What is the meaning of the biblical saying "the last shall be first"?

Question

It's part of something that I have to answer for school and I can't figure it out.

Answer 1

If you read the context, (Matthew 20:1-16) it's an illustration where a man goes and hires someone (early in the morning) to do work for him and agrees to pay him a set amount of money(one denarius).  Halfway through the day the man hires someone else to do the exact same type of work for the exact same amount of money(one denarius) (but for only half a day).  Then like an hour before quitting time, this man goes and finds another person,hires him to do the exact same type of work for the exact same amount of money(one denarius), but for only an hour...  Basically the man who works all day, the man who works half a day, and the man who works one hour all get paid the same agreed upon amount.  

I believe the point of the illustration has to do with serving God.  For instance someone who earnestly serves their whole life could expect to recieve the same reward as someone who earnestly serves a day.  It's not unfair, because both persons agreed to the conditions (or chose out of free will to be in God's service)...

I hope that helps...

Answer 2

THe people who were last in life [[ for example , the poorest, the dumbest , the modest, the giving ]] They will be first when it comes to the final judgement they will be first in line instead of last

Answer 3

i thought long and hard what that means and really it is the greatest saying ever humanity should learn to love and help its fellow man. if u can't figure out what it means good luck because it means love ur fellow human because beauty is not in beauty it's in u becuase looks do not matter society does not matter money does not matter. people can only help people. and if u can't get the meaning of this then humanity is doomed.

Answer 4

im just guessing but i think it means like the people who werent thought about and were like losers or something would be thought of first to enter heaven? because they know how to be humble and they were better people than those who were privilaged and ignored the needs of others?