The last shall be first

Cultural  

1. A saying of Jesus; in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus declares that in the world to come, “The last shall be first and the first last.”

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The teaching implies that those who have prospered through wickedness will fail, whereas the good who have suffered for the sake of God will win salvation (see also salvation).

Example Sentences

Quoting the Bible, he says, “The last shall be first.”

From Washington Times

An Episcopalian and a married gay man, Buttigieg pointed to the core Christian concept that “the first shall be last; the last shall be first.”

From Washington Post

These kinds of inversions play a significant part in Christian scripture, which frequently proclaims that with God the first shall be last while the last shall be first; the lowly shall be exalted while the exalted shall be brought low.

From New York Times

“He said that the first shall be last and the last shall be first,” said Sister Price with a triumphant smile.

From Literature

Then came the rest of us: Ruth May with pigtails flying behind her, hurrying mightily because she is youngest and believes the last shall be first.

From Literature