A simple question

[IamPJ]

What does Jesus mean when He says, "the last shall be first and the first shall be last"? Jesus says this a couple of times and it has always puzzled me.

[GlennO]

PJ

Mat 19:30
(30) But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

19:30 The Lord closed His remarks with a warning against a bargaining spirit. He said to Peter, in effect, “Anything you do for My sake will be rewarded, but be careful that you are not guided by selfish considerations; because in that case, many who are first will be last, and the last first. This is illustrated by a parable in the next chapter. This statement may also have been a warning that it isn't enough to start out well on the path of discipleship. It's how we finish that counts.
Before leaving this section we should notice that the expressions ”kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” are used interchangeably in verses 23 and 24; therefore, the two terms are synonymous.

Believer's Bible Commentary

[Elijah's Mantle]

""""But many who are first shall be last, and the last shall be first ""'

Ive always understood that means that Israel was first and the church is last
in relation to time

But in respect to position the last shall be first

[GlennO]

It can be both IMO

[mattfivefour]

I think you are all right in specifics, but that the general statement is important. And that is that all those whom the World thinks are something ... or who think they are something in their own eyes ... the rich, the powerful, the proud and the lofty ... will find themselves last in the Kingdom (should they ever attain to it through Christ). And those humble ones whom the world thinks of as nothing and who think of themselves as nothing will find themselves seated first with Christ.

[IamPJ]

Thank you guys. I now have a better understanding of what He meant. This forum is great.

[GlennO]

Matt -

Did you mean the Plymouth Brethren commentary missed the mark?