Devine Scripture

Matthew 19:30

What does Matthew 19:30 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 19:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 19:30 means

Jesus concluded this discourse with a profound paradox: 'But many shall be last that are first; and first that are last.' This proverb encapsulates a central theme of God's kingdom, where conventional human values and distinctions are often inverted. It warns against spiritual pride and presumption (those who seem 'first' in their own eyes) and offers hope to the humble and overlooked (those who seem 'last'), emphasizing that God's judgment and reward differ from human estimations.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But many shall be last that are first; and first that are last.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But many shall be last that are first; and first that are last.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But a great number who are first will be last, and some who are last will be first.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and many first shall be last, and last first.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And many that are first, shall be last: and the last shall be first.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But many first shall be last, and last first.

Context

This verse serves as a crucial concluding proverb, immediately following Jesus's comprehensive promises of reward in verse 29. It acts as a final cautionary word, tempering any presumption based on sacrifice or status, and reminding both disciples and readers that God's ultimate assessment of worth and reward may invert human expectations, preparing for further parables on this theme.

v.29And every one that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life.

v.30This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 13:30

    And behold, there are last who shall be first, and there are first who shall be last.

  • Romans 9:30

    What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who followed not after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith:

  • Matthew 20:16

    So the last shall be first, and the first last.

  • Hebrews 4:1

    Let us fear therefore, lest haply, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it.

  • Matthew 21:31

    Which of the two did the will of his father? They say, 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.

  • Romans 5:20

    And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:

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