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But many will be last who are first; and first who are last.
Verse Takeaways
1
The Kingdom's Great Reversal
Commentators agree this verse announces a fundamental principle of God's kingdom: worldly standards are turned upside down. Those considered "first" in this life—the rich, powerful, and religiously prominent—may find themselves last. Conversely, the "last"—the poor, humble, and overlooked—will be elevated by God's grace.
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Matthew
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9
18th Century
Presbyterian
This verse should have been connected with the following chapter. The parable spoken there is expressly to illustrate this sentiment. See its meani…
The last first and the first last (ο εσχατο πρωτο κα ο πρωτο εσχατο). This paradoxical enigma is probably in the nature of a rebuk…
19th Century
Anglican
Many that are first shall be last — The words obviously point not only to the general fact of the ultimate reversal of hu…
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Baptist
Thus our Lord sums up His teaching concerning rich men and gives us the aphorism now before us, which He has already illustrated and intends to rep…
Jesus now extends his encouragement to all his self-sacrificing disciples. The promise is not literal (one cannot have one hundred mothers). God is…
16th Century
Protestant
And many that are first shall be last. This sentence was added in order to shake off the indolence of the flesh. The apostles, though they…
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17th Century
Reformed Baptist
But many that are first shall be last This may refer unto, or be occasioned by, either the young ruler; signifying t…
Although Christ spoke so strongly, few who have riches do not trust in them. How few who are poor are not tempted to envy! But people's earnestness…
13th Century
Catholic
In this passage, it was shown how one comes to eternal life by the common way. Here, He teaches how one comes by the way of perfection. This way of…
