Matthew 20:16

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

(NIV) "So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
(NASV) So the last shall be first, and the first last."
(ESV) So the last will be first, and the first last."
(HCSB) "So the last will be first, and the first last."
(1901 ASV) So the last shall be first, and the first last.
(CEV) Jesus then said, "So it is. Everyone who is now first will be last, and everyone who is last will be first."
(NKJV) Footnote>>NU-Text omits the last sentence of this verse.
(RSV) So the last will be first, and the first last."
(NAB-Roman Catholic) Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last."
(NWT-Jehovah’s Witnesses) In this way the last ones will be first, and the first ones last.”


Textus Receptus
outwV esontai oi escatoi prwtoi kai oi prwtoi escatoi polloi gar eisin klhtoi oligoi de eklektoi


Hort Westcott
outwV esontai oi escatoi prwtoi kai oi prwtoi escatoi


Corrupted Manuscripts
This verse is corrupted in the following manuscripts:
Aleph - Sinaiticus - Fourth Century
B - Vaticanus - Fourth Century
L020 - Rome (present location) - Ninth Century
Z035 - Dublin (present location) - Sixth Century


Affected Teachings
The second part of this verse is the qualifier for God’s salvation plan. When that portion is removed, it gives the indication that there is going to be universal salvation. The Bible teaches very clearly that God is the one who chooses His Elect for salvation. (2 Th 2:13 KJV) But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: The Gospel call goes out through all the world and many hear the Gospel but only those who are chosen from the foundations of the world will respond to the Gospel and become saved. So when the second part of this verse was removed, it also removed the method whereby God will be accomplishing His salvation plan until the last day. “Many be called but few chosen,” which means we send forth the Gospel to everybody we can but only those whom God has qualified to hear the Gospel and be saved, will become saved. Universal salvation or universal atonement is never taught in the Bible. The removal of the qualifier does not negate the truth that it omits.

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