MARK 10:31 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.”
But many who are first will be last, and the last first — the first-last reversal closes the rich man section and is also the theme of the parable of the vineyard workers in Matthew 20. The reversal is not merely rhetorical but eschatological: the present ordering of status (first = great, last = nothing) will be inverted in the kingdom's final accounting. The disciples who left everything are not in the first position they might assume; the rich man who went away sad is not in the last position he might fear.
Church Fathers on Mark 10:31
Although Peter had left but few things, still he calls these his all; for even a few things keep us by the bond of affection, so that he shall be beatified who leaves a few things.
And because it is not sufficient to have left all, he adds that which makes up perfection, 'and have followed thee.' As if he said, We have done what Thou hast commanded. What reward therefore wilt Thou give us?
Read all 6 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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