Luke 13:30
What does Luke 13:30 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 13:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 13:30 means
Jesus concludes this teaching with a powerful paradox: "And behold, there are last who shall be first, and there are first who shall be last." This statement challenges conventional human expectations and hierarchical thinking. It means that those who seem outwardly prominent or privileged in religious or social standing may be spiritually diminished, while those considered insignificant by human standards may hold a place of honor in God's kingdom. It is a warning against presumption and an encouragement to humility.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And behold, there are last who shall be first, and there are first who shall be last.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And behold, there are last who shall be first, and there are first who shall be last.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the last will be first, and the first will be last.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and lo, there are last who shall be first, and there are first who shall be last.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And behold, they are last that shall be first: and they are first that shall be last.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And behold, there are last who shall be first, and there are first who shall be last.
Context
Following the description of people coming from all directions to enter the kingdom in verse 29, this verse offers a poignant and often-repeated maxim concerning spiritual standing. It serves as a concluding summary to Jesus' teaching on the narrow door and the kingdom's inclusivity, powerfully reinforcing that human expectations and status are often inverted in God's eyes. This prophetic statement acts as a final warning and reassurance before the narrative shifts to a direct confrontation with external threats.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 21:28
But what think ye? A man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to-day in the vineyard.
- Matthew 19:30
But many shall be last that are first; and first that are last.
- Matthew 20:16
So the last shall be first, and the first last.
- Matthew 8:11
And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven:
- Matthew 3:9
and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
- Mark 10:31
But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
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