What Does Matthew 20:16 Mean in the King James?
So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The one at the furthest edge can become first, and a summons is not the same as being selected.
THE MEANING
Your present place is not a verdict: those at the edge can be brought to the front, while those who seem first can end at the edge. The invitation reaches many, while being chosen names a narrower distinction. Being summoned is not the same as being selected.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that a head start, visible rank, or long-held first place guarantees a lasting place of honor.
THE ROOT
ἔσχατοι
eschatoi
GROWS FROM
ἔσχατος
eschatos
last, farthest, utmost
The Greek word can name the last in a sequence and the farthest point. The verse moves the one at that outer edge to the front, so “last” carries a position at the margin as well as a low rank.
ALSO GROWS
eschaton: the last or farthest thing; the end
ἔσχατον
The same word family can name a sequence’s endpoint, giving “last” a horizon as well as a rank.
eschatōs: at last, finally
ἐσχάτως
This form places the same word family at an endpoint in time, echoing the verse’s reversal of position.
κλητοί
klētoi
GROWS FROM
καλέω
kaleō
to call, summon, invite
“Called” carries the sense of being summoned or invited. The verse says this call reaches many, then distinguishes it from being chosen; invitation and selection are not identical.
ALSO GROWS
klēsis: calling, invitation
κλῆσις
This noun shows the call as an invitation or summons, not by itself a final place of honor.
klētos: called, invited
κλητός
This is the singular form of the word used here, keeping the emphasis on being summoned.
ἐκλεκτοί
eklektoi
GROWS FROM
ἐκλέγω
eklegō
to choose or select out
The word translated “chosen” carries the idea of selection. Beside the broad call, it marks a distinct status rather than simply repeating that someone has been invited.
ALSO GROWS
eklogē: choice, selection
ἐκλογή
This noun makes the selecting sense explicit, illuminating the distinction between a call reaching many and a selection involving few.
eklegomai: to choose, select
ἐκλέγομαι
This verb names the act behind the “chosen” ones and clarifies that the verse speaks of selection.
THE PATTERN
Places that appear fixed can be reversed: the lowly are raised while the high are brought down.
The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and he hath set the world upon them.He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.THE THREAD
For many are called, but few are chosen.This verse repeats the Greek pair κλητοί (klētoi, called) and ἐκλεκτοί (eklektoi, chosen). Here, the pair follows the first-and-last reversal, adding a distinction between a broad summons and being selected.
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