Matthew 19:30 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

NIV: But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

NASB: But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.

CSB: But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

NLT: But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.

KJV: But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

NKJV: But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

The disciples have learned of an astonishing eternal future that waits for them. They have also heard about great rewards for anyone who fully commits to following Christ (Matthew 19:28–29). Jesus concludes that promise with a puzzling statement intended to set up the parable which begins the next chapter.

Jesus says that many who are first will be last, and the last first. The parable will explain the idea more fully, but in general it seems to be this: Those who have lost the most on earth to follow Jesus in this life will receive eternal rewards alongside those who sacrificed much less by comparison. Not all the rewards will be the same, necessarily, but some who were wealthy on earth will be the last in the kingdom and some who were last on the earth will be first in the kingdom. In all cases, God will keep His promises to all, and none will have legitimate reasons to describe God as unfair. Nor will anyone have reason to think their status in life directly reflects their status in eternity.

Matthew 19:16–30 describes Jesus' conversation with a wealthy young man who asks how to attain eternal life. Jesus begins by establishing a standard of goodness, suggesting the man keep all the commandments. When the man says he has done this, Jesus suggests he give up his wealth to follow Him. The man's sad reaction proves he's unwilling to make God the real priority of his life. Using this as an example, Jesus warns that wealth can make it difficult for someone to accept salvation.

Pharisees ask Jesus if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause. Jesus reminds them marriage was designed by God at creation. Divorce, then, is lawful only in the case of sexual immorality. A rich young man asks Jesus what good thing he must do to have eternal life. Jesus insists only God is good. He challenges the man's sincerity by asking him to give all his wealth to the poor and follow Him. The man's refusal demonstrates how easy it is to prefer wealth to dependence on God. In response to the disciples' question, Jesus says salvation is impossible with men but not with God.

Matthew 19 follows Jesus' teachings about temptation and forgiveness in chapter 18. This passage begins with Jesus leaving behind Galilee and heading toward Jerusalem the long way around. Jesus tells the Pharisees that divorce is legal only in cases of sexual immorality. Jesus blesses little children and then answers a rich young man who asks how to have eternal life. The man leaves sad after Jesus challenges him to give his money to the poor and follow Him. Jesus says salvation is impossible with men, but not with God. Chapter 20 contains additional parables and examples, and is the last before Jesus arrives in Jerusalem in the days just prior to His crucifixion.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.

Accessed 4/29/2024 4:32:36 AM