Matthew 20:16

King James Version with Strong's Numbers

So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Οὕτως ἔσονται οἱ ἔσχατοι πρῶτοι, καὶ οἱ πρῶτοι ἔσχατοι: πολλοὶ γάρ εἰσιν κλητοί, ὀλίγοί δὲ ἐκλεκτοί.

Transliteration

Thus will be esontai the eschatoi prōtoi, and the prōtoi eschatoi: for many gar eisin klētoi, but few de eklektoi.

Grammar Details

• *houtōs*: adverb - thus/so
• *esontai*: future, 3rd plural - will be
• *eschatoi*: nominative, masculine, plural - last ones
• *prōtoi*: nominative, masculine, plural - first ones
• *gar*: conjunction - for
• *eisin*: present, 3rd plural - are
• *klētoi*: nominative, masculine, plural - called
• *de*: conjunction - but
• *oligoi*: nominative, masculine, plural - few
• *eklektoi*: nominative, masculine, plural - chosen/elect

Word Meanings

• *klētoi*: called/invited
• *eklektoi*: chosen/elect/selected

Referenced Verses

• Matt 19:30 : 30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
• Mark 10:31 : 31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
• Luke 14:24 : 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
• Luke 17:17-18 : 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
• John 12:19-22 : 19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. 20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. 22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
• Rom 8:30 : 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
• 1 Thess 2:13 : 13 For 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 13:28-30 : 28 There 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. 29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
• Matt 7:13 : 13 Enter 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:
• Jas 1:23-25 : 23 For 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: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
• Matt 22:14 : 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
• 2 Thess 2:13-14 : 13 But 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: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Rom 9:30 : 30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
• Rom 5:20 : 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
• Luke 15:7 : 7 I 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.
• Luke 7:47 : 47 Wherefore 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.
• Matt 8:11-12 : 11 And 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. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
• Matt 21:31 : 31 Whether 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.