Mark 10:31 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first."

◄ Mark 10:31 ►

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

New Living Translation
But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”

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

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

Berean Literal Bible
But many first will be last; and the last, first."

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

New King James Version
But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

New American Standard Bible
But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.”

NASB 1995
“But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.”

NASB 1977
“But many who are first, will be last; and the last, first.”

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

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

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

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

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

Contemporary English Version
But many who are now first will be last, and many who are now last will be first.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first."

Good News Translation
But many who are now first will be last, and many who are now last will be first."

International Standard Version
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first."

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

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

New Heart English Bible
But many who are first will be last; and the last first."

Webster's Bible Translation
But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

Weymouth New Testament
But many who are now first will be last, and the last, first."

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

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and many first will be last, and the last first.”

Berean Literal Bible
But many first will be last; and the last, first."

Young's Literal Translation
and many first shall be last, and the last first.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And many first shall be last; and the last first.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But many that are first, shall be last: and the last, first.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But many of the first shall be last, and the last shall be first.”

New American Bible
But many that are first will be last, and [the] last will be first.”

New Revised Standard Version
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Many who are first shall be last, and the last first.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But many are first who shall be last, and the last first.”

NT Translations

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

Godbey New Testament
But many who are first shall be last; and the last first.

Haweis New Testament
But many first, will be last; and the last, first.

Mace New Testament
but they that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.

Weymouth New Testament
But many who are now first will be last, and the last, first."

Worrell New Testament
But many that are first shall be last; and the last first."

Worsley New Testament
But many that are first shall be last, and the last first.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Rich Young Man
…30will fail to receive a hundredfold in the present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, along with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. 31But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” 32As they were going up the road to Jerusalem, Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were amazed, but those who followed were afraid. Again Jesus took the Twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him:…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Matthew 19:30
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

Luke 13:30
And indeed, some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.”

Matthew 20:16
So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Luke 18:14
I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Proverbs 3:34
He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.

Isaiah 2:11-12
The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. / For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled—

Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.

Ezekiel 21:26
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Remove the turban, and take off the crown. Things will not remain as they are: Exalt the lowly and bring low the exalted.

1 Samuel 2:7-8
The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts. / He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.

Job 5:11
He sets the lowly on high, so that mourners are lifted to safety.

Psalm 75:6-7
For exaltation comes neither from east nor west, nor out of the desert, / but it is God who judges; He brings down one and exalts another.

Psalm 113:7-8
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the dump / to seat them with nobles, with the princes of His people.

Treasury of Scripture

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

Matthew 8:11,12
And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven…

Matthew 19:30
But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

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

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First Great Last

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First Great Last

Mark 10

1. Jesus disputes with the Pharisees concerning divorce;
13. blesses the children that are brought unto him;
17. resolves a rich man how he may inherit everlasting life;
23. tells his disciples of the danger of riches;
28. promises rewards to those who forsake all for the gospel;
32. foretells his death and resurrection;
35. bids the two ambitious suitors to think rather of suffering with him;
46. and restores to Bartimaeus his sight.

Berean Study Bible

But many who are first
This phrase introduces a paradox that is central to the teachings of Jesus. The Greek word for "first" is "πρῶτοι" (prōtoi), which can denote those who are prominent, leading, or of high status. In the context of the Roman Empire and Jewish society, being "first" often meant having wealth, power, or religious prestige. Jesus challenges the societal norms by suggesting that earthly status does not equate to spiritual favor. Historically, this would have been a radical statement, as the Jewish people often equated material blessings with God's favor.

will be last
The Greek word for "last" is "ἔσχατοι" (eschatoi), which can mean the least important or those at the end. This reversal of roles is a common theme in Jesus' teachings, emphasizing humility and servitude over pride and self-exaltation. The concept of the "last" being elevated is a call to discipleship that values self-denial and service to others. In the early Christian community, this teaching would have been a source of hope for those marginalized by society, affirming that God's kingdom operates on principles different from worldly systems.

and the last
Reiterating the term "ἔσχατοι" (eschatoi), Jesus emphasizes the reversal of expectations. This repetition underscores the certainty and importance of this divine principle. In the historical context, those considered "last" would include the poor, the sick, and sinners—those whom Jesus often ministered to and uplifted. This teaching aligns with the prophetic tradition found in the Hebrew Scriptures, where God often chooses the unlikely or the humble to accomplish His purposes.

will be first
The phrase concludes with the promise of exaltation for those who are humble and faithful. The Greek word "πρῶτοι" (prōtoi) is used again, but this time to describe the future status of those who are currently "last." This promise is not just for the future kingdom but begins in the present as believers live out the values of the kingdom of God. Theologically, this reflects the upside-down nature of God's kingdom, where true greatness is found in service and sacrifice, echoing Jesus' own life and mission. This teaching would have been a source of encouragement and motivation for early Christians facing persecution and hardship, reminding them of the eternal rewards that await those who follow Christ's example.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(31) Many that are first shall be last.--It will be noted that St. Mark omits the parable of the Labourers in the Vineyard, which follows in St. Matthew as an illustration of the truth.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 31. - But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. Most fitly does our Lord add this weighty sentence to what has just gone before. For thus he places himself, his grace, and his gospel in direct opposition to the corrupt teaching of the scribes and Pharisees. Perhaps the disciples thought within themselves, "How can it come to pass that we, the poor, the unlearned, the despised, are to sit upon thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel, amongst whom are men far our superiors in station, in learning, and in authority, such as are the scribes and Pharisees, and that rich young ruler just mentioned." Our Lord here teaches them that the future will reveal great changes - that some who are first here will be last there, and some who seem last here will be first there. The disciples, and others like them, who, having forsaken all and followed Christ, seemed to be last in this world, will be first in the world to come - most dear to Christ, the King of Heaven, in their lives; most like to him in their zeal for his cause.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

many [who are]
πολλοὶ (polloi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

first
πρῶτοι (prōtoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4413: First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.

will be
ἔσονται (esontai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

last,
ἔσχατοι (eschatoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2078: Last, at the last, finally, till the end. A superlative probably from echo; farthest, final.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

last
ἔσχατοι (eschatoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2078: Last, at the last, finally, till the end. A superlative probably from echo; farthest, final.

[will be] first.”
πρῶτοι (prōtoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4413: First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.

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NT Gospels: Mark 10:31 But many who are first will be (Mar Mk Mr)