This proverbial saying expresses the reversals that will take place when the King begins to reign in the kingdom. The first and last are positions representing greatness and lowliness respectively. The rich young man and the disciples are cases in point. The young man was rich then but would not have received many blessings in the kingdom had he been a believer in Jesus. The disciples, on the other hand, had given up everything to follow Jesus, but they would have a great wealth of blessings in the kingdom. [source][source][source]
This statement introduces the parable of the workers and their compensation ( Matthew 20:1-15). Jesus repeated it at the end of the parable but in reverse order ( Matthew 20:16). This structure shows that the parable illustrates the point stated in this verse. Here He evidently meant that many of those in the first rank of priority then-for example, the rich, the famous, and the comfortable disciples-will be last in the kingdom. Their reward will be small because they were not willing to sacrifice themselves to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Conversely those whom the world regarded with contempt because of the sacrifices they had made to follow Jesus would receive great honor in the kingdom for making those sacrifices. [source][source][source]
"The principle taught in this account is that neither poverty or wealth guarantees eternal life.... [source][source][source]
". . . what guarantees eternal life is following Christ (in faith), and what guarantees eternal rewards is living according to His commands (obedience)." [1][source]
Context Summary
Matthew 19:23-30 - Riches In The Kingdom
Money is not an unmixed good. It brings in its train many temptations. It is easier to bear poverty than wealth-easier to be a saint when life is hard than when prosperity lavishes her gifts.
When the Pope was showing St. Francis of Assisi the treasures of the Vatican, he remarked: "We can hardly say with the Apostle, "˜Silver and gold have we none.'" Francis replied aptly and incisively: "Yes, holy father, and I suppose we can hardly say either, "˜Rise up and walk.'" Often it is in the poverty of earthly circumstances that the soul becomes possessed of an authority which wealth cannot buy.
What compensations there will be hereafter in the times of the restitution of all things! See Acts 3:21. Then the unsatisfied yearnings for husband, wife, or child; the love which craved for love; the lonely, the homeless, the pilgrim, will neither hunger nor thirst, because the Lamb will lead him to the fountains of waters of life. [source]
Chapter Summary: Matthew 19
1Jesus heals the sick; 3answers the Pharisees concerning divorce; 10shows when marriage is necessary; 13receives the little children; 16instructs the young man how to attain eternal life; 20and how to be perfect; 23tells his disciples how hard it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God; 27and promises reward to those who forsake all to follow him
Greek Commentary for Matthew 19:30
The last first and the first last [οι εσχατοι πρωτοι και οι πρωτοι εσχατοι] This paradoxical enigma is probably in the nature of a rebuke to Peter and refers to ranks in the kingdom. There are many other possible applications. The following parable illustrates it. [source]
Matthew 20:16The last first and the first last [οι εσχατοι πρωτοι και οι πρωτοι εσχατοι] The adjectives change places as compared with Matthew 19:30. The point is the same, though this order suits the parable better. After all one‘s work does not rest wholly on the amount of time spent on it. “Even so hath Rabbi Bun bar Chija in twenty-eight years wrought more than many studious scholars in a hundred years” (Jer. Berak. ii. 5c). [source]
Greek Commentary for Matthew 19:30
This paradoxical enigma is probably in the nature of a rebuke to Peter and refers to ranks in the kingdom. There are many other possible applications. The following parable illustrates it. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 19:30
Explaining and confirming Matthew 19:30. [source]
The parable of the house illustrates the aphorism in Matthew 19:30. [source]
The adjectives change places as compared with Matthew 19:30. The point is the same, though this order suits the parable better. After all one‘s work does not rest wholly on the amount of time spent on it. “Even so hath Rabbi Bun bar Chija in twenty-eight years wrought more than many studious scholars in a hundred years” (Jer. Berak. ii. 5c). [source]
This saying was repeated many times (Matthew 19:30; Mark 10:31; Matthew 20:16). [source]