Thus, the last will be first, and the first last.
20:16 Thus, the first will be last, and the last, first; because many are called, but few are chosen. — The conclusion of the parable is, then, the same that Jesus announced when answering Peter’s question (19:27, 30). The v 1 says “Because…”, that is, the parable is connected to what he just said. The parable is an illustration of some who were first who were last and some who were last who were first. “Those who were the last to arrive were the first with respect to the ratio of reward to labor, and those who were the first to arrive were the last in this particular” (JWM). The rich young man had left sad, but Peter reminds the Lord that the apostles had indeed left everything to follow him, and Jesus emphasizes that all faithful service will be rewarded. God sees everything and forgets nothing. Hebrews 6:1-20, “10 Because God is not unjust to forget your work and the work of love that you have shown towards his name, having served the saints and still serving them.” This promise is repeated in the letters to the seven churches of Asia (Rev 2:1-29 and 3). The apostles would occupy thrones beginning on the day of Pentecost and throughout their lives. However, in all this there is the danger of having a wrong concept and a dangerous attitude, because if anyone thinks that the reward can be “calculated” (so much reward for so much service), he still does not understand the meaning of grace. Jesus speaks this parable “to prevent his disciples from thinking that the promised reward would be just compensation for their sacrifices and labors…Eternal life is inconceivably more than a reward for all that someone (eg, Paul) has worked or suffered in the kingdom” (JWM). Jesus does not speak this parable to promote the idea that it is okay to wait until the final moments of life to repent. He has nothing to do with deathbed repentance. Of course, Jesus promises salvation to all, including those who obey the gospel in the last days or the last moments of their lives. God knows the heart. But remember that those who went to work until the sixth, ninth, or even the eleventh hour entered the vineyard when they could. They were in the right place waiting for the opportunity to work, and they jumped at the first opportunity. Therefore, this case is not parallel to the case of the man who for years and years has been called to obey the gospel and has always rejected the call, saying “not yet”, “there are hypocrites in the church”, “I am too busy in other things”, “I don’t want to offend my family”, etc. Of course, we leave the judgment in God’s hands, but we are clarifying that this parable has nothing to do with the cases of people who postpone obedience until deathbed. The parable does not teach that God’s judgment will be arbitrary, but that his ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). God not only knows what we do, but also the purposes of the heart. He knows why some are religious (Matt 6:1-18; Luke 18:9-14). Jesus knew why the people followed him (Joh 6:26). What would Jacob, John, and his mother have thought of this parable? After hearing this parable, we doubt that Peter would ask again, what then shall we have? After hearing this parable, did you understand the subject of God’s grace better? And the teaching of Luke 17:7-10? Let us not, however, go to the other extreme and think that we only have to go into the vineyard and eat grapes. Let’s read again the many texts that speak of the need to refuse, strive, sacrifice, etc., but always remembering that “Eternal life is inconceivably more than a reward for all that someone (eg, Paul) has worked or suffered in the kingdom.”
Source: Commentary on the New Testament by Partain
the first will be last. Matt 8:11, Matt 8:12; Mat 19:30; Matt 21:31; Tue 10:31; Luke 7:47; Luke 13:28-30; Luke 15:7; Luke 17:17, Luke 17:18; Joh 12:19-22; Romans 5:20; Romans 9:30.
because many are called, but few are chosen. Matt 7:13; Matt 22:14; Luke 14:24; Romans 8:30; 1Thess 2:13; 2Thess 2:13, 2Thess 2:14; Jas 1:23-25.
Source: The Treasury of Biblical Knowledge
In Matthew’s context, the contract workers represented Israel; they had the promise and the covenant (Romans 3:1, Romans 3:2; Romans 9:4; Eph 2:11, Eph 2:12). Those without an agreement represented the Gentiles, who would be treated the same as the Jews when salvation became accessible to all through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 11:16, Romans 11:17; Eph 2:13-15; Eph 3:6).
Source: New Illustrated Caribbean Bible Commentary
the first will be last, and the last, first. In other words, everyone ends up tied. Regardless of how long each of the workers worked, they all received a full day’s wages. In the same way, the thief on the cross will enjoy all the blessings of heaven together with those who dedicated their entire lives to Christ. Such is the grace of God (see note on Mat 19:30).
