And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

LUKE 13:30KJV
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Luke 13:30 (KJV)

What does Luke 13:30 mean?

Luke 13:30 means that people who seem unimportant or overlooked now ("last") will be honored or given priority in the future, while those who seem important or privileged now ("first") may find themselves in a lesser position. Jesus is teaching that God’s way of valuing people is often the opposite of how people judge status or importance.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd as He travels toward Jerusalem, responding to questions about who will be saved. He uses this phrase to challenge assumptions about who belongs in God’s kingdom, hinting that many who expect to be included may be surprised, and those who seem unlikely may be welcomed. The saying turns human expectations upside down, urging humility and openness to God’s surprising ways.

The Greek behind Luke 13:30

  • "last" (ἔσχατοι, eschatoi): This word means those who are at the end or least important. In this context, it points to people who seem to have little status or favor.
  • "first" (πρῶτοι, prōtoi): This word means those who are at the beginning or most important. Jesus uses it to refer to people who are seen as privileged or honored.
  • The repetition of "are" (εἰσίν, eisin) and "shall be" (ἔσονται, esontai): The Greek uses present and future forms to show a reversal—those who are last now will be first in the future, and vice versa. This highlights the idea of a coming change in status.

Why Luke 13:30 matters

  • Luke 13:30 warns against assuming that current status or religious background guarantees a place in God’s kingdom, which would have challenged many in Jesus’ audience.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage, where Jesus teaches about entering through the "narrow door" and stresses that many who expect to be included may be left out.
  • Luke 13:30 encourages humility and reminds readers that God’s judgment and mercy do not always match human expectations or social rankings.

Where else these words appear

“last” Greek G2078 · used in 49 verses

  • Matthew 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
  • John 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
  • 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

“first” Greek G4413 · used in 98 verses

  • Matthew 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
  • John 1:15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
  • 1 Timothy 6:21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.

“are” Greek G1526 · used in 146 verses

  • Matthew 2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
  • John 7:49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
  • Galatians 4:24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.