means the exclusion from future blessings of those who thought they were first in line for them. This exclusion will result in a terrifying sense of doom (cf. Matthew 8:12; 22:13; 25:30).