What does the Bible say about the last shall be first?

In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus tells a parable illustrating the principle that the last shall be first. This teaching follows an earlier discussion about the difficulty of the rich entering the kingdom of heaven, where Peter questions what reward awaits those who have followed Jesus. The parable depicts workers hired at different times, yet each receives the same pay, showing that God's grace is not based on our efforts but on His sovereign will. This surprises those who feel entitled based on their labor, illustrating how God’s kingdom operates contrary to human expectations.