Matthew 20:16

Jesus concludes that the last will be first and the first last, for many are called but few chosen. The Kingdom overturns merit-based rankings and rests on God's gracious choosing.

Cross-references · 18

• Matt 19:30But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
• Mark 10:31But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
• Matt 22:14For many are called, but few are chosen.”
• Luke 13:28–30There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are thrown out.
• Luke 15:7In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.
• Rom 8:30And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
• Matt 7:13Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
• Rom 9:30What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;
• Jas 1:23–25For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror,
• 1 Th 2:13And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as the true word of God—the word which is now at work in you who believe.
• Luke 14:24For I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will taste my banquet.’”
• Rom 5:20The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
• John 12:19–22Then the Pharisees said to one another, “You can see that this is doing you no good. Look how the whole world has gone after Him!”
• Matt 21:31Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.
• Luke 17:17–18“Were not all ten cleansed?” Jesus asked. “Where then are the other nine?
• Luke 7:47Therefore I tell you, because her many sins have been forgiven, she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”
• 2 Th 2:13–14But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth.
• Matt 8:11–12I say to you that many will come from the east and the west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

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