Matthew 20:16 kjv — So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

King James Version

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

— Matthew 20:16, King James Version

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Matthew 20:16 in Other Translations

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Matthew 20 — Context

13

But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

14

Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

15

Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

16

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

17

And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,

18

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,

19

And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

Matthew 20:16 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Matthew 20:16 say?
Matthew 20:16 in the King James Version reads: “So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”
Where is Matthew 20:16 in the Bible?
Matthew 20:16 is found in the New Testament, in the book of Matthew, chapter 20, verse 16.
Who wrote Matthew?
Matthew is traditionally attributed to Matthew (Levi), tax-collector turned apostle. It was written c. AD 50–70.
What is the book of Matthew about?
Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited Jewish Messiah — son of David, son of Abraham, fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Structured around five great teaching blocks including the Sermon on the Mount, it ends with the risen King commissioning his disciples to make disciples of all nations.
What are the major themes of Matthew?
Matthew explores themes including Kingdom of Heaven, Messiah, Fulfillment, Discipleship, Great Commission. These themes shape the meaning and context of Matthew 20:16.
What translation should I read Matthew 20:16 in?
Matthew 20:16 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Matthew 20:16?
Matthew 20:16 reads (KJV): “So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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