What did Jesus mean when He said, “The last will be first, and the first last”?
The Devotional Answer
The devotional answer is that Jesus spoke this phrase to assure the humble and to caution the proud. It is a divine promise of ultimate justice and a powerful lesson in humility (Question 124). It teaches that God sees things differently than people do. We rank based on wealth, status, achievement, or visibility; God ranks based on the condition of the heart and the motivation for service (Question 120).
This promise means that if you are doing God’s work faithfully today, even if it is unseen, thankless, or marginalized—you are precious to Him. And for those who are tempted by pride in their service or status (Question 107), it serves as a wake-up call that the Kingdom of God is entirely unlike the kingdoms of the world (Question 116).
The Simple Answer
Jesus used the phrase, "The last will be first, and the first last," as a revolutionary principle of the Kingdom of God. It is found in a few places (Matthew 19:30, Matthew 20:16, Mark 10:31), most clearly as the concluding summary of the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16).
The statement means:
Reversal of Status: God will completely invert the human status ladder. Those who are currently viewed as unimportant, marginalized, or spiritually poor will be exalted.
Reversal of Reward: Those who presume upon their seniority, effort, or self-righteousness (the "first") may be shocked to find they receive the same reward as those who came "last," or they may be humbled.
The principle dismantles human pride and emphasizes God's sovereign grace in giving rewards.
The Deeper Dive: Context and Grace
The immediate context is key to fully grasping this teaching.
1. The Parable of the Workers
In the Parable of the Workers, a landowner hires laborers at the first hour, promising them a full day's wage (a denarius). He then hires others at the third, sixth, ninth, and even the eleventh hour (with only one hour left of work).
When payment comes, the master pays the last-hired laborers the full denarius first. The "first" workers, who had worked all day, expected more but were also paid only the denarius. They complained.
The Lesson of Grace: Jesus used this to teach that salvation and rewards are ultimately a matter of the master's (God's) sovereign grace, not a matter of human merit or contractual obligation. We cannot demand more from God based on how much work we think we have done (Question 61).
The Danger of Envy: The "first" workers were not punished; they received what they were promised. Their problem was envy and pride—they were unhappy because the latecomers received the same grace they did. This highlights the danger of comparing ourselves to others.
2. The Example of Service
Jesus connected this principle directly to the need for servant leadership. If anyone wants to be great in the Kingdom, they must be the servant of all (Question 117). The truly "first" in God's eyes are those who humble themselves and live like the "last," prioritizing others' needs.
"But many who are first will be last, and the last first." — Mark 10:31 (NIV)
This teaching challenges anyone who is proud of their heritage, their spiritual discipline, or their position in the Church.
God's Assurance
God assures you that every act of selfless service and humble obedience you perform is seen and valued by Him, even if it goes unnoticed by the world.
“Do not worry about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” — Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
You are assured that the God who sees in secret will reward you openly (Matthew 6:4).
Your Takeaway Thought
Do not seek the world's applause or strive to be recognized as the "first" in your faith. Instead, choose the path of humility and service. Be content to receive God's grace, and rejoice when others receive it. The true key to the Kingdom is to willingly take the last place, trusting that God Himself will be the one to exalt you in His perfect time.
