So the last will be first, and the first last.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The core message here isn't just about who gets rewarded, but about God's surprising generosity. He doesn't owe us anything, yet he freely chooses to lavish equal blessings on those who serve for a short time as on those who've labored long, challenging our ideas of fairness and rewarding his grace.
So the last will be first, and the first last.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus tells a parable about a landowner hiring workers for his vineyard at different times of the day, paying everyone the same wage regardless of how long they worked. This leads to grumbling from those who worked the longest, highlighting a misunderstanding of the landowner's generosity and the nature of his kingdom. The parable concludes with this statement, emphasizing that God's ways of calling and rewarding are not always aligned with human expectations.
Ever felt like you're working harder than others for less recognition? This parable hits close to home, revealing God's upside-down economy.
Jesus tells the parable of the vineyard owner to illustrate a profound truth about the Kingdom of Heaven: God’s justice and rewards don't always align with human expectations.
The Master's Generosity
The owner hires workers at different hours – early morning, third hour, sixth, ninth, and even the eleventh hour (just before quitting time). When evening comes, he instructs his foreman to pay them all the same amount: a full day’s wage. This isn't about giving less to some, but about the owner’s freedom to be exceptionally generous.
The Grumbling Workers
Those who started first are understandably upset. They feel their long, hard day of labor deserves more than those who only worked an hour. Their perspective is based on human fairness: more work equals more pay. But the owner corrects them, reminding them of their agreement and asserting his right to be generous with his own money. He isn't robbing them; he's blessing others abundantly.
This parable challenges our ingrained sense of fairness. God’s kingdom operates on grace, not just merit. He can bestow blessings and rewards in ways that surprise us, honoring those who come later or serve for shorter periods with the same, or even greater, favor.
Why are 'many called' but 'few chosen'? This distinction cuts to the heart of how we respond to God's invitation.
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The concluding phrase, 'for many are called, but few are chosen,' adds another layer to the parable’s meaning. It’s not just about God’s generosity, but also about human response and God’s selection.
The Universal Invitation
'Many are called' refers to the widespread invitation to God's kingdom. The gospel message goes out to multitudes, much like the vineyard owner calling workers throughout the day. This call is inclusive, reaching people at different times and in various circumstances.
The Select Few
'Few are chosen' points to those who are ultimately selected for a special place or reward within the kingdom. This doesn't necessarily mean only a few will be saved, but that a select group will receive particular honors or responsibilities, or perhaps that not all who hear the call will truly embrace it with their whole being. The commentators suggest this highlights those selected for pre-eminent service or a distinguished reward.
This distinction emphasizes that while God’s invitation is broad, the outcome depends on how individuals respond. Not everyone who is invited will be 'chosen' for the specific purposes or honors God has in mind. It’s a call to embrace the invitation wholeheartedly and with diligence, recognizing that God’s selection is sovereign and purposeful.
Understand the original words
eschatoi · Greek Adjective
A term often used in the Gospels to refer to the reversal of earthly expectations in the kingdom of God, where those neglected or lowly are exalted by God.
prōtoi · Greek Adjective
Refers to those who hold status, power, or perceived privilege; in Jesus' teaching, this term often warns against relying on earthly status for spiritual standing.
This verse directly addresses the shifting social and religious dynamics occurring as the Gospel message, initially embraced by Jewish followers of Jesus, rapidly spread to the Gentile world. It highlights how those on the perceived 'margins' of religious tradition were being welcomed into God's kingdom, often surpassing the initial recipients in their faith and zeal.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry and Teaching
During Jesus' ministry, he taught extensively, often using parables to illustrate the nature of God's kingdom. He interacted with disciples, crowds, and religious leaders.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Farewell Conversations with Disciples
In the final stages of his ministry, Jesus engaged in deep conversations with his disciples, addressing their aspirations, misunderstandings, and the future of his kingdom.
c. AD 33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus was crucified and resurrected, events central to Christian faith and the fulfillment of God's plan.
c. AD 33 - AD 40s
Early Spread of the Gospel to Gentiles
Following Jesus' ascension, the apostles, particularly Peter and Paul, began to preach the gospel message to non-Jewish people, initially facing resistance and debate within the early church.
c. AD 40s - AD 60s
Apostle Paul's Missionary Journeys
Paul extensively traveled throughout the Roman Empire, establishing churches among Gentiles and articulating a theology of salvation by grace through faith, not by adherence to Jewish law.
This verse directly echoes Matthew 20:16, stating that those considered 'last' in earthly terms (like the Gentiles) will enter God's kingdom, while those seen as 'first' (like the Jews) might be excluded.
1 Samuel 16:7This passage highlights God's perspective, where He looks at the heart, not outward appearances or status, aligning with how the 'last' in the parable are valued as highly as the 'first' by the landowner.
Romans 9:24-26Paul explains that God calls not only Jews but also Gentiles, showing a reversal of perceived order and emphasizing God's sovereign choice, which parallels the 'last' being called and treated as 'first'.
Philippians 2:3-4This passage encourages humility and looking to the interests of others rather than self-importance, a crucial attitude for those who might be 'first' but risk becoming 'last' if pride sets in.
Galatians 3:28This verse declares unity in Christ, where distinctions like Jew or Gentile, slave or free, are erased. This spiritual equality reflects the landowner's equal reward for all his laborers, regardless of their hours worked.
barnesMatthew 20:16: "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."
So the last shall be first ... - This is the moral or scope of the parable. "To teach this it was spoken." Many that, in the order of time, are brought last into the kingdom, shall be first in the rewards. Higher proportionate rewards shall be given to them than to others. "To all justice shall be done." To all to whom the rewards of heaven are promised they shall be given. Nothing shall be with…
calvinMatthew 20:1-16: "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard."
- For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder, who went out at break of day to hire laborers into his vineyard. 2. And having made an agreement with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3. And having gone out about the third hour, he saw others standing idle in the market-place. 4. And he said to them, Go…
The core message here isn't just about who gets rewarded, but about God's surprising generosity. He doesn't owe us anything, yet he freely chooses to lavish equal blessings on those who serve for a short time as on those who've labored long, challenging our ideas of fairness and rewarding his grace.
Jesus tells a parable about a landowner hiring workers for his vineyard at different times of the day, paying everyone the same wage regardless of how long they worked. This leads to grumbling from those who worked the longest, highlighting a misunderstanding of the landowner's generosity and the nature of his kingdom. The parable concludes with this statement, emphasizing that God's ways of calling and rewarding are not always aligned with human expectations.
Jesus tells a parable about a landowner hiring workers for his vineyard at different times of the day, paying everyone the same wage regardless of how long they worked. This leads to grumbling from those who worked the longest, highlighting a misunderstanding of the landowner's generosity and the nature of his kingdom. The parable concludes with this statement, emphasizing that God's ways of calling and rewarding are not always aligned with human expectations.
"So the last will be first, and the first last.”" — The core message here isn't just about who gets rewarded, but about God's surprising generosity. He doesn't owe us anything, yet he freely chooses to lavish equal blessings on those who serve for a s…
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Last reviewed October 2026