Source: MacArthur Study Bible
20:16 So the first shall be last, and the last first; because many are called, but few are chosen. — The conclusion of the parable is, then, the same that Jesus announced when answering Peter’s question (19:27, 30). The v 1 says “Because…”, that is, the parable is connected to what he just said. The parable is an illustration of some who were first who were last and some who were last who were first. “Those who were the last to arrive were the first with respect to the ratio of reward to labor, and those who were the first to arrive were the last in this particular” (JWM).
The rich young man had left sad, but Peter reminds the Lord that the apostles had indeed left everything to follow him, and Jesus emphasizes that all faithful service will be rewarded. God sees everything and forgets nothing. Heb 6: 1-20, “10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and the work of love that you have shown towards his name, having served the saints and still serving them.” This promise is repeated in the letters to the seven churches in Asia (Rev 2:1-29 and 3). The apostles would occupy thrones beginning on the day of Pentecost and throughout their lives. However, in all this there is the danger of having a wrong concept and a dangerous attitude, because if anyone thinks that the reward can be “calculated” (so much reward for so much service), he still does not understand the meaning of grace. Jesus speaks this parable “to prevent his disciples from thinking that the promised reward would be just compensation for their sacrifices and labors…Eternal life is inconceivably more than a reward for all that someone (eg, Paul) has worked or suffered in the kingdom” (JWM).
Jesus does not speak this parable to promote the idea that it is okay to wait until the final moments of life to repent. He has nothing to do with deathbed repentance. Of course, Jesus promises salvation to all, including those who obey the gospel in the last days or the last moments of their lives. God knows the heart. But remember that those who went to work until the sixth, ninth, or even the eleventh hour entered the vineyard when they could. They were in the right place waiting for the opportunity to work, and they jumped at the first opportunity. Therefore, this case is not parallel to the case of the man who for years and years has been called to obey the gospel and has always rejected the call, saying “not yet”, “there are hypocrites in the church”, “I am too busy in other things”, “I don’t want to offend my family”, etc. Of course, we leave the judgment in God’s hands, but we are clarifying that this parable has nothing to do with the cases of people who postpone obedience until deathbed.
The parable does not teach that God’s judgment will be arbitrary, but that his ways are not our ways (Isa 55:8-9). God not only knows what we do, but also the purposes of the heart. He knows why some are religious (Matt 6:1-18; Luke 18:9-14). Jesus knew why the people followed him (John 6:26). What would Jacob, John, and his mother have thought of this parable? After hearing this parable, we doubt that Peter would ask again, what then shall we have? After hearing this parable, did you understand the subject of God’s grace better? And the teaching of Luke 17:7-10?
Let us not, however, go to the other extreme and think that we only have to go into the vineyard and eat grapes. Let’s read again the many texts that speak of the need to refuse, strive, sacrifice, etc., but always remembering that “Eternal life is inconceivably more than a reward for all that someone (eg, Paul) has worked or suffered in the kingdom.”
Source: Reeves-Partain Notes
Tue 10:31; Luke 13:30.
Source: Hispano-American Interdenominational Translation
CROSS-REFERENCES
-907 Matt 19:30; Tue 9:35; Tue 10:31; Luke 13:30
Source: New World Translation
16 (1) The last are the workers hired in the afternoon, and the first are those who were hired early. In terms of work, the first come before the last, but in terms of receiving the reward, the last come first. In this way the Lord makes the last to be first and the first to be last.
16 (a) Mat_19:30
Source: New Testament Commentary Recovery Version
The theme is the reward of the willingness to serve, whether one comes early or late. Christ is not teaching economics.
Source: Ryrie Annotated Study Bible
last… M↓ add of Matt 22:14 : because many are called and few are chosen → Mat 19:30; Tue 10:31; Luke 13:30.
Source: Textual Bible IV Edition
g 19.30; Tue 10:31; Luke 13:30.
20.16 M i add: because many are called and few are chosen from 22.14.