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Mark 10:31

in Mark 10

But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

KJV

But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

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This verse in Mark 10

Commentary

10 notes on this verse
"The first shall be last, and the last first." This is fruitful in meaning and exposition, but does not demand investigation at present; for it refers not only to the wealthy alone, but plainly to all men, who have once surrendered themselves to faith.

This site's exposition

we have left everything and followed You

on Mark 10:28-31

Peter says we have left everything and followed You. Jesus answers with a hundredfold in the present age, along with persecutions, and in the age to come, eternal life.

This site's exposition

many who are first will be last

Clement of Alexandria says the saying is rich in meaning and reaches well beyond the wealthy. It applies to all who have given themselves to faith.

The record, by era

The Medieval Church4 voices

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on Mark · Written before 1107.

proposed

For those who appeared last in the present age, on account of the sorrows and persecutions they endured, will be first in the age to come for their steadfast hope in God. The Pharisees, who were first, became last, and those who left everything and …

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Catena Aurea by Aquinas · Written before 1107.

proposed

But many that are first shall be last, and the last first. For the Pharisees who were first became the last; but those who left all and followed Christ were last in this world through tribulation and persecutions, but shall be first by the hope which is in God.

A commentator

Bede

On the Gospel of Mark · Written before 735.

proposed

"But many that are first shall be last, and the last first. For example, see Judas, who turned from an apostle into an apostate, and you will say that many that are first shall be last; see the thief on the cross, who became a …

A commentator

Bede

Catena Aurea by Aquinas · Written before 735.

proposed

But because all do not accomplish a virtuous course of life with the same ardour as they began it, it is presently added, But many that are first shall be last, and the last first; for we daily see many persons who, remaining in a lay habit, are eminent for their meritorious life; but others, who from their youth have been ardent in a spiritual profession, at last wither away in the sloth of ease, and with a lazy folly finish in the flesh, what they had begun in the Spirit.

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

But many that are first shall be last,.... See Gill on Mat 19:30.
2 more voices on this verse

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

The first thing which demands our attention in these verses, is the glorious promise which they contain . The Lord Jesus said to His apostles, "I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields — and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life." There are few wider promises than this in the word of God.
The first thing which demands our attention in these verses, is the glorious promise which they contain . The Lord Jesus said to His apostles, "I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields — and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life." There are few wider promises than this in the word of God. There is none certainly in the New Testament which holds out such encouragement for the life that now is. Let every one that is fearful and faint-hearted in Christ's service look at this promise. Let all who are enduring hardness and tribulation for Christ's sake, study this promise well, and drink out of it comfort. To all who make sacrifices on account of the Gospel, Jesus promises "an hundred-fold now in this time." They shall have not only pardon and glory in the world to come. They shall have even here upon earth, hopes, and joys, and sensible comforts sufficient to make up for all that they lose. They shall find in the communion of saints, new friends, new relations, new companions, more loving, faithful, and valuable than any they had before their conversion. Their introduction into the family of God shall be an abundant recompense for exclusion from the society of this world. This may sound startling and incredible to many ears. But thousands have found by experience that it is true. To all who make sacrifices on account of the Gospel, Jesus promises "eternal life in the world to come." As soon as they put off their earthly tabernacle, they shall enter upon a glorious existence, and in the morning of the resurrection shall receive such honor and joy as pass man's understanding.

The words behind it

9 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

10 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Matthew 20:16So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”23 worksMatthew 19:30But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.12 worksLuke 13:30And indeed, some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.”8 worksRomans 9:30–33What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;6 worksLuke 18:11–14The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.5 worksActs 13:46–48Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.4 works
The other 4 cross-references, with their words ▾
Matthew 8:11–12I say to you that many will come from the east and the west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.4 worksMatthew 21:31Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.4 worksLuke 7:29–30All the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice. For they had received the baptism of John.3 worksLuke 7:40–47But Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, Teacher,” he said.3 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Matthew 20:16

    So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

    it leads to

    • Matthew 19:30

      But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

      Reached by 2 separate paths from here.

    • Matthew 22:14

      For many are called, but few are chosen.”

    • Luke 13:28–30

      There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are thrown out.

    • Luke 15:7

      In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.

    • Matthew 7:13

      Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

  • Through

    Matthew 19:30

    But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

    it leads to

    • Matthew 20:16

      So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

      Reached by 2 separate paths from here.

    • Luke 13:30

      And indeed, some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.”

    • Matthew 21:31–32

      Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before…

Where this verse is studied

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About Mark

Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee, Rembrandt, 1633, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Public domain.
Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee, Rembrandt, 1633, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Public domain.
Mark: the study guide →Read Mark 10 →
This page draws on 9 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Bede, On the Gospel of Mark; Bede, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Clement of Alexandria, Who is the Rich Man that Shall Be Saved?; J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, Mark; J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Mark (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Mark and Theophylact of Ohrid, Catena Aurea by Aquinas.

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