What Does Matthew 20:16 Mean?
So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are picked out.
Key words are shown with the Hebrew or Greek and what each word meant.
Selah Decoded Version The Selah Decoded Version renders what the Hebrew and Greek words meant to the people who first heard them.
King James wording
King James Version
So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.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
“picked out” in this verse is eklektoi. 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 strips, and makes rich; he lays low, and lifts high. He raises the bowed from the dust, and lifts the one in want from the ash heap, to seat them among the openhanded, and to make them hold the seat of weight. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he sets the world upon them.He has pulled the mighty down from their seats, and lifted up the low.But many who are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.THE THREAD
For many are called, but few are picked out.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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