Matthew 19:28 to 20:16 is a formal lesson on last/first. Matthew recorded four great words Jesus used in this teaching. I have used Strong’s Concordance for many years, recently I found Mounce’s Greek Interlinear to help in my studies, like this one. Which for me is great because the New Testament can be Greek in my mind at times. Tools like these can expand your study, but they are just two of many helpful resources. Go outside your box every now and then and let the Spirit expand your knowledge.

The four words that caught my attention have limited use in the New Testament, are important to the tone of the lesson, and/or I thought they were funny.

Palingenesia – Strong: G3824 is used by Jesus, in verse 28, to introduce and set the tone for His answer to Peter and to give a timeframe for His teaching. Regeneration is maybe the best translation for this word, but you may see new birth, renewal, or renovation in some translations. It is used twice in the New Testament; the other time is in Titus 3:5. Jesus includes the disciples and gives it a heavenly tone, but contrasts this against the thought that part of the receiving will be done here on earth.

Hama – Strong: G260. In 29:1 it is “early in the morning”. Hama is used 10x in the New Testament, in most of the other verses it is “at the same time”. Since the landowner is hiring workers at various times that is okay. If you reflect on the second usage, I believe it can change how view the Father’s desire and consistent practice of getting laborers into His field. 

Misthoō – Strong: G3409. It means to hire out. This word is used only twice in the New Testament- Matthew 20:1, 7. These refer to the first and the last workers to be hired, the third, sixth, and ninth-hour workers are offered payment and told to go. The first ones the owner went to hire and the last men no one had hired.

Ouchi – Strong: G3780. It appears in Matthew 20:13 and means “not or no”, the no is emphasized. The first hired are complaining and the owner says he is not unfair on the wages. Ouchi is used many times in the New Testament.

I believe these four great words, that Jesus uses, demonstrate how important the first to last and last to first concept is in the Kingdom.