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Explanation for:
Matthew
19
:
30
And many that are first, shall be last: and the last shall be first.
10
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"After uplifting the apostles and instilling in them the hope of the reward destined for both themselves and the entire creation, the Lord proclaimed, “Many shall be the first of the last, and the last of the first” (Matthew 19:30). These statements are not limited to a select few; they encompass many individuals and others. Furthermore, they highlight the distinction between the faithful and the rebellious Pharisees, as the Lord previously stated that many from the east and west would come and recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, while the heirs of the kingdom would be cast out (Matthew 8:11, 12)."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"This passage aligns with the words of the Savior, who stated: I have not come to bring peace, but a sword; for I have come to separate a man from his father, a daughter from her mother, and a daughter-in-law from her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies will be those of his own household (Mt. 10:34-36). Thus, anyone who abandons all worldly desires, wealth, and pleasures for the sake of faith in Christ and the proclamation of the Gospel will receive a hundredfold in return and will be granted eternal life. Regarding this statement of the Lord, many embrace the teaching of the millennial kingdom following the Resurrection, believing that we will receive a hundred times what we have sacrificed, along with eternal life as a reward. However, they misunderstand the nature of this promise; while it is indeed noble in other respects, it would be inappropriate to suggest that one who forsakes a wife for the Lord's sake should be rewarded with a hundred in the future. The essence of this message is that anyone who relinquishes the temporal for the sake of the Savior will receive the eternal, which, when measured by worth, will seem small in comparison to abundantly greater blessings. Hence, the apostle also declares that those who have given up merely a modest home and trivial fields in one region are as though they possess nothing, yet they truly have everything (2 Cor. 6:10). According to the new Synodal Russian translation: We have nothing, but we possess everything."},{"author-name":"Anonymous Commentary (Opus Imperfectum)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Initially, the synagogue was invited to embrace salvation but faltered due to a lack of belief. Subsequently, the Church emerged from the frailty of her transgressions, rooted in the law, and fervently sought Christ. Through her faith, she overcame her weaknesses and received the grace that the synagogue had overlooked. Observing the Church not only restored from her vulnerabilities but also adopted as a child of God through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the synagogue approached Christ herself, motivated more by zeal than true faith. As the apostle declares, \\"But of their fall salvation to the Gentiles, to stir up zeal in them\\" (Rom. 11:11). Therefore, the synagogue, initially called, ultimately positioned itself as second in faith, while the Church, called afterward, attained the foundational aspects of salvation before God."},{"author-name":"Marcus the Ascetic","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c894db4cf63c9754af102d_Marcus%20the%20Ascetic.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"When you hear the phrase that the last will be first and the first will be last (Matthew 19:30), recognize its significance regarding those who possess virtues and those who embody love. While love may be seen as the last in the sequence of virtues, it holds the highest esteem among them, surpassing all that precede it."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"In this instance, Christ makes a reference to both the Jewish people and the Gentiles. Those who were initially favored have now been placed at the end, while the Gentiles, once considered outsiders, have taken precedence. To provide a clearer understanding of this statement, He presents the ensuing parable."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Many individuals who appear to hold prominence in this life may find themselves in a position of insignificance in the life to come, while those who seem to be of little importance here may rise to prominence there. This statement serves as a general reminder, allowing those who are favored in this world to guard against pride, and offering hope to those who are marginalized not to lose heart. Specifically, these words are aimed at the Pharisees and others of their kind, who fiercely contest their standing. Given that belief does not come to all at the same moment—some coming to faith earlier and others later—He presents a parable intended to uplift the latter and fortify their spirits. Initially, this parable needs to be fully articulated, as a complete understanding is crucial, before addressing its implications together. While its length may be notable, its comprehension is quite straightforward."},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"The Jewish people held the initial place in faith and righteousness, being the first to encounter the true God; conversely, the Gentiles were considered the last, having once been idolaters, but later transformed to a godly path in the latter days. Many among the Jews, despite being the first, will find themselves last due to their disbelief in Christ, thus facing rejection and exclusion from the kingdom of God. In contrast, many Gentiles, who were initially last, will find themselves first and enjoy the blessings of the heavenly kingdom for their faith in the end times. \\n\\nAn alternative perspective may be considered: Many individuals of high status, such as kings and nobles, who hold the first position in worldly society, may actually be the last in the heavenly realm, based on the measure of Divine glory, due to their minimal good works; meanwhile, those who are poor, uneducated, and looked upon as the least in this life may, because of their remarkable virtues, rise to be first in the eyes of God, enjoying a higher degree of Divine glory. The levels of God's glory are granted to each faithful believer according to the extent of their virtues. \\n\\nIn My Father's house are many dwellings (John 14:2). Just as all people gaze upon the sun yet do not receive the same brightness—those with clearer vision benefit more from the light—similarly, the righteous all experience God, but those who excel in virtue will partake more fully of His glory. However, does the Lord refer to those whom society considers first? Not at all. Many who may appear virtuous and esteemed will find themselves last on Judgment Day, while those deemed last will surpass them. This principle is echoed in the statement: But in the kingdom of heaven his boley is (Matthew 11:11). According to the view of the unfaithful Jews, Jesus Christ was deemed the least, as judged by the stature of John the Baptist."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In order to uplift the Apostles and instill in them the assurance of the reward set by Him and the entirety of creation, the Lord made a significant addition: Many will be first, last, and last first. In the life to come, all will be revealed in their true essence; many who appear deserving of the foremost honors in this world will find themselves in a lower position, while those who, in their meekness, are viewed as the least in this life will take precedence in the Kingdom of Heaven. Judas, who was a member of the Kingdom, along with others heard the promise of sitting on twelve thrones, yet he ultimately became a child of ruin. Conversely, the Ethiopian, considered a foreigner, was honored alongside Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Forerunner of Christ proclaimed this truth, declaring that God is capable of raising up descendants for Abraham from these very stones. Thus, if we stand firm, we should not rely on our own strength, but remind ourselves, whoever believes he stands, take heed lest he fall; and if we find ourselves in a place of despair, let us not lose hope, but encourage ourselves with the thought, can he who has fallen not rise again?"},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The allocation of these rewards is not influenced by the timing of one's conversion to Christ, nor by the status or ignorance of those who have embraced the faith, nor by human assessments regarding who is deemed first or last, nor by individual aspirations for varying degrees of blessedness. Rather, it rests solely on the divine purpose in accordance with faith and righteous deeds. Thus, in that divine evaluation, those who regard themselves as first in this life may find themselves last in the next, and conversely. The Lord may specifically reference the Jews and Gentiles: the Jews, once in the forefront, have now become last, while the Gentiles, who were once considered last, are now at the forefront."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Jewish people, chosen by God above all, viewed themselves as foremost among humanity and anticipated this status would carry over into eternal life. In response to this misconception, Jesus reiterated that those who perceive themselves as first in this life will be last in the life to come, while those who see themselves as last will be first. This truth emphasizes that salvation is not determined by the timing of one's calling or conversion. To illustrate this principle more effectively, Jesus shared the parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)."}]}
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