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 that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
• Mark 10:31But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
• Matt 22:14For many are called, but few are chosen.
• Luke 13:28–30There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
• Luke 15:7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
• Rom 8:30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
• Matt 7:13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
• Rom 9:30What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
• Jas 1:23–25For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
• 1 Th 2:13For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
• Luke 14:24For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
• Rom 5:20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
• John 12:19–22The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
• Matt 21:31Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
• Luke 17:17–18And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
• Luke 7:47Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
• 2 Th 2:13–14But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
• Matt 8:11–12And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

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