Meaning of Matthew 20:16

This verse, "So the last will be first, and the first will be last," is the concluding statement of Jesus' parable of the laborers in the vineyard, found in Matthew 20:1-16. The parable illustrates God's unconventional and gracious distribution of reward, which often subverts human expectations and hierarchies. It highlights that God's kingdom operates on principles of grace and mercy, not solely on merit or the duration of service, challenging the disciples' (and by extension, our own) assumptions about fairness and reward based on worldly standards of achievement or seniority.

Context and Background

The parable is told in response to Peter's question about the disciples' reward for leaving everything to follow Jesus. Peter asks, "We have left everything and followed you. What then will be our reward?" (Matthew 19:27). Jesus' answer is twofold: first, he assures them of a future inheritance and leadership roles in the renewed world (Matthew 19:28). Second, he tells this parable to illustrate the nature of God's kingdom and the principles governing reward, which are not always linear or predictable according to human logic. The parable describes a landowner hiring laborers at various times throughout the day, yet paying them all the same wage. This provokes grumbling from those hired early who felt they deserved more for their longer hours. Jesus' concluding statement directly addresses this grumbling and the underlying assumptions about justice.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Sovereignty and Grace: The primary message is that God is sovereign in His dealings and dispenses grace according to His own will and purpose, not according to human calculations of worth or labor. The landowner's generosity is an act of his prerogative, not an obligation based on the laborers' service.
• Subversion of Human Hierarchies: The verse directly challenges the natural human tendency to value those who are first, oldest, or have toiled the longest. In God's economy, perceived "last" or "least" can be elevated, and those who consider themselves "first" may find their position re-evaluated.
• The Nature of the Kingdom of Heaven: The parable and its conclusion reveal that the Kingdom of Heaven is characterized by generosity, equity (not necessarily equality of outcome, but equity of treatment based on divine will), and a redefinition of value.
• Humility and Contentment: The parable calls for humility in those who have served longer and contentment with God's gracious provision, rather than envy or resentment towards others who have received a seemingly disproportionate benefit.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this verse is a profound reminder that our salvation and our standing before God are not earned through our works or the length of our religious service. It emphasizes the gift of salvation through Christ, received by faith. For believers, it encourages a posture of dependence on God's grace and a rejection of spiritual pride or self-righteousness. It also calls us to rejoice in God's mercy shown to others, even if their spiritual journey or perceived contributions differ from our own. In practical application, it challenges us to serve God out of love and gratitude, not out of a desire to earn favor or to be superior to others. It promotes unity and mutual encouragement within the Christian community, recognizing that God alone is the judge and dispenser of rewards.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This principle of reversal is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, God often chooses the younger or less obvious individual for His purposes (e.g., Jacob over Esau, David as the youngest son). In the New Testament, Jesus frequently inverted societal norms, elevating the poor, the marginalized, and the repentant sinner. The entire narrative of redemption hinges on this reversal: humanity, by its own efforts, is "last" and incapable of reaching God, but through Christ's sacrifice, those who were spiritually "last" are made "first" in God's sight. The resurrection itself is a supreme example of this reversal, where death (the ultimate "last") is overcome by life, and Christ, who was crucified, is exalted to the right hand of God.

Analogies

• The Olympic Games: In human terms, we might think of the gold medalist as "first." But in God's economy, someone who has struggled their entire life with sin and finally finds Christ in their later years, and lives faithfully for a short time, might receive the same eternal reward as someone who followed Christ from childhood, emphasizing God's grace over duration.
• A Generous Employer: Imagine an employer who, after a day's work, gives every employee the same generous bonus, regardless of when they started. The ones who worked the longest might feel cheated, but the employer's intent is to show abundant generosity to all.
• A Gardener: A gardener might plant seeds at different times, and some plants mature and bear fruit sooner than others. Yet, the gardener tends to all with equal care, and the final harvest is a testament to the gardener's overall plan and effort, not just the first plants to bloom.

Relation to Other Verses

This principle is echoed in several other biblical passages:

• Philippians 3:7-8: Paul speaks of counting his former achievements and status as "loss" for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord. This is a personal application of the reversal of values.
• 1 Samuel 16:7: "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'" This highlights God's different criteria for evaluation.
• Luke 18:14: In the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, Jesus states, "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." This is a direct statement of the reversal principle applied to piety.
• Romans 9:16: Paul writes, "So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy." This reinforces the idea that God's choices are not dictated by human effort or desire